Pothos is a popular houseplant thanks to its beautiful trailing vines and vibrant green leaves. However, like any other plant, pothos can sometimes face health issues and begin to wither. But do you know how to revive pothos?
If you notice your pothos plant showing signs of distress, don’t worry. You can bring your dying pothos back to life and enjoy their beauty with simple steps. Keep reading our extensive guide.
Contents
Signs Your Pothos Are Dying
Before diving into the revival process, evaluate the condition of your pothos plant. Watch for signs like yellowing leaves, wilting, root rot, or stunted growth.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellow pothos leaves are often a sign of stress or improper care. If pothos leaves turn yellow, it could indicate overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or inadequate lighting.
Wilting
When a pothos plant does not receive enough water, it may wilt. Underwatering can lead to droopy, limp leaves and a generally withered appearance.
Root Rot
Root rot in pothos plants is caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Root rot has likely set in if you notice a foul smell, mushy or discolored roots, or wilting despite adequate watering.
Stunted Growth
If your pothos isn’t growing as vigorously as before or seems to have stopped growing altogether, it could indicate unfavorable conditions such as inadequate lighting, insufficient nutrients, or root-bound roots.
Why Your Pothos Plants Are Dying
Below are the most common reasons for pothos plants dying.
Overwatering
The most common reason for a dying pothos plant is overwatering. Pothos plants prefer slightly dry soil between waterings. If the soil remains constantly wet, it can lead to root rot and other problems. Make sure your pothos have proper drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Underwatering
Underwatering can also cause a pothos plant to decline. If the soil becomes too dry for extended periods, the plant can wilt, leaves may turn brown, and growth may slow down.
Watering your pothos when the soil feels dry to the touch is essential. However, avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
Inadequate Lighting
If your pothos is not receiving enough light, it can result in stunted growth, leggy stems, and faded or yellowing leaves.
To address this issue, relocate your plant to a spot with better lighting conditions. Place it near a window to receive bright, indirect sunlight for several hours a day.
Root Rot
Excessive soil moisture causes root rots. Root rot can lead to yellowing leaves, wilting, and a decline in the pothos’ health.
To treat root rot, carefully remove the affected parts of the plant, including any brown or mushy roots. Repot the pothos in fresh, well-draining soil, ensuring the new pot has proper drainage.
How To Revive Pothos
To revive a Pothos plant, start by checking the soil moisture. If it’s dry, thoroughly water the plant and allow any excess water to drain out. Trim off any dead or yellowing leaves, as they won’t recover. Place the pothos plant in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Consider fertilizing the plant every few months with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Below are surefire steps to revive your pothos plant.
Step 1: Repotting
Repotting is necessary if your pothos has outgrown its current container or shows signs of root rot.
Select a new pot. This pot should be slightly larger than the current one and should have drainage holes at the bottom. The new pot should provide enough room for the plant’s roots to grow and allow excess water to drain.
Pothos plants require a well-draining potting mix. Using a commercial potting mix specifically formulated for indoor plants is advisable.
Carefully lift the pothos plant out of its old pot. You can tap the sides of the pot or gently squeeze it to loosen the root ball. Be cautious not to damage the roots during this process.
Examine the roots for any signs of damage or rot. Trim off brown, mushy, or unhealthy-looking roots using clean, sharp gardening shears or scissors. This helps promote healthy root growth in the new pot.
Put a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. Position the pothos plant in the center of the pot. Then, adjust the soil level so that the top of the root ball sits below the pot’s rim. Add more potting mix around the roots, gently firming it to provide stability.
After repotting, thoroughly water the pothos plant to settle the soil and remove air pockets around the roots.
Step 2: Adjust Your Watering Routine
Establishing a consistent watering routine is crucial for pothos’ revival. Consistency is vital in maintaining the plant’s health. Check the soil’s moisture level by feeling the top inch with your fingers. Water the pothos when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Avoid overwatering the plant, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot. It’s better to slightly underwater the pothos than to overwater it. Overwatering can suffocate the roots and prevent them from absorbing nutrients properly.
Step 3: Provide Optimal Humidity
Pothos appreciate moderate humidity levels. One way to increase humidity is by misting the plant leaves with water. Do this using a spray bottle, lightly coating the leaves with fine water droplets.
Misting pothos leaves helps to create a humid microclimate around the plant, mimicking the conditions of its natural environment.
Another method is to place a tray filled with water near the pothos plant. As the water slowly evaporates, it adds moisture to the surrounding air, raising the humidity level.
While providing optimal humidity benefits the pothos plant, please don’t overdo it. Excessive misting or high humidity levels can create a damp environment that promotes the growth of fungi and can harm the plant.
Step 4: Enhance Lighting Conditions
Ensure your pothos receive bright, indirect light for several hours a day. Place your pothos near a north or east-facing window, away from direct sunlight. Inadequate lighting can cause stunted growth and pale leaves, while excessive sunlight can scorch the foliage.
Step 5: Prune Your Pothos
To promote healthy growth, regularly prune your pothos. Trim any yellow or brown leaves, as they indicate stress or disease. Pruning encourages new growth and helps the pothos plant allocate resources to healthy parts.
Step 6: Fertilize Your Pothos
Fertilize your pothos every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Consider using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Avoid fertilizing during the dormant period (fall and winter). Fertilizing during the dormant period can lead to excessive salt buildup in the soil, potentially causing root damage.
Water your pothos plant before applying fertilizer. This process helps prevent fertilizer burn and ensures that the roots effectively absorb the nutrients. After applying the diluted fertilizer, water the plant again to distribute the nutrients throughout the soil.
Step 7: Be Patient and Observant
Reviving a pothos plant requires patience and careful observation. Monitor your plant’s progress, adjusting its care routine as needed. With time and proper care, your pothos will show signs of recovery.
Wrapping Up
We hope you now know how to revive pothos. With the right approach and patience, you can rejuvenate your dying pothos plant and bring it back to life. You’ll need to assess its condition, repot if necessary, adjust watering and lighting, prune regularly, and provide adequate humidity and fertilization.