If you are looking to grow an easy care plant indoors that is almost impossible to harm, then you need to try your hand at growing pothos – it really is the perfect houseplant for beginners – or anyone for that matter!
Pothos, also commonly known as Devil’s Ivy, is a fantastic way to enhance any space in your home with its lush, cascading greenery. While this popular houseplant is often admired for its indoor appeal, as you will see below, it also has some surprising uses outdoors, especially during the warmer months!
So what makes pothos so incredible as a houseplant? For starters, it truly is one of the easiest plants to care for, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned plant lovers alike. The trailing, tropical evergreen is incredibly resilient to all kinds of care.
Not only does it requires minimal care to survive, it thrives in a variety of conditions. In fact, its ability to survive long periods without water has earned it a reputation as nearly indestructible. Especially as an indoor plant. Even better, it’s rarely plagued by pests!
Pothos – The Perfect Houseplant For Beginners
The Ease Of Care
Caring for pothos indoors requires very little effort – which is why it’s such a beloved houseplant. It isn’t picky about soil and will thrive in regular potting mix. And watering? That’s where pothos really comes through for those that might be a bit forgetful.
Pothos can go long stretches without the need for water. In most cases a slight watering every week is best. But if two weeks go by, the plant is more than capable of surviving. It really only needs to be watered when the top inch of soil feels completely dry.
The most important factor for successfully growing pothos indoors is proper light placement. In its native environment, this plant grows under the canopy of tropical forests, where it receives only filtered sunlight.
To replicate these conditions at home, you simply need to avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight. Instead, choose a spot where it receives indirect light. Areas near east or north-facing windows are ideal.
If your room is particularly bright, simply keep the plant a few feet away from the window to avoid too much direct exposure. Pothos also does well in lower light environments, making it a great option for rooms with limited natural light.
In terms of humidity, it prefers a more moderate to high-humidity environment, which makes it ideal for bathrooms or kitchens. But again, it can still survive in drier rooms without harming the plant.
The Versatility Of Pothos – The Perfect Houseplant For Beginners
What really makes pothos special for any gardener who grows it is its versatility. Indoors, it can be placed almost anywhere to add greenery. But it can also be brought outdoors in the summer to fill all kinds of needs!
Outdoors, pothos adds vibrant greenery to patios, porches, and shaded garden areas during the summer. Its adaptability makes it a wonderful addition to hanging baskets, containers, or even as a ground cover in areas protected from harsh sunlight.
What’s even more impressive is that it doesn’t demand heavy fertilization. Pothos is a light feeder. It can easily flourish with just occasional watering to keep its roots healthy and strong.
When growing outdoors, all you need to do is select a spot that offers plenty of shade or dappled sunlight. Direct, intense sunlight will scorch its leaves, so areas under a pergola, canopy, or covered patio work best.
The plant will require periodic watering, especially in hot weather, but its minimal needs make it a great low maintenance choice for outdoor decor. One note – if you’re growing it outdoors, remember to bring the plant back inside before temperatures drop, as this tropical species cannot tolerate cold weather.
Creating Multiple Plants From Pothos With Ease – The Perfect Houseplant For Beginners
The good news is that with all of those uses, it’s easy to create additional pothos plants from an existing plant. In fact, one of the most rewarding aspects of growing this durable plant is how easy it is to propagate.
Whether you’re looking to expand your indoor plant collection or create beautiful outdoor displays for summer, propagating this plant can be done with minimal effort and no special equipment – and in two easy ways – either by dividing and transplanting, or by taking cuttings from the plant.
Dividing & Repotting Pothos – The Perfect Houseplant For Beginners
To propagate through division, carefully remove the plant from its container and separate it into smaller sections. Each division should have its own roots. Simply repot these sections into fresh containers with basic potting soil. Next, give them a good watering, and they’ll quickly adapt to their new home.
Starting New Plants from Cuttings – The Perfect Houseplant For Beginners
Propagation through cuttings is equally straightforward. To begin, use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip a healthy vine. Aim to cut a section that includes a leaf and a few inches of stem. Look for small bumps along the stem. These are the nodes where new roots will form.
When taking cuttings, start by trimming the stem at a slight angle. This will help the new cutting to more easily absorb water. Next, place the cutting into a clear container filled with water. Ensure that only the nodes and stem (not the leaf) are submerged.
Then simply place the container in a spot with indirect light and wait. In a few weeks, roots will begin to grow from the nodes.
Once the roots are a couple of inches long, you can transfer the cutting into a pot with soil. Water it regularly, and you’ll soon have a thriving new plant.
This method is perfect for preparing outdoor hanging baskets or potted arrangements in late winter or early spring. By the time warm weather arrives, your new plants will be ready to fill outdoor spaces with vibrant foliage.
Much like taking coleus cuttings, you can really save on your hanging basket and container plants for the summer by creating free plants! See: How To Save Coleus In The Fall – Create Great Houseplants & Free Plants For Next Year!
Here is to growing pothos in your home as a houseplant this winter – and finding all kinds of wonderful places and spaces for it next summer too!
Simple Garden Life
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