8 Reasons Your Pothos Is Dying and How to Save It

Pothos is one of the most popular houseplants due to its resilience and ability to thrive in a variety of lighting conditions. Even though this beloved tropical plant can withstand some neglect, however, it is still important to watch out for signs it’s struggling and provide it with proper care.

If your pothos isn’t flourishing like it usually is, you need to troubleshoot the cause to help it recover. Our experts share the many reasons your pothos may be dying and what you can do to save it.

8 Reasons Your Pothos is Dying

Lotte Berendsen, certified gardening expert for PlantIn, says that though pothos is known to be one of the most resilient plants available, even these tough plants can show signs of dying if you do not meet their needs. Luckily, as they are very forgiving, you can (almost) always revive a dying pothos.

Here are the most common reasons your pothos plant is dying and what to do for each problem.

Overwatering Your Pothos 

Berendsen says that overwatering is the most common reason for Pothos to deteriorate. “These plants do not tolerate waterlogged soil, and watering too frequently can quickly result in root rot,” she says. “If your pothos is overwatered, you’ll need to act quickly. Once root rot has festered in your pothos, it is a quick downhill road.”

f your pothos has been overwatered and you suspect root rot to be at play, Berendsen says you’ll need to remove the plant from its pot and clear out the soil until the roots are visible.

Jane Dobbs, expert gardener and gardening team lead at Allan’s Gardeners, says you can prevent overwatering by letting the soil dry out between waterings. “Water the soil only after it has dried to the top inch,” she says. “Use a well-draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes to ensure proper drainage,” she instructs.

Under Watering Pothos

Most of us are guilty of forgetting to water our beloved plants, but lack of water can kill even the toughest of houseplants. Dobbs says that although pothos are drought-tolerant, prolonged dryness can cause the leaves to droop, curl, and become crispy and brown at the edges. So, if your pothos is showing these signs, it’s telling you it needs a good drink of water. 

To prevent pothos from drying out completely, Dobbs says you should be watering your pothos when the top one to two inches of soil are dry. It’s important to maintain a consistent watering schedule without letting the plants go too dry. If you have trouble remembering, try setting a reminder on your phone to check on your pothos before it has time to dry out. 

Planter Has No Drainage

Berendsen says that houseplants should always be grown in containers with drainage holes in the bottom. “This helps to allow excess water to drain from the pot, so the roots are not constantly sitting in moisture. Without drainage, the roots are quick to fall victim to root rot,” she explains.

Sometimes, people may upcycle items to use as planters and forget to drill out drainage holes. That’s why it’s vital to ensure you drill holes in the bottom of any custom container you use for your plants. 

If your pothos is currently sitting in a container lacking drainage, you should consider moving it to a new planter with drainage holes. “You can use a plastic nursery pot inside a decorative pot, or opt for a ceramic or clay planter with a saucer underneath,” Berendsen suggests.  

Incorrect Amount of Sunlight

Not having the correct amount of light is another reason your pothos is dying. Whether it’s getting too much light or not enough, both can cause issues. “Though pothos are marketed as low-light tolerant, a common mistake when it comes to growing this vining plant is placing it in dark corners,” Berendsen informs.

“In low light, your plants cannot photosynthesize enough and, thus, will be unable to produce enough energy,” she continues. “This will inevitably result in bare, leggy stems and small, deformed growth.”

Dobbs warns that pothos getting too much direct sunlight scorches leaves and causes them to brown and yellow. 

So, you need to find the right balance when it comes to lighting. Berendsen says if the plant is already growing stunted, small, leggy vines, it is best to trim them off (right above a node) and immediately provide extra light exposure. “If you don’t have access to sufficient natural sunlight, consider adding a grow light to ensure your pothos can grow beautiful and lush vines,” she advises.

Poor Soil Conditions

Dobbs says that pale, weak leaves and stunted growth can indicate that a pothos is dying from nutrient-poor soil or inadequate fertilization.

“Using the correct soil medium is key to growing healthy and happy houseplants,” Berendsen says. “If your soil lacks drainage and holds onto moisture for too long, root rot is a common occurrence.”

