Pothos is one of the fastest-growing houseplants – given the right care and growing conditions, it can easily grow to several feet high. No wonder it is such a rewarding plant for beginners and experienced gardeners alike!
But exactly how fast does Pothos grow? And what are the tips and tricks to growing this vining plant faster? Here, we discuss the factors that affect Pothos’ growth, and how you can grow this plant beautifully to impress your house guests!
Are Pothos plants fast-growing?
One of the many reasons that make Pothos an attractive houseplant for novice gardeners is how quickly they can grow. Under the right conditions, you can easily propagate cuttings from this plant and turn your single Pothos into several houseplants in a relatively short time.
Pothos plants come in several different varieties. If you provide the right care and nutrition, the fastest-growing variety can grow from 12 to 18 inches every month. So, within a few years, you can be the proud owner of a giant, bushy Pothos in your indoor landscape.
Keep in mind, though, that some variegated Pothos varieties can grow more slowly. This is because these varieties tend to have lower levels of chlorophyll, which is what creates the white spots on their leaves. Their slower growth is actually a trade-off to achieve this unique pattern, which makes them more special than the faster-growing cultivars.
Some of the slow-growing Pothos varieties include:
- Glacier Pothos
- Marble Queen Pothos
- Snow Queen Pothos
- NJoy Pothos
- Manjula Pothos
If you prefer the fast-growing varieties, then you should choose a Jade Pothos or a Golden Pothos.
How fast does Pothos grow?
Growing a Pothos can be a rewarding experience for any gardener, whether you are a novice or well-experienced because you can turn this evergreen into a bushy houseplant with minimal effort.
Although it might take a few years before a Pothos reaches its maximum size, you should see it growing about four to six feet during each growing season. If you are propagating cuttings, you can expect the roots to grow about an inch per month, and your little Pothos should start growing leaves in the fourth or fifth month.
If you do not regularly prune your Pothos, the trailing vine can grow up to six feet wide and 40 feet high. But of course, its size might also depend on the variety and the container you have chosen for it. You can choose to grow your Pothos in a hanging basket from which it can cascade up to 20 feet downward, or let the vines crawl up your walls and reach up to 30 feet.
If you prefer your Pothos not to grow such long vines, cut it back a few inches from time to time to keep it to your desired size – especially if you are short on space in your living room or garden.
Pothos growing seasons
As with other tropical houseplants, Pothos plants grow best during the spring and summer when the temperature is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that these plants are native to regions with warm and humid climates, so it is best to mimic these growing conditions to keep your tropical vines happy.
If you live in an area that has a tropical climate all year round, then caring for your Pothos will seem like a breeze – your plant can enjoy growing throughout the year without worrying about the seasons.
However, if you are growing your Pothos in a region with proper winters, you will need to protect it from the cold temperatures. The best time for it to grow will be spring and summer, and when the colder months arrive, it will stop growing and become dormant. You should reduce watering and avoid fertilizing your Pothos during this season.
Common reasons your Pothos is not growing
Despite it being notoriously hardy, the Pothos plant is not immune to certain plant problems. If you find your plant growing more slowly than before, it might be time to do some investigation!
There are many possible reasons your Pothos may struggle with stunted growth, and we have summarized the most common culprits below:
- Your Pothos is going through its dormant period. As mentioned previously, most houseplants stop growing during the winter season, so do not worry if your Pothos does not show signs of growth at this time. Leave it alone for now, until spring and summer arrive.
- Your Pothos is underwatered. Growing a hardy plant like Pothos does not necessarily mean it will enjoy extended periods of neglect. Plants need water, too, to keep growing. Amid your busy lifestyle, do not forget to give your Pothos a drink or you may end up nursing a dying plant!
- Your Pothos is overwatered. This is the most common mistake among inexperienced growers – they are over-eager and water their plants without checking the soil condition first. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and quickly kill your plant, so make sure not to water your Pothos until you are sure that the top layer of soil has dried out.
