How Often to Water a Pothos
Epipremnum aureum · Difficulty: Very easy
Care Snapshot
| Light | Low to bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Soil | Well-draining all-purpose potting mix |
| Humidity | Average home humidity is fine (30-50%) |
| Temperature | 18-29°C (65-85°F) |
Want a personalized schedule based on your pot size and light? Try the free watering calculator.
Signs of Overwatering
Yellowing leaves that feel soft or mushy, black spots on the stems, and soil that stays wet more than a week after watering are the clearest signs a pothos is getting too much water. The roots are quite rot-prone once the soil stays soggy.
Signs of Underwatering
A thirsty pothos droops dramatically and the leaf edges turn crispy and brown. The good news is pothos bounces back within hours of a good soak, which makes it a forgiving plant to learn on.
Adjusting for the Seasons
Growth slows noticeably once temperatures drop below 16°C, so cut watering back by roughly half in winter. A pothos in a low-light room will always need less water than one in bright indirect light, regardless of season.
Pro Tip
Check the top 3-4 cm of soil with a finger before watering - if it's still damp, wait a few more days. Pothos vines will also tell you what they need by how taut or limp they look.
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