Pothos Plant Food: Transform Your Devil's Ivy Into a Jungle Vine

 

Beautiful trailing pothos plant in a hanging basket with lush green heart-shaped leaves
Published September 1, 2025
Look, I get it. You've probably killed a few plants before (haven't we all?), and now you're looking for something that won't die on you if you forget to water it for a week... or two. Enter the pothos - basically the golden retriever of the plant world. These trailing beauties are so chill, they've been keeping people like us from feeling like plant failures since forever.

Here's the thing about pothos - they're ridiculously easy to keep alive. I mean, I've accidentally left mine without water for almost three weeks (oops), and it was still happily trailing along my bookshelf like nothing happened. If you can remember to feed yourself most days, you can definitely keep a pothos alive. Trust me on this one.

Why Pothos Plants Are Perfect for Every Home

Collection of different pothos varieties including golden pothos, marble queen, and neon pothos in various planters

Pothos (also called devil's ivy, which honestly sounds way cooler than it actually is) are like that friend who never gets mad at you for being flaky. Originally from the Solomon Islands, these vines have somehow figured out how to thrive in our weird indoor environments where the air is dry, the light is questionable, and we forget they exist half the time.

What I love most about pothos is that they don't need you to be perfect. Bright light? Great! Dim corner? Also fine! Weekly watering schedule? Awesome! Forgot for two weeks? They'll survive. They're basically designed for people who want plants but, let's be honest, aren't great at keeping things alive.

Why pothos are basically plant training wheels (in the best way):
  • They'll forgive you for pretty much everything - overwatering, underwatering, bad lighting
  • Grow fast enough that you actually feel like you're not killing them
  • Clean your air (so they're basically working while you sleep)
  • Super easy to make babies from - free plants for everyone!
  • Come in different colors so you can pretend you have variety in your plant game

The best part? You can literally buy these at the grocery store. No fancy plant shop required. Grab one next time you're picking up milk, stick it on a shelf, and boom - you're a plant person now.

Essential Pothos Care Requirements

Person watering a healthy pothos plant in bright indirect light near a window

Okay, so pothos care isn't exactly rocket science, but there are a few things that'll help you avoid accidentally murdering your new green friend. Don't worry - even if you mess up, pothos are usually pretty forgiving about it.

Light Situation

They like bright, indirect light best (think "bright but not sunbathing"), but honestly they'll grow pretty much anywhere except total darkness. I have one that's been living in my bathroom for two years and it's doing fine. Just don't stick them in direct sun - they'll get crispy.

Watering (The Thing Everyone Overthinks)

Stick your finger about an inch down into the soil. Dry? Water it. Still moist? Leave it alone. That's literally it. Usually ends up being every week or so, but don't stress about being exact. These plants have survived worse.

Soil Stuff

Any regular potting soil works fine. Don't overthink it. Though if you want to spoil them a little, mixing in some Ancient Soil gives them extra nutrients and good bacteria that make them extra happy.

Temperature & Humidity

If you're comfortable, they're comfortable. That's it. They don't need you to turn your house into a tropical rainforest or anything. Room temperature is perfect.

Seriously, when in doubt, don't water. These guys would rather be a little thirsty than drowning in soggy soil. I learned this the hard way after killing my first one with kindness (aka too much water).

Give Your Pothos the Best Foundation

Our Ancient Soil blend contains organic worm castings and beneficial microbes that help pothos develop stronger root systems and more vibrant growth.

Shop Ancient Soil

When Your Pothos is Trying to Tell You Something

Even super chill plants like pothos will give you little signs when something's off. The good news is they're usually pretty obvious about it, and most problems have easy fixes.

Yellow leaves showing up: You're probably loving it to death with too much water. Cut back on the watering and pull off the yellow leaves - they're not coming back anyway.
Crispy brown leaf edges: Your water might be too harsh (hello, chlorine) or your house is super dry. Try using filtered water or just letting tap water sit out overnight before using it.
Getting all leggy and sparse: Not enough light. Move it closer to a window or get a cheap grow light. Also, don't be afraid to trim those long vines - it actually makes the plant bushier.
New leaves are tiny and pale: Your plant is basically saying "feed me!" Give it some diluted liquid fertilizer during growing season. Our Plant Juice is perfect - just mix about 2-3 oz per gallon of water.
Mushy black stems at soil level: Uh oh, root rot from too much water. Time for emergency surgery - cut off any healthy pieces and start over with fresh soil.

Here's what I've learned: pothos respond pretty quickly to changes. Fix the problem and you'll usually see improvement in a couple weeks. They're not ones to hold grudges.

Making Baby Pothos (It's Easier Than You Think)

Glass jars with pothos cuttings developing roots in water, showing different stages of root development

This is where pothos get really fun. They're ridiculously easy to propagate, which is a fancy way of saying "make more plants for free." Fair warning: once you start doing this, you'll probably end up with pothos everywhere and become that person who gives cuttings to everyone.

The Super Easy Water Method:

Cut a piece that's about 4-6 inches long with at least one of those little bumpy nodes on it
Stick it in a glass of water (I use old jars)
Change the water every few days so it doesn't get gross
Watch tiny roots appear in a week or two (it's weirdly satisfying)
Once roots are about an inch long, plant it in soil with some Ancient Soil mixed in

The "Skip the Water" Method:

Cut your pieces and stick them straight into moist soil
Keep the soil damp but not soggy until you see new growth
Takes a bit longer but sometimes gives you stronger roots

Best time to do this is spring or summer when the plant is actually growing. Don't worry about taking multiple cuttings from one vine - it actually makes the original plant grow bushier.

I keep water glasses with pothos cuttings all over my kitchen windowsill. They make great last-minute gifts, and honestly, watching those little roots grow never gets old. Plus, everyone thinks you're some kind of plant wizard.

Supercharge Your Plant Care Routine

Ready to take your houseplant game to the next level? Our Plant Care Kit has everything you need to keep your pothos and other houseplants thriving all year round.

Shop Plant Care Kit

Actually Feeding Your Pothos (Optional But Worth It)

Look, pothos aren't super picky eaters, but giving them a little food during the growing season (spring through early fall) can make a huge difference. I'm talking bigger leaves, better color, faster growth - the works.

I use Plant Juice because it's organic and won't burn the roots if I accidentally make it too strong (which I've definitely done). Unlike those chemical fertilizers that make plants grow crazy fast but weird, this stuff gives them steady, healthy growth that actually lasts.

If you've got baby plants or new cuttings, go easy on the fertilizer. Use about half strength until they get established. They're like plant teenagers - they can't handle the strong stuff yet.

Keep Learning About Plant Care

Growing Herbs Indoors
Understanding Organic Fertilizers
Container Gardening Tips
Wandering Jew Plant Care

Ready to Become a Pothos Parent?

Honestly, if you can keep yourself alive, you can keep a pothos alive. Give your new green buddy the best start with our organic goodies that make plant care actually easy.

Get the Starter Kit

Still worried you're going to mess this up? Don't be! But if you have questions, just shoot us an email - we've all been there and we're happy to help.

Back to blog