- Your Pothos is sitting in poorly-drained soil. Just like overwatering, soil that holds excess water for extended periods can decay the roots quickly. Make sure to choose a soil mix with a loose texture and good aeration.
- Your Pothos is pest-infested. Sap-sucking insects can hamper your plant’s growth by feeding on the juice of its leaves and damaging them in the process. There are many treatments available to get rid of these bugs, depending on the type of infestation. Neem oil usually works for almost any type of pest. Otherwise, you could also combine this treatment with insecticidal soaps for better results.
- Your Pothos is lacking essential micro- and macronutrients. Growing the plant indoors limits it to the nutrients available in its pot. This is in contrast to its native environment, where it thrives in soil that is rich in organic matter. To boost its growth, make sure to feed your Pothos with a high-quality fertilizer every two to three months during the spring and summer.
- Your Pothos is not receiving enough light. Aside from slower growth, you will also notice leaf discolorations in light-deprived Pothos. We recommend choosing a location where your plant can soak in bright, indirect sunlight for several hours a day, or invest in artificial grow lights to encourage faster growth year-round.
How to make your Pothos grow super fast
The key to growing a healthy and bushy Pothos is to establish a proper care routine. Aside from speedy growth, a healthy Pothos is also more immune to pests and diseases. As long as this tropical vine is provided with the right growing conditions, maintaining its beauty throughout the year will be extremely easy.
Here are some of the sure-fire ways to grow your Pothos quickly:
1. Feed your Pothos with a good-quality fertilizer
Using a balanced liquid fertilizer is one of the best ways to encourage faster growth in your Pothos. Feed it once every two weeks during the spring and summer to keep it lush and bushy. That said, remember that Pothos are not heavy feeders, so we recommend diluting your fertilizer to half-strength before using it. To prevent root burn, do not fertilize your Pothos more than the suggested dose.
2. Use well-draining soil
The right potting mix for your Pothos should be loose and well-aerated. The ideal mix should contain perlite, coco peat, and regular potting soil. Avoid using garden soil, as this tends to retain a bit too much water and might drown the plant’s roots. Sandy soil is also not a good medium for Pothos, as this does not retain moisture well enough.
3. Do not overwater your Pothos
Overwatering is a surefire way to kill almost any houseplant, including your Pothos! To get your watering habits right, make sure to check the soil first using the finger test. Feel the top two inches of soil to assess whether it is moist or dry, and only give your Pothos a drink when the soil has dried.
That said, do not leave your Pothos in bone dry soil for an extended period! Underwatering can also be bad for your plants, and if your Pothos is not getting an adequate amount of water, it will lose its turgidity and begin to wilt.
4. Provide exposure to indirect sunlight
Pothos grows best under bright, indirect sunlight, and it likes about six to eight hours a day. Avoid leaving it in the path of direct sunlight, since the intense heat can be too harsh on its leaves and cause sunburn.
East-facing windows or covered patios are some of the best locations to receive bright yet gentle sunlight. Windows facing south might work, too, as long as you use drapes or curtains to filter the sunlight.
If you cannot find a good location with indirect sunlight, you can use grow lights instead. These artificial lights will help take care of your plant’s light requirements no matter the season.
5. Protect your Pothos from pests
No one likes dealing with a pest infestation! To avoid these tiny bugs from freeloading on your beautiful plants, we recommend spraying them with neem oil once in a while. Also remember that a healthy and happy plant is more resistant to pest infestations.
6. Maintain a humid environment
Your Pothos grows best in a humid environment that mimics its natural habitat. Although there are many ways to boost your humidity indoors, the most reliable method is to install a humidifier. Avoid misting the leaves, especially at night, since this method can encourage fungal growth. If you have multiple tropical plants at home, we recommend grouping them all in one location so that together they can increase the humidity around themselves.
Conclusion
Your care routine makes a huge difference when it comes to growing almost any houseplant, including the tropical Pothos. These tropical evergreens are relatively fast growers, so if you provide them with the right growing conditions, you will be the proud owner of a large, lush indoor plant in the course of just a few years!
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