Have you ever considered adding a pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) to your collection? These plants are known for being easy to care for and grow, making them an excellent choice for plant beginners. They require minimal attention and are highly forgiving, able to recover from a lot of neglect.
However, watering pothos plants can be challenging, as they are sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering.
I have grown several pothos variants over the past years, and I want to share everything I know about watering these plants. So, read on to get some helpful tips.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How Should I Water My Pothos?
Pothos need very little water. It is recommended that pothos be watered every two weeks or every week if your plants look scorched. But the proper watering schedule for pothos depends on the size of the pot, the type of soil you use, the light your pothos gets, and the temperature around the plant.
As someone who has cared for pothos plants, I can confirm that using room temperature water is the best way to water these plants. When the water is too cold, it can shock the plant’s roots and make it harder for the plant to absorb the water. On the other hand, water that is too hot can also damage the plant.
Using room temperature water allows the plant to soak up as much water as it needs without putting unnecessary stress on it.
From my personal experience, I’ve discovered that using tap water to water pothos plants can do more harm than good. This is because tap water often contains harmful chemicals like chlorine, which can harm your pothos plant’s health. So what can you do instead?
Most gardening experts highly recommend distilled water for pothos plants because it’s free of contaminants and can help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil more effectively.
Additionally, mineral water can also be beneficial for pothos plants! The minerals present in mineral water can help your plants grow healthy and robust. Just be sure to choose a brand with a lower sodium concentration to prevent the plant from drying out.
So next time you water your pothos plant, consider using distilled or mineral water instead of tap water. Your plant (and you) will thank you for it!
If you want to learn more about watering pothos, you can check the following video:
Wondering about using coffee grounds for pothos? Click here to learn more about this.
How Often Should I Water Pothos Plant?
Pothos plants like to be watered often, but not constantly. It will help if you water them when the top inch of the soil feels dry. As a rule of thumb, you can water your pothos once a week during the summer and once every two weeks in winter.
But how can you tell when it’s time to water your pothos plant? A moisture meter is a handy tool that can help you accurately check the soil moisture level. This instrument consists of a metal probe with a pointed end that you insert into the soil. The probe measures the moisture content of the soil and displays the reading on a scale.
To use a moisture meter, loosen the soil with a shovel or trowel and insert the probe into the soil, pushing it down until it hits the bottom of the pot. Then, read the moisture level on the scale and water your pothos plant when the needle indicates that the soil is dry.
If you don’t have a moister meter, then you can do like me and keep an eye on the plant’s soil moisture level. It’s crucial to water the plant only when the soil feels dry to the touch. At this time, water the plant and wet the soil thoroughly until water begins draining out of the pot’s bottom.
It’s also essential to avoid placing the pothos plant in direct sunlight, as this can cause the water to evaporate quickly, leaving the plant thirsty.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your pothos plant stays hydrated and healthy.
Can Pothos Grow While Fully Submerged In Water? Click here to find out the answer.
How Often to Water Pothos in Winter?
It is best to water the pothos plant once every two weeks during winter. Most plants go dormant during this period and need less water and nutrients. But you can usually check the soil moisture using your finger or a moisture meter to check whether your plant needs water.
Dormant plants should be watered less frequently during winter because they are not actively growing and do not need as much water. In the case of pothos, you can leave it without water for a few weeks, if you want, without harming the plant.
Do You Want to Train Your Pothos to Climb? Click here to learn how.
How to Tell if Pothos Needs Water?
It can be challenging to determine when my pothos plant needs water. But there are a few simple ways to tell when it’s time to water the plant.
One method is to use my finger or a moisture meter to check the soil. If the soil feels dry or the moisture meter indicates dryness, I know it’s time to water my pothos plant.
Another way you can tell if your pothos plant needs water is by observing the leaves. If they are wilted, this is a clear sign that the plant needs water. However, it’s essential to water the plant before the leaves start to droop, as this indicates an imminent need for water.
You can also check for other signs that my pothos plant needs water. For example, if the leaves are tightly closed, blocking light, or have a shiny appearance, indicating retained water, it’s probably time to water the plant. Similarly, if the plant is leaning or appearing “broken” in its growth, this could be a sign that it needs more water.
Paying attention to these signs will help your pothos plant stay hydrated and healthy.
Can Pothos Grow without Drainage? Here is the answer.
Can You Over Water Pothos?
Pothos plants can suffer from overwatering, which can be deadly if not addressed promptly. When a pothos is overwatered, the roots will rot, causing the plant to stop growing and the leaves to fall off. Rot can spread upward, killing the plant.
I have also seen overwatering causing sudden leaf drops for some of my pothos plants. This caused many of my pothos plants to die.
Other consequences of overwatering for pothos plants include:
- Deficient nutrient uptake from the soil.
- Impaired photosynthesis.
- Diminished transpiration.
- Restricted respiration.
- Lack of reproduction.
- Slowed growth.
Click Here to Learn Exactly how Often You Should Water Pothos Plant.
Can Pothos Recover from Overwatering?
Pothos plants can recover from overwatering. You should only remove the plant from the container and let it dry in a warm place. While the plant is drying, you can try to dry the soil or prepare a new pot with a fresh potting mix to re-pot the plant thoroughly.
After the pothos dry, you should check for rot signs and remove them. Then, you can transfer the plant back to the fresh potting mix.
Are you dealing with a Leggy pothos? Here are 5 Reasons why this could be happening.
How to Save Overwatered Pothos?
If you have an overwatered pothos plant, the first thing you should do is assess the damage. If the soil is soggy and the plant is wilting, the plant likely has root rot which can kill plants. If the plant is still green and has no wilting, it may need to dry out.
To save an overwatered pothos plant, remove it from the water. If the pot is heavy, you can place it in a sink and fill it with water until the pot is covered. Then, gently tip the pot to release the plant and soil into the sink.
You can hold the plant and soil above the sink if the pot is light and pour the water out. Once the plant is removed from the water, it should enter a state of relaxation.
When saving an overwatered pothos plant, It may be necessary to apply heat, but not for long.
Are you dealing with Yellow Pothos Leaves? Here are some Tips for Reviving Your Plant.
Do Pothos Need Distilled Water?
Distilled water is an excellent choice for watering pothos because it is free of minerals and other contaminants that can build up in the soil and damage plants over time. Distilled water also has a neutral pH, which is ideal for most plants. However, distilled water does not have the minerals we find in regular water. Therefore, distilled water should be used with adequate liquid fertilizer and mineral-rich soil.
Are You Hesitating About Growing Pothos Outdoors? Click here to find the answer.
Pothos Overwatered vs. Underwatered
Pothos plants should not be either overwatered or underwatered. Overwatering a pothos can cause the plant to rot, while underwatering can cause the leaves to turn brown and crispy. It is essential to water your pothos plant properly to keep it healthy.
Is Your Pothos Plant Safe for Your Feathered Friends? Find Out Now!
