Droopy Pothos, or “Devil’s Ivy”, is a beautiful plant that has been around for ages. Pothos thrives in the most inhospitable conditions. It was used by ancient cultures as an important medicine.
Its deep roots anchor itself into the ground for support and its glossy green waxy leaves trap moisture from the air.
These plants can survive just about anywhere, and will keep their beautiful green foliage even when kept in the dark. That doesn’t mean that they are invincible, however.
The pothos plant can develop droopy leaves, and maybe even yellow leaves, if it is neglected enough. If you want to find out how you can save a droopy pothos, keep reading!
Here, we are going to go through everything you need to know to keep this wonderful plant happy and healthy.
What Causes The Leaves To Droop?
Under Watering
Like many plants, it is easy to underwater the pothos plant. When it is under watered, the leaves will wilt, or droop.
This plant does very well in soil that is consistently kept moist, so when it becomes too dry, the plant suffers.
The leaves may turn brown in addition to drooping, so it’s important to always check the soil between watering. Bone dry soil will ultimately kill your plant.
Depending on where your plant is, what the humidity and lighting are like, you may need to water your plant more or less frequently. You can check if the soil is dry by sticking a finger in it.
If the soil’s top layer is dry, you need to water the plant. Be sure to get rid of any excess water after you water the plant, or else you put it as risk of root rot.
Ensure that the plant pot has adequate drainage and has drainage holes to allow excess water to flow out. If you allow the plant to sit in waterlogged soil, it could get a fungal infection, which could ultimately kill the plant.
If you have left the plant for too long, there is a chance that when you do water it, the water will simply run through the soil.
When this happens, you can either give the plant small amounts of water so that it doesn’t seep through, or let the pot sit in water for an hour or so. That way, all the water it needs will be absorbed from the bottom up.
You will notice that the leaves of the pothos will quickly perk up water it has been watered. After a day or two, it will be looking happy and healthy again.
Dry soil is a killer for this plant, and the moisture level always needs to be high enough. If you struggle with your plants, try and keep a watering schedule to keep track of when you water your plant.
However, you should always check the soil in between, in case the potting mix dries out too much.
Overwatering
Too much water will also cause a number of issues for your pothos. As previously mentioned, if the potting mix becomes water logged, you put your plant at risk of developing root rot.
Droopy leaves will be the first warning, and you will be able to tell if this is the issue if the soil is soggy when you stick your finger in. You lay also notice yellow leaves is this is an issue.
If you determine that your pothos is suffering due to overwatering, you can either choose not to water it until it reaches the right level of moisture, or repot it.
If you decide to repot your plant, ensure that you use a well draining potting mix, and have at least one drainage hole. Use a terracotta pot to help with drainage if you are really worried, too.
Remember, if you repot your pothos into a pot that is too large, it is still at risk of the soil becoming soggy and root rot occurring. The pot needs to be just the right size for the plant, or excessive water will get stuck in the pot.
Having at least one drainage hole will help the situation, but there should be multiple. Additionally, the well-draining soil should be a mix with perlite to ensure that the plant is happy.
Try to keep the moisture level just right for your plant so that it flourishes.
Related: Why Are The Leaves Turning Yellow? 8 Reasons Why Your Pothos Is Changing Color
Moisture Levels
Moisture levels can also be applied to misting. You can mist your pothos to help the vines grow, but this shouldn’t be overdone. Misting will help promote aerial root growth and help keep the leaves looking amazing.
To help the humidity levels around your pothos, keep it away from heaters and radiators, and mist it whenever it looks like it could do with some humidity. You can just use a spray bottle to do this.
Too Much Sunlight
If your pothos is in a place with too much direct sunlight, the leaves are likely to burn. These plants do well in most light conditions, including indirect sunlight or indirect light in general.
To keep a healthy plant, reduce any excessive bright light. Any bright sunlight could cause damage, such as burning.
Cold Weather
If your pothos is exposed to cold weather, its leaves could turn brown and shrivel up. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done about this, but the plant will begin growing new foliage within a week or so.
It is best to try to keep the plant away from drafts and inside, especially them the temperatures drop.
Related: Pothos Leaves Curling, its Causes and Easy Ways to Fix Leaf Curl
Infestations
Pothos plants are susceptible to infestations from pests such as aphids, spider mites, mealy bugs, white flies, thrips and whiteflies. When these insects damage your potted plants, they may also harm other plants in your garden. You should take care of any infestations immediately.
Avoid allowing pets near your pots and remove anything that might encourage ants, as these insects are attracted to sugar sources.
Insects will occasionally eat your pothos’s leaves. While this doesn’t usually hurt the plant, it does make it hard to grow properly.
This problem generally only occurs during colder months. Some people recommend using a mixture of vinegar and water as a deterrent, while others simply clean off the leaves sometimes or use neem oil.
Final Thoughts
Pothos makes beautiful indoor plants, especially when cared for properly. They can thrive in a wide range of climates and light levels, and are a relatively low-maintenance plant.
As long as you are watering frequently to promote healthy growth, this queen of tropical plants will be a stunning centerpiece. Avoid bad drainage by getting good potting soil, and don’t overdo it with the watering.
If you follow the guide above, your pothos will be happy and healthy for as long as it lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Scientific Name For The Pothos Plant?
Epipremnum aureum is the pothos plant’s scientific name.
Why Is My Pothos Droopy?
Too much light, over or under watering, pests, cold weather, and insufficient humidity levels could cause your pothos to droop and have yellow leaves.
What Do Healthy Pothos Leaves Look Like?
Healthy pothos leaves will be dark green and uniform in shape. Their edges and tips will not curl under.
How Can I Prevent My Pothos From Getting Yellow Leaves?
You can prevent your pothos from getting damaged by light, moisture, and cold weather. By ensuring that there is no excess sunlight, keeping the soil evenly moist.
What Humidity Level Do Pothos Like?
Pothos plants can do well in places with low humidity levels, but would do getter with some humidity. Humid environments are ideal for this plant, but not necessary.
What Do Brown Spots On My Pothos Leaves Mean?
Brown spots on your pothos leaves means that you may be under or over watering your plant, It may also be getting too much sunlight.
How Often Should I Water My Pothos?
You should try to keep to a watering schedule with your pothos, and water it at least once every week. Like most tropical plants, the pothos likes moist, but not wet soil.
Soggy soil should be present, and make sure that you are using a well-drained soil. Frequent watering is perfect for this plant to keep its green leaves.
What Does An Overwatered Pothos Look Like?
An overwatered pothos will have droopy or wilted leaves. It may also have root rot if it has been left sitting in water due to poor drainage.
What Is Root Rot?
It is a fungal disease. Root rot is when your plant gets rotten roots. The bacteria are then spread through the healthy roots, causing the leaves to wilt and die.
