Common Pothos Problems and How to Solve Them

Pothos, also called Devil’s Ivy (but don't worry, it's not really a devil!), is a super popular houseplant. It's strong and cleans the air! But sometimes, even pothos plants get a little grumpy. Is your usually bright green pothos looking a bit… sad? Maybe you see yellow, brown, or yucky spots? Don't worry! This guide will help you figure out what's wrong and make your leafy friend happy again.

What's Wrong with My Pothos?

Let’s find out what makes pothos plants sad. If you spot these signs early, you can fix the problem fast!

1. Yellow Leaves on My Pothos: What's Happening?

Yellow leaves usually mean your pothos needs some help. It could be:

• Too Much Water: Imagine drinking too much juice! The roots are drowning!
• Not Enough Water: Like being thirsty all day! The plant needs a drink!
• Not Enough Food: Plants need yummy food (nutrients) to grow strong.
• Too Much Sun or Not Enough Sun: Like being outside too long without sunscreen, or staying inside all day.

Look closely at the yellow – is it everywhere, just in spots, or on the old leaves? These clues help us figure out the problem!

2. Brown Tips on My Pothos: Dry, Dry, Dry!

Brown tips usually mean your pothos is too dry. It's like having chapped lips!

• Not Enough Humidity: Humidity is like moisture in the air. Some houses are too dry.
• Tap Water: Our tap water can have stuff plants don’t like. Let it sit out for a day to get rid of it before watering.
• Too Much Plant Food: Too much fertilizer can hurt the roots and cause brown tips.

3. Curly Pothos Leaves in India: Hot and Thirsty!

If you live in India, you know how hot it can get! Curly leaves mean your pothos is probably thirsty and needs more moisture in the air. Water it when the top of the soil feels dry (not soggy!). Try using a spray bottle to mist your plant, too.

4. Yikes! Root Rot! (And What To Do)

Root rot is a yucky disease caused by too much water. It's like having soggy, smelly feet!

• Signs: Leaves are droopy (even when the soil is wet!), the soil smells bad, and roots are mushy and brown.
• This is serious! If you don't fix it, your pothos can die.

Fixing My Pothos Problems: Plant Doctor Time!

Now that we know the problems, let’s fix them!

a. Fixing Root Rot: Saving the Day!

• Take the plant out of the pot. Gently shake off as much old soil as you can.
• Cut off the bad roots. Only keep the healthy, white roots.
• Put the plant in a new pot with fresh soil. Make sure the pot has holes so the extra water can drain out!

b. My Pothos is All Skinny! (And How to Make it Full)

If your pothos has long, bare stems, it needs more light. It's like trying to grow tall in the dark!

• Give it more light! But not direct sun, which will burn the leaves.
• Trim the stems. Trimming helps new growth sprout out!

c. Pothos in Low Light: Can it Still Grow?

Pothos are tough, but they still need some light. Even in a shady room in India, there's usually some light. Put your pothos near a window, even if it's not sunny.

Why Golden Pothos Leaves Fade in Winter (India)

In the Indian winter, there is less sunlight, which can make your Golden Pothos leaves turn pale. If you can, give your plant some extra light with a special plant light.

d. Bugs on My Pothos! Eek!

In India, common pests that bother pothos include tiny spider mites and fluffy mealybugs.

Getting Rid of Spider Mites (Naturally!)

To get rid of spider mites the natural way, first, give your plant a good shower with the hose. Then, spray the leaves with neem oil every few days until the bugs are gone.

e. Best Soil for My Marble Queen Pothos (India)

Use a soil mix that lets the water drain out easily. A good mix is: potting soil + perlite + coco coir.

Making New Pothos Plants! (It's Easy!)

Water Propagation: Making Baby Pothos!

• Cut a stem with a little bump (node) on it.
• Take off any leaves near the bump.
• Put the stem in water. Make sure the bump is underwater.
• Wait for roots! They will grow in a few weeks. Then you can plant it in the soil.

Feeding Your Pothos! (Plant Food!)

a. Best Plant Food for Pothos (India)

The best plant food is a liquid fertilizer with the numbers 20-20-20.

b. DIY Liquid Fertilizer for Pothos

You can make your own plant food by mixing compost tea with water.

By watching your pothos and using this guide, you can help it grow big and strong! Happy growing, little plant friends!