Berendsen recommends growing your pothos in well-drained, airy soil mixes. “You can amend a standard potting mix with perlite, orchid bark, pumice, and horticultural sand,” she says. “These amendments will enhance drainage and promote healthy roots and leaves.”

Dobbs suggests using a well-draining potting mix every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season and feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer for an extra boost.

Pesky Pests, Bacteria, and Fungus

“Perhaps the worst part of plant care is houseplant pests,” Berendsen says. “More often than not, these leaf-eating bugs go unnoticed until the symptoms are extreme and the infestation is at an advanced stage.”

“As pests feed on the sap inside your pothos’ leaves, they quite literally ‘drain the life’ from your plant,” she continues. “If you find any unusual bugs, webbing, leaf damage, or spots on the leaves, begin treatment as soon as possible.”

Berendsen recommends using a neem oil solution to treat and prevent pests. “Mix 1 tsp of neem oil with 1 tsp of dishwashing soap in a gallon of water. Use this in a spray bottle to help control pests. Advanced infestations are best treated with a specific pesticide,” she instructs.

Dobbs warns that bacteria and/or fungus can be another reason your pothos is dying.  “Leaf spots, mushy stems, and fungal infections can be caused by excessive moisture and poor airflow,” she says. Dobbs says you can address bacteria and funguses by pruning affected areas, avoiding overhead watering, and improving air circulation.

Pothos is Rootbound

If you notice roots growing above the soil or out of the drainage holes, then your pothos is rootbound and needs help. “Roots that outgrow the pot have difficulty absorbing nutrients and water, resulting in slow growth and wilting,” Dobbs explains. Other signs that your pothos is potentially rootbound are if the container is cracking and the plant seems to be requiring more water than usual. 

The solution to saving a rootbound pothos is to upgrade its living space. You will need to repot it into a larger container so it has adequate room to grow. Dobbs says that you should repot into a slightly larger container every year and ensure you loosen the roots gently before replanting.

Incorrect Climate Conditions

Dobbs says that pothos can get stressed due to exposure to extreme temperature changes. “The ideal temperature for pothos is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When plants are exposed to cold drafts, sudden temperature drops, or heat stress, they struggle,” she informs. While they are resilient, they are tropical plants after all, so consistent warmer temperatures are best. 

Dobbs says pothos should be kept away from air conditioners, radiators, and drafty windows. They should also maintain a warm and consistent environment. You can do this by placing them in an area of your home where temperatures do not fluctuate drastically. 

Signs Your Pothos Isn’t Healthy 

Experts say there are some tell-tale signs you can watch out for that can help you prevent your pothos from dying. Identifying issues early on can increase the chances of saving your plant. Keep an eye out for these main signs your pothos isn’t healthy.

Yellow Leaves

Dobbs and Berendsen say yellowing leaves are among the first warning signs that something is wrong with your pothos.

“Yellow leaves do not always mean an emergency because the plant can sometimes drop old leaves simply to preserve some energy for new growth,” Berendsen says. “But, if you find yellow leaves appearing at a fast rate, it is likely the result of an underlying issue, like over- or underwatering, temperature stress, or transplanting shock.”

Brown or Crispy Leaves

Berendsen says another common symptom of unhappy pothos plants is crispy leaves or leaf edges. This is commonly the result of mineral buildup from tap water or low humidity. Underwatering may also result in brown, crispy leaves.

Small or Stunted New Leaves

Another sign your pothos is in trouble is if it has small or stunted new leaves. “Deformed and brittle growth will result from insufficient sunlight,” Berendsen explains. “The plant does not have enough energy due to a lack of light and will be unable to grow healthy, big leaves with a limited energy supply.”

Wilted Leaves

If the foliage looks withered and wilted, it’s a sign that your pothos is unhealthy. “Wilting usually occurs when your pothos is underwater,” says Berendsen. “If the wilting is mild, it should subside within a few hours after watering.”

“Make sure you check the soil before you go in with the watering can, though wilting can also result from overwatering,” she continues. “If the soil feels dry, go ahead and water. If the soil feels wet, consider that the plant may be experiencing root rot and treat it accordingly.”