Pothos care: light, water, and pet safety

Epipremnum aureum

Care table

LightLow light to bright indirect light. Handles low light but grows faster and keeps variegation in bright indirect light.
WaterWater when the top inch dries. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
HumidityAverage room air is fine
RepottingSpring to early summer, when roots circle the pot or grow out the drainage hole. Go up 1 to 2 inches in pot width.

Winter care

Growth slows. Let the soil dry a little further between waterings, stop fertilizer until spring, and keep it away from cold drafts and heat vents.

Pet safety

Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Golden Pothos

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

  • Yellow lower leaves, soggy soil: Watering before the soil dried, or a pot with no drainage.
  • Long bare stems, small leaves: Not enough light.
  • Variegation fading to green: Too little light.

Illinois Extension, Pothos

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool

Guides

Sources