This particular pothos is so finicky, what is going on with it?
Several of the vines have lost all its leaves. I water it twice a month and I cycle its direct sunlight as often (otherwise it’s in indirect sunlight. I don’t know the soil contents.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/plantclinic) if you have any questions or concerns.*
BendynBold
Twice a month might not be enough. The soil could also be hydrophobic where it’s not absorbing water. Do you make sure the soil is really absorbing water and watering it thoroughly? Also does that pot have drainage holes?? If not, there could be root rot
MormonDew
watering once a week in a direct sun window is probably not enough.
PersonMcPeerson
Agreed that you need a pot with drainage. If the leaves aren’t perking up within a day of when you water it, either the roots are rotten or the soil is hydrophobic.
If roots are rotten, just cut and re-root the vines. You can do whatever length or number of cuts you like.
If soil is bad, amend with vermiculite and perlite. Bark is nice for all potted plant but not necessarily required for pothos if you add perlite. I do recommend horticultural charcoal as well for all potted plants.
If it does perk back up quickly but reverts to this state too fast, you need to repot it. Bigger pot and recommend to amend soil as above regardless.
depressedcatfishh
That soil looks like mud. You need a pot with multiple drainage holes. Plus a chunky soil mix. It’s staying too wet for too long
pack_merrr
Definitely too wet. It needs to be able to pretty much fully dry out in between waterings. With the size and depth of the pot, along with what looks to be really water retentive soil, that might be quite a while between waterings.
I saw you said there was a hole in the pot, but I just wanna be clear it doesn’t count if it’s a dual layer pot where water is still trapped inside of it. The water needs to actually escape and go somewhere whether it’s a tray, on your windowsill, or whatever. If you don’t have a tray and that’s too messy, just take it to the sink to water it every time you do it until it drains out.
DontMemeAtMe
Looks like root rot to me.
Local_business_disco
Pot too big, soil not chunky enough, too much water. Bare vines don’t regrow leaves, I would chop and prop.
serpentear
Thanks for all who answered, I think I have a way forward now.
aerdna2698
I have the same one, and the same problems. I have a theory that it’s a philodendron, although I’ve got no tips for you because whatever I do to it, it looks half dead. I’ve been keeping it in water after trying everything, he’s grown a huge root and some new leaves but still looks sickly. We are in a toxic relationship
sequenceandshaw
Agreed about the dirt. I started doing a mix of 1 part potting soil (Miracle Grow), 1 part perlite, and a small handful of charcoal. Gives a bit of drainage and aeration to the soil. My pothos have never looked so healthy.
I would also consider cutting the vines back and propagating each leaf. Replant it into one bushier pothos once the leaves have rooted. I don’t think you have to do that, but I would do it as a way to reset the plant.
11 Comments
Please review [r/plantclinic’s watering guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/wiki/watering_guide). Most r/plantclinic posts are related to improper watering. See if this guide can help!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/plantclinic) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Twice a month might not be enough. The soil could also be hydrophobic where it’s not absorbing water. Do you make sure the soil is really absorbing water and watering it thoroughly? Also does that pot have drainage holes?? If not, there could be root rot
watering once a week in a direct sun window is probably not enough.
Agreed that you need a pot with drainage. If the leaves aren’t perking up within a day of when you water it, either the roots are rotten or the soil is hydrophobic.
If roots are rotten, just cut and re-root the vines. You can do whatever length or number of cuts you like.
If soil is bad, amend with vermiculite and perlite. Bark is nice for all potted plant but not necessarily required for pothos if you add perlite. I do recommend horticultural charcoal as well for all potted plants.
If it does perk back up quickly but reverts to this state too fast, you need to repot it. Bigger pot and recommend to amend soil as above regardless.
That soil looks like mud. You need a pot with multiple drainage holes. Plus a chunky soil mix. It’s staying too wet for too long
Definitely too wet. It needs to be able to pretty much fully dry out in between waterings. With the size and depth of the pot, along with what looks to be really water retentive soil, that might be quite a while between waterings.
I saw you said there was a hole in the pot, but I just wanna be clear it doesn’t count if it’s a dual layer pot where water is still trapped inside of it. The water needs to actually escape and go somewhere whether it’s a tray, on your windowsill, or whatever. If you don’t have a tray and that’s too messy, just take it to the sink to water it every time you do it until it drains out.
Looks like root rot to me.
Pot too big, soil not chunky enough, too much water. Bare vines don’t regrow leaves, I would chop and prop.
Thanks for all who answered, I think I have a way forward now.
I have the same one, and the same problems. I have a theory that it’s a philodendron, although I’ve got no tips for you because whatever I do to it, it looks half dead. I’ve been keeping it in water after trying everything, he’s grown a huge root and some new leaves but still looks sickly. We are in a toxic relationship
Agreed about the dirt. I started doing a mix of 1 part potting soil (Miracle Grow), 1 part perlite, and a small handful of charcoal. Gives a bit of drainage and aeration to the soil. My pothos have never looked so healthy.
I would also consider cutting the vines back and propagating each leaf. Replant it into one bushier pothos once the leaves have rooted. I don’t think you have to do that, but I would do it as a way to reset the plant.