Trailing, drooping or rooting: what does your pothos need next?

A pothos spilling over the edge of its pot may be exactly what you want. One that suddenly looks limp raises a different question. And a little cutting in a glass does not yet have the same needs as an established plant. Start with the situation that matches yours.

Long stems: choose the shape you want

Pothos can trail freely or climb a support, so length alone need not be a problem. For a bushier plant, you can shorten the stems; pruning encourages branching. Check the light as well if the growth has become sparse.

A limp plant: start with the compost

Feel the compost before adding more water. Pothos needs an airy growing medium that can dry out a little between waterings. Check the light too: a bright spot with filtered light suits it better than strong direct sun. A photograph of drooping leaves alone cannot tell you whether the compost is too dry or too wet.

A cutting in a glass: watch the roots develop

The next step here is to help a new plant establish. Wait until roots have developed, then move on to planting. You will find the guide to moving a cutting from water to compost below.