Why Does Pothos Grow Slowly Sometimes? 10 Causes and 6 Solutions

Do you have a pothos that grows slowly? If yes, then you don’t have to worry because we have a variety of solutions to this problem.

Pothos is a beautiful houseplant with heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines. It’s easy to care for, but sometimes it can grow slowly or stop growing entirely. You might think you need to grow a new plant and throw out the old ones – but you don’t need to! There is hope for your struggling pothos. Read on, and you will learn how to fix your slow-growing pothos!

Why Are My Pothos Growing Slow?

When your pothos plant grows slowly, it’s probably because of low light conditions, a wrong watering process, or a lack of nutrients. In some cases, overcare can also cause pothos to experience slow growth. For example, if you re-pot your pothos frequently or overuse fertilizers, you may slow down the growth cycle of this plant.

Prior to delving into the primary subject of this article, let me introduce my suggested products for growing vibrant Pothos plants. These are items I’ve personally assessed, reviewed, and am now endorsing for both your use and that of 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.
 
 
 

Is your Pothos Dripping Water? Here are the causes and the solutions.

What Are the Reasons Behind the Slow Growth of The Pothos Plant?

A pothos plant that grows slowly in a a pot

As mentioned above, light conditions, lack of nutrients, and overcare are the leading causes of pothos slow growth. But, in some cases, you may be doing everything right and still have a pothos that grows slowly. That’s why we tried to cover all the possible causes of this problem in this article.

Here is a complete list of all the possible factors that may slow the growth of your pothos:

  1. The Pot Does Not Have Good Drainage: When the pot does not have proper drainage, water accumulates and remains in the soil for a long time. This will make it difficult for oxygen to reach the roots, which will, in turn, slow down the growth.
  2.  The Plant Is Not Getting Enough Light: Sunlight is the primary energy source for all plants, including pothos. If your plant lacks direct sunlight, it will grow slowly.
  3.  There Is Not Enough Carbon Dioxide in The Area Where You Try to Grow Your Pothos: Plants need carbon dioxide to produce food. Since carbon dioxide is a gas, plants can’t get it from the soil – they have to depend on it being in the air. Without enough carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, your plant will grow slowly.
  4.  You Are Using Soil that Lacks Nutrients: Soil is the number one source of nutrients for all plants, including pothos. If you do not feed your plant correctly, it will grow slowly or stop altogether.
  5.  You are growing pothos during the winter: Pothos plants grow best during spring or warm summer. If you try to grow them in cold weather conditions, they will most likely experience slow growth.
  6.  You are starting your pothos as a cutting: If you start your pothos as a cutting, they may grow slowly until the roots develop and begin to support the plant.
  7.  The temperature is too high or freezing: pothos can grow in various temperatures. But extreme levels of temperature will cause pothos to grow slowly.
  8.  You re-pot your pothos frequently: When you re-pot them too frequently, you disturb the roots, making it difficult for the plant to absorb nutrients and water, which translates into a slow growth cycle.
  9.  You Are Growing your Pothos in A High Humidity Area: Pothos plants do not like high humidity levels and will grow slowly if you try to cultivate them in these conditions.
  10.  You are under-watering your pothos: Pothos can grow in a wide range of water levels. However, they will grow slowly or stop growing altogether if you do not give them enough water.
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.
 
 

Why Do Pothos Revert? Click here to find the answer.

How Can I Make My Pothos Grow Faster?

Now that you know the main reasons behind the slow growth of pothos, it’s time to find out how to make this plant grow faster. Here are five solutions that may work for you:

Solution # 1- Place Your Pothos in A Sunny Spot

If your plant is not getting enough light, move it to a sunnier spot. Sunlight is the primary source of energy for all plants, and it will help your pothos grow faster. But try to avoid stressing out your plant by exposing it to too much light.

Solution # 2- Use Fertilizers to Boost The Growth of Your Pothos

To speed up the growth of your pothos, you can start to feed them once a month during the growing season. You should use liquid fertilizers and ensure they are suitable for this plant.

Solution #3- Transplant Your Pothos to A Bigger Pot

Repotting a pothos plant

When the pot becomes too small for the size of the plant, the roots will start to grow around it, making it difficult for the plant to absorb water and nutrients. When this happens, you should transplant your pothos into a bigger pot.

Solution # 4- Keep the Temperature at The Optimum Level

To help your pothos grow at their full potential, keep the temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for pothos plants. If the temperature is too high or too low, it will affect their growth rate.

Solution # 5- Prune Your Pothos Every Few Months

One way to get your pothos to grow faster is by pruning them. This will encourage new growth and help increase the plant’s height.

Solution # 6- Try to Raise the Humidity of Your Pothos Using a Humidifier

Pothos plants like high humidity levels and will grow faster if you try to increase the amount of moisture in the air around them. The best way to do this is by using a humidifier.

 Solution # 6- Water Your Pothos Correctly

The best way to moisturize your pothos is by watering them from the bottom. This will ensure that the water will reach your plant’s roots. Ensure you do not over-water it, as this may cause root rot.

Know that you know how to grow your pothos fast. You may be wondering how quickly your pothos can grow. We knew you would ask this question, and we prepared a bonus paragraph to answer it. Just keep reading, and you will get the exact answer.

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.

Are your Pothos Cuttings Rotting? Here are 10 Causes and 5 Solutions.

How Fast Can My Pothos Grow?

Pothos plants can grow up to a foot in height and spread out to cover a large surface area. However, the growth rate will depend on where you grow the plant and how well you take care of it. Generally, a baby pothos can turn into a mature plant in less than 4 months.

Following the instructions, your pothos can grow from 12 to 18 inches monthly.

But be careful to follow the proper instructions for growing your pothos but not choose the best time to produce them. In fact, many people try to grow pothos when they have free time during the Christmas holidays, but they end up with a frustrating experience.

In fact, Pothos plants are straightforward to grow, and they can quickly spread around the house when spring comes. The same goes for summertime.

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.
 
 
 

Wondering why pothos are so popular? Click here to find the answer.

Conclusion

Pothos plants are straightforward to grow and can quickly spread around the house when spring comes. However, many mistakes may slow down the growth of your pothos. To avoid this problem, you need to know the amount of light, water, and humidity your pothos need. Also, when you overcare about your pothos, you will end up doing them more harm than good.

Is Your Njoy Pothos Taking Forever to Grow? Read this article to Find Out Why!

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top