Can Pothos Roots That Are Too Long Be Cut Off? Causes of Root Rot and Solutions

Pothos is the preferred plant for many beginners at growing flowers and plants, because pothos's advantage of being easy to manage is widely known. Although the method of growing pothos is very simple, people still have many, many questions about it. For example, after growing it for a while, you will find that the pothos roots have become very long or that the roots have begun to rot. Friends who encounter these problems and do not know how to handle them might as well take a look at this article.

Can pothos roots that are too long be cut off?

The long roots of pothos are aerial roots, and it is best not to cut off the aerial roots that pothos grows.

First of all, this is because the aerial roots of pothos play a good auxiliary role in its growth and development, so by keeping these aerial roots, your pothos will certainly grow more vigorously.

Secondly, if the aerial roots are cut off, then pothos may show some adverse consequences, such as damaged leaves, cracks appearing, and so on. Because cutting off the aerial roots will reduce the leaves' absorption of water, the leaves will develop problems, affecting their ornamental value.

Finally, if the aerial roots of pothos are cut short, the root system will certainly be left with wounds, and the direct consequence of these wounds is that pathogens can invade more easily. Only when the roots are intact will pathogen invasion be reduced. If the root system is cut short and has wounds, pathogens will find a gap to invade through, and in severe cases this can lead to root rot in pothos.

Causes of pothos root rot and solutions

1. Causes of root rot

1. Temperature too low

Pothos is a heat-loving plant, and the most suitable growing temperature is 15~25°C. In winter it cannot go below 10°C if it is to survive the winter safely. When the temperature is too low, root growth will be inhibited, making root rot likely.

2. Overwatering

Pothos likes water, but that does not mean it should be watered a lot. Soil culture and water culture are different. In water culture, the water is changed frequently, and it is enough to ensure there is sufficient oxygen in the water. In soil culture, watering simply provides water for the plant's growth. When too much water is given, the soil will lack oxygen, the roots cannot get oxygen, and rot occurs.

3. Fungal and pathogen infection

Bacterial infection is unavoidable, and in a hot and humid environment, plants are very susceptible to fungal attack.

4. Poor water quality

Another important cause of root rot is that the water quality is dirty, with a large amount of bacteria present in the water. Being in this kind of environment for a long time means the roots cannot get enough nutrients for growth, making root rot very likely.

2. Treatment methods

1. Soil-grown pothos

Root rot in soil-cultured pothos is generally caused by water accumulation. What you need to do is give the pothos a new home. Prepare new soil, add more large-particle soil such as peat, cut off the rotted roots of the pothos, wash them clean, and replant. If the original plant really is too rotten to save, you can only cut off branches and leaves and re-propagate them by cuttings.

2. Water-grown pothos

If water-grown pothos has rotted beyond saving, the owner must have been very lazy and not known to change the water. When the roots gradually turn to mush, accompanied by a foul smell, a perfectly good potted plant is ruined. But it is not a big deal either. Take the pothos out and cut off the rotted parts. In addition, be sure to wash the bottle clean and disinfect it by the way. Then change the water and re-grow it in water.

What to do if pothos leaves turn black

1. Temperature

A large part of the reason pothos leaves turn black is related to indoor temperature. In some people's homes the temperature is very low, even often below 10°C, and this temperature is not suitable for its growth, so it will also show the symptom of black leaves due to the unsuitable environment.

Measures: To solve the problem of pothos leaves turning black, you must ensure that the pothos grows in an indoor environment with a suitable temperature.

2. Light

Pothos is a plant that is very afraid of strong light. Especially in summer, if too strong sunlight shines on its leaves, over time the leaves will turn black, so its leaves turning black is also greatly related to light.

Measures: Place the pothos in a shady spot and let as much scattered sunlight as possible reach the whole pothos plant. Only in this way can this serious problem of black leaves be solved.

3. Watering

Many people are very lazy, and even if they grow flowers they do not like to water them. If there is no moisture to nourish it for a long time, its leaves can easily turn black.

Measures: Be sure to increase the frequency of watering.

How to prune pothos

1. Pruning potted pothos

Potted pothos generally has a moss pole. When the pothos vines have covered the moss pole and grown about 20 cm past it, it is time to prune. When pruning, note that you should prune half at a time. First cut off about 40 cm of half of the pothos stems and leaves, and after this part grows new leaves, cut the other half. If pruning in winter, because poor growth is caused by environmental reasons, you can appropriately shorten the pruning length, and you can cut off 1/2 or 2/3 of the plant's vines respectively. In this way, new leaves will soon grow and cover the entire moss pole.

2. Pruning trailing pothos

Trailing pothos has no moss pole, so pruning is based on the potting soil as the standard. Generally, cut off the branches and leaves 20 cm from the potting soil, and after new leaves of equal length have grown, cut off the old leaves at the bottom. Pruning should ensure that all branches and leaves are renewed. After pruning the branches and leaves, more care should be given so that it benefits the growth of the pothos.

The editor previously talked with everyone about how the key to making water-grown pothos root quickly lies in its aerial roots, so if the aerial roots grow very long, it is best not to prune them either. However, do not be stingy with rotted roots; