Are you growing pothos and you are wondering what kind of soil this plant likes? If yes, then read this article to get a detailed answer to this question.
The following paragraphs have included everything you need to know about pothos soil preferences.
Table of Contents
What Soil Do Pothos Like?
Pothos plants are easy to grow and do well in a variety of soils. A potting mix that is well-draining and slightly acidic is ideal for this plant. Also, soil that is high in organic matter can help pothos grow at its full potential. However, pothos will not do well in soil that is very low in nutrients.
As a plant owner, I’m sure you know the importance of using suitable soil for your pothos plant. Well-draining soil is essential to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged, leading to root rot and potentially killing the plant. But did you know that slightly acidic soil can also benefit pothos plants? In fact, somewhat acidic soil can help prevent the development of fungus, which can positively impact the growth of the plant.
Additionally, pothos prefers to grow in nutrient-rich soil. This soil contains all the nutrients a plant needs to grow, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which helps the plants thrive and grow comfortably. However, if the soil is not balanced, it may not help the plant grow fully.
A well-balanced soil can improve the appearance of pothos plants, provide more support, and help protect the plant against various diseases. It’s also important to remember that rich soil has an ideal balance of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, which become essential parts of the plant and help it absorb and utilize water and oxygen.
And let’s not forget the importance of soil aeration properties for your pothos plant. Aerated soil helps to improve the circulation of air and water, which can enhance the plant’s overall health and prevent root rot.
Paying attention to these factors ensures that your pothos plant has the right conditions to grow and thrive. With suitable soil and care, your pothos plant will be a beautiful and healthy addition to your home.
If you want to prepare your pothos potting mix at home using only two ingredients, checkout this video:
Wondering about the Best Time to grow Pothos? Here is the exact answer.
What Is the Best Potting Mix for Pothos?
The best pothos soil mix can be made with equal parts of regular potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite. When making such a soil mix, it is vital to use a balanced combination of organic and inorganic materials.
A balanced combination of organic and inorganic materials in a soil mix is necessary because it helps to create healthy, fertile soil. Organic materials help to add nutrients to the soil, while inorganic materials help to improve the soil’s structure.
Also, adding perlite and vermiculite to the mix helps aerate the soil, improving drainage and preventing the soil from becoming compacted. Adding these materials can also help improve the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients.
Here is how you can prepare a potting mix for your pothos step by step:
1. Choose a pot or container for your pothos and make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom.
2. Fill the container with soil.
3. Add a handful of perlite or vermiculite to the soil.
4. Mix everything thoroughly.
5. Put your pothos in the potting mix and water it.
Read this article to find out the 6 main Causes Why Your Pothos Stems Split
Does Pothos Grow Faster in Water or Soil?
Pothos grow faster in soil than in water because, in the soil, the plant can get more nutrients. In fact, when pothos is grown in water, it will feed only on minerals. However, if pothos is grown in soil, it will get nutrients from the soil and water minerals. So, increasing your pothos in soil has a double benefit.
But pothos can root faster in water than in soil. This drives many people to start by rooting pothos in water initially and then transferring it to the soil once it starts rooting. Here is a step-by-step process of how to transfer a pothos from water to soil:
1. Prepare a pot that fits your pothos and fill it with soil.
2. Moist the soil until it becomes soft and muddy.
3. Get the rooted pothos cuttings out of the water and rinse them gently.
4. Dig a hole in the soil to prepare some space for the cuttings.
5. Place each cutting into one of the holes and cover them with soil while leaving one inch between the top of the ground and the top of the plant.
Read This Article Before Rooting in Pothos in Water.
Can I Plant Pothos Directly Into the Soil?
Yes, pothos can be planted directly into the soil. However, it is essential to ensure that the soil is well-drained and that you use a pot or container with drainage holes. You may also want to add some gravel or stones to the bottom of the pot to help with drainage.
Preparing the soil before placing the plant is also a good idea. Removing debris and adding organic matter, like leaves, compost, or sand, will make the soil more suitable for the plant to grow.
You can follow the steps below if you want to grow your pothos directly into the soil:
- Choose a healthy pothos cutting with at least one node and two leaves.
- Choose a large, wide pot with a drainage hole in the center.
- Fill the pot with soil and place the pothos in it.
- Place your pothos under indirect sunlight, then water them thoroughly and deeply.
Dealing with Slow-Growing Pothos? Here Are 10 Causes and 6 Solutions to Try.
Is Succulent Soil Ok for Pothos?
Succulent soil is not explicitly recommended for pothos, but it should be fine. This type of soil is specifically designed for succulents, which have different needs than most other plants. It is usually light and porous, with good drainage, which is suitable for pothos. It also tends to be nutrient-rich, which is beneficial for pothos. If you have a potting mix that already contains succulent soil, then it’s ok to use it for growing pothos.
Succulent soil is also lighter than regular soil, which makes it the best choice for smaller pots and tubs. Furthermore, succulent soil can increase the number of plants grown in a given space as long as the pots are big enough.
One of the significant disadvantages of succulent soil that may make it inappropriate for pothos is its porous nature. In fact, porous soils tend to dry too rapidly and don’t retain moisture for a long time.
Another drawback of succulent soil is that it tends to be prone to mold and bacterial growth. Generally, soil high in organic matter, like cactus soil, can easily create a hospitable environment for mold and bacteria to grow.
Why Do Pothos Revert? Click here to find the answer.
Can Pothos Be in Cactus Soil?
Pothos can be grown in cactus soil, but it is not the best mix for growing this plant. In fact, pothos will grow in most potting soils as long as they are well-draining. The primary condition that needs to be met is that the soil is very porous.
Cactus soil is fast draining, making it difficult for plants to get the water and nutrients they need to survive. You can improve the quality of cactus soil by incorporating sand, gravel, or gravel grit into it. Also, you can mix some perlite when planting to make cactus soil more adequate for pothos.
The advantages of using cactus soil for growing other plants are that it is fast-draining and pH-neutral. These characteristics make cactus soil ideal for growing succulents and other drought-tolerant plants.
Cactus soil is also known for being high in salts which makes the amount of water available to the plant minimal. This high salt concentration can also be toxic for some plants.
Is your Pothos Dripping Water? Here are the causes and the solutions.
Is Miracle-Gro Potting Mix Good for Pothos?
The Miracle-Gro Potting Mix is a great potting mix for pothos plants as it is nutrient-rich and can retain moisture for a long time. Also, this potting mix allows smooth root aeration, which is necessary for growing pothos. Miracle-Gro potting mix is pre-mixed, so it is easy to use and requires no additional ingredients or calculations.
The only thing you may not like about the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix is that it comes with synthetic fertilizer. This may be an advantage as the fertilizer can help the little plant grow a robust root system easily and quickly. However, if you are against the use of synthetic fertilizer, then this product might not be for you.
Are your Pothos Cuttings Rotting? Here are 10 Causes and 5 Solutions.
Summary
Finding the best potting mix for pothos plants can be challenging as this plant has specific requirements regarding soil drainage, acidity, and many other factors. As a rule of thumb, usually aim for slightly acidic and well-draining soils to grow pothos.
Also, growing pothos in soil dedicated to other plants, such as cactus or succulent soil, is ok, but it might not be the best choice. In fact, different plants have different preferences for soil, so it is vital to find the best mix for your plants.
So, that was everything for this article. We hope that we helped you determine which potting mix is best suited for growing pothos plants and provided some tips on creating the perfect environment for this plant.
Wondering why pothos are so popular? Click here to find the answer.
