Why Do Pothos Revert?

Pothos is one of the most popular houseplants, and it’s easy to see why. They can be grown in hanging baskets, on trellises, or trained up trees. These plants are straightforward to care for, but there are some things you need to know about them before using them in your house or garden.

If you have ever owned a pothos, you may have noticed that sometimes the leaves will change color or revert to their original shape after being shaped into something else, like a heart or an arrowhead. This article will discuss why pothos may revert to their original form and what you should do to prevent this.

As we delve into the heart of this article, allow me to introduce the products I recommend for nurturing thriving Pothos plants. These are items I’ve evaluated, reviewed, and confidently endorsed for both you and my consulting clients.

Costa Farms Live Pothos Plant
9.7/10
  • Elevate Your Space: This Pothos plant transforms interiors, adding flair and starting conversations. Potted for convenience, it enhances aesthetics.
  • Breathe Easy: Pothos plants purify air, eliminating toxins. Create a healthier environment with this trailing plant.
  • Boost Mood & Wellbeing: Pothos enhances mood, creativity, and reduces stress. Studies confirm its calming effects, perfect for home or office.
 
 
Giraffe Creation 9 inch Plant Pots
9.5/10
  • Self-Watering Convenience: Enjoy up to two weeks of worry-free watering with the deep reservoir, perfect for vacations or busy schedules.
  • Effective Drainage System: Dozens of drainage holes and a bottom reservoir prevent root rot and overwatering, promoting plant health.
  • Modern Aesthetic: Its minimalist design complements any decor, showcasing your plants beautifully in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Professional Liquid Pothos Plant Fertilizer
9.1/10
  • Vibrant Growth: Our 3-1-2 blend boosts nutrient absorption for healthy plants. Essential for leaves, stems, blooms.
  • Indoor Perfect: For Pothos, Epipremnums, houseplants - fuels growth, lush leaves, vibrant colors.
  • Effortlessly Effective: Liquid concentrate mixes easily, promotes growth, strong roots, lush foliage. Trusted small business brand, ideal for plant enthusiasts.
 
 
 

Why Do Pothos Revert?

Pothos revert mainly to react to the lack of chlorophyll or low light conditions. Generally, plants need sufficient light and chlorophyll to perform photosynthesis and grow. When you keep a pothos in a shady room at your house, which is the case for most pothos owners, the plant uses the reversion process to stay alive.

Pothos plant grown indoors

Have you just repotted your pothos? Click here to check what you should do after repotting this plant.

What Causes Pothos to Revert?

There are several reasons why your pothos may be reverting. But the lack of light is the main reason why pothos reverts back to their original shape or color. In fact, pothos will revert back to their original color if they are not given enough sunlight. The leaves will start to turn yellow if the plant is not getting enough light, and this can also cause it to revert back to its original shape.

In addition, these plants naturally grow as vines and will revert back to their original shape if not trained correctly or given enough support to climb up on. If the plant is allowed to grow without some support, it can cause its leaves to fall off since it’s not used to supporting its weight.

Temperature fluctuations can also cause pothos to revert. If the temperature in your home becomes too hot or cold, it can shock the plant, which will cause leaves to fall off.

The lack of chlorophyll is another reason behind pothos reverting back. Chlorophyll is the substance that gives plants their green color; if it’s not present, the leaves will turn yellow.

The cloudy weather may also cause pothos to revert. Generally, the pothos plant does best when the weather is warm and sunny.

Costa Farms Live Pothos Plant
  • Elevate Your Space: This Pothos plant transforms interiors, adding flair and starting conversations. Potted for convenience, it enhances aesthetics.
  • Breathe Easy: Pothos plants purify air, eliminating toxins. Create a healthier environment with this trailing plant.
  • Boost Mood & Wellbeing: Pothos enhances mood, creativity, and reduces stress. Studies confirm its calming effects, perfect for home or office.
 
 

At Which Time of The Year Do Pothos Go Dormant? Click here to get the answer.

What Should I Do When My Pothos Revert?

If your pothos has reverted to their original shape, it doesn’t mean you have to get rid of the plant. You can try to correct the shape of the leaves by gently bending them back into place. Make sure you don’t break any of the leaves in the process.

In addition, you can give your plant a little more sunlight and ensure it’s getting enough water. If the leaves are still reverting to their original shape, you may need to take the plant out of its pot and re-pot it into a larger container.

Pothos plants can be rooted very quickly, so if your leaves have started turning yellow or dropping off, you may want to root some cuttings in the water and place them inside. If any leaves fall off during this process, you can put them in the soil, and they will root very easily.

If you have difficulty keeping your pothos from reverting, you may want to take the plant outside for a few weeks. This will allow your pothos to get used to their surroundings and help prevent them from reverting.

In addition, you may want to keep your plant in a room with natural sunlight and ensure the temperature is between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you follow the steps above, your pothos will be able to grow into the beautiful plant that it was meant to be!

Giraffe Creation 9 inch Plant Pots
  • Self-Watering Convenience: Enjoy up to two weeks of worry-free watering with the deep reservoir, perfect for vacations or busy schedules.

  • Effective Drainage System: Dozens of drainage holes and a bottom reservoir prevent root rot and overwatering, promoting plant health.

  • Modern Aesthetic: Its minimalist design complements any decor, showcasing your plants beautifully in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Wondering about the Best Time to grow Pothos? Here is the exact answer.

How Do I Keep My Pothos from Reverting?

You can do several things to help prevent your pothos from reverting to their original shape or color. But the best way to avoid pothos reverting is by training them. Training this vine-like plant takes very little time, but it’s essential for keeping the leaves healthy and green.

The best way to train your pothos is by starting with a young plant and training it up the trellis, tree, or hanging basket as it grows. If you have an older pothos that has started to revert, don’t worry! You can still train it into the shape you want. Start at the top of the plant and work your way down, pinching off any leaves that are not in the desired shape.

Exposing your pothos to sunlight is another measure that helps keep this plant from reverting. Generally, you need to make sure your plants are getting enough sunlight. In the case of pothos, you can place them in a spot where they will get at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day.

If the temperature in your home becomes too hot or cold, move your pothos to a warmer or cooler spot. Ensure it’s not placed in direct sunlight when the weather becomes too hot.

Professional Liquid Pothos Plant Fertilizer
  • Vibrant Growth: Our 3-1-2 blend boosts nutrient absorption for healthy plants. Essential for leaves, stems, blooms.
  • Indoor Perfect: For Pothos, Epipremnums, houseplants - fuels growth, lush leaves, vibrant colors.
  • Effortlessly Effective: Liquid concentrate mixes easily, promotes growth, strong roots, lush foliage. Trusted small business brand, ideal for plant enthusiasts.
 
 
 

Read this article to find out the 6 main Causes Why Your Pothos Stems Split

Conclusion

Pothos plants are straightforward to care for and can be trained into the shape you want. However, if they’re not given the proper care, they can revert to their original form or color. You can do several things to prevent this from happening, such as providing your plant with enough sunlight and water, keeping the temperature in your home stable, and training it into the shape you want.

Read This Article Before Rooting in Pothos in Water.

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