Pothos is a beautiful houseplant, and it’s perfect for beginner gardeners. This versatile vine is very sturdy, and requires minimal maintenance—however, there are a few things you should know before taking one into your care.

Knowing how to water your pothos and the best soil to use can ensure your plant thrives and that it doesn’t fall victim to potentially disastrous issues like root rot or scale. Here, we spoke with houseplant experts and professional gardeners about the ins and outs of caring for pothos so you’ll have a vibrant home garden in no time.

Pothos Varieties

There are many pothos varieties out there, but a few have become more popular than others in recent years. If you’re looking to pick up a pothos plant, it will likely fall into one of the below categories.

• Golden pothos: You’ve certainly seen golden pothos in homes, bookstores, and gardens everywhere. Known for its heart-shaped leaves and slightly gold hue, it’s a beautiful houseplant that’s become a staple for many.
• Manjula pothos: Distinguished by the white streaks on its leaves, manjula has more variation than many other types of pothos. Some leaves will appear more white or marbled than others; it also has wider leaves than many other pothos plants.
• Jade pothos: The jade pothos resembles the golden pothos and has beautiful, heart-shaped leaves. However, this version is a more solid green color.

Care Instructions

Regardless of the pothos variety you choose for your own home, they will all require roughly the same care routine. Follow these simple steps for a happy, healthy plant.

Water

Watering is integral for plant growth, of course—but sometimes, less is more. “Pothos is a very easy plant to grow, but its number one killer is overwatering,” says Karen Musgrave, an associate at Hicks Nurseries.

There’s not a set cadence as to when you should water your pothos plant—experts recommend checking the soil first. “Stick your finger about an inch down into the soil,” adds Musgrave. “If it feels dry, water. If you’re not sure, wait and check again tomorrow.”

When watering, Lisa Steinkopf, founder of Houseplant Guru, recommends pouring the water until it runs through the bottom of the pot. After about 30 minutes, remove the excess water from the bottom so your plant isn’t left standing in it.

Soil

Pothos isn’t too picky when it comes to soil, but make sure to find one with good drainage. “Choose a mix that contains a blend of ingredients such as peat moss, earthworm castings, and perlite,” says Musgrave.

Fertilizer

Pothos isn’t picky about fertilizer; any all-purpose houseplant food will work well. Musgrave recommends fertilizing during the March through October period.

Sunlight and Temperature

Pothos grow best in medium, indirect light, according to Musgrave—although it can tolerate low light as well. “Full sun next to a south window would probably be too much light and may burn the leaves if they have a lot of white areas,” says Steinkopf.

In terms of temperature, pothos enjoy the same weather as people: average humidity and a climate that stays above 50 degrees. Just make sure your plant isn’t too close to a heater or an air conditioner.

Repotting

Your pothos won’t need to be repotted too often, but it’s important to transfer it once it outgrows its previous container. “I would repot my pothos when it has roots coming out of the drainage holes,” says Steinkopf. “I also find if I have to water it more often, then it may be time to increase its pot size.”

Don’t select a pot that’s too big—Musgrave recommends a container that’s just two inches larger than the original. Once the plant is in its new home, add potting soil and press down to remove any air pockets. Then, water well.

Pruning

You don’t have to prune your pothos, but it can help with its overall shape. According to Steinkopf, pothos will sometimes lose older leaves. “This leaves a ‘naked’ stem with leaves only at the end—it looks straggly,” she says. “I cut the stem back to about an inch from the soil line, and it will sprout a new stem.”

Propagating

Getting out the pruning shears is a necessary step for propagating. Neither of the experts we spoke with recommended growing pothos from seed, so propagation is a great way to grow more of these beautiful plants at home.

“Snip a piece of your existing pothos about 3 to 6 inches below where a leaf meets the stem,” says Musgrave. “Place the cutting in water until roots develop, and then plant in soil.”

Common Problems

As previously mentioned, the most common problem for pothos is overwatering. You can often tell when a pothis is getting too much water by its yellowing leaves. Other issues include mealybug and scale. Steinkopf recommends wiping these pests off, then using an insecticidal soap or adding a systemic insecticide to the soil.