How To Repot Your Pothos Plant So It Thrives All Year

You know her, you love her — pothos (Epipremmum aureum) is undoubtedly a darling of the houseplant world. With its marbled, heart-shaped foliage and easygoing nature, it makes sense that this tropical plant is a favorite among plant collectors. It also doesn't hurt that it's one of the easiest houseplants to propagate at home. But despite how low-maintenance this plant is, you should still maintain an understanding of what your pothos needs to thrive. One important task to consider is repotting your pothos so it can thrive year round. Pothos can be susceptible to root rot from overwatering, which can be a big issue during the winter. Repotting helps combat this issue.

Since pothos grows so rapidly, it's important to repot it regularly. You'll know it's time to give your plant a larger space if roots start creeping through the drainage holes or you notice slow growth. Repotting also offers a valuable opportunity to assess the health of your plant. Start your growing season off right by repotting in spring or summer.

Prepare your pothos for repotting by watering it a few days before. When you're ready to move your plant, loosen the root ball by squeezing the sides on its pot. Add soil to a pot one size bigger than the current pot. The root ball should sit even with the rim of the container. Fill in the space around the root ball, and pat the soil down to secure your pothos in its new pot.

The pothos is originally from tropical and subtropical Australia and Asia. It has adapted to climb up trees and sprawl out across the forest floor in a dim undercanopy environment. If the plant successfully reaches the top of the canopy, it adapts beautifully to its new environment, growing exponentially with the help of the brighter sunlight. During this phase, its leaves can grow up to 3 feet long at maturity. This is why pothos is considered a plant that thrives in low light and brighter light — it has to stay competitive in an ever-changing jungle environment. In our homes, pothos plants stay in their juvenile phase. But with the instinct to grow in all conditions, they maintain their adaptable nature, making them an easy houseplant to tend to. 

While they tend to grow generously in most conditions, they still have certain care requirements. Your pothos will be at its best when you allow it to receive bright, indirect sunlight. Intense, direct light can scorch its leaves. Water it every one to two weeks, and allow it to dry between waterings. 

Repotting with regular potting mix works fine, but you can also create your own blend. Combine potting soil with a few handfuls of charcoal, coco coir chips, and compost for a rich, well-drained potting medium. And there you have it! When you give it the proper care and repot it regularly, you can keep your pothos plant happy and healthy, allowing it to thrive through any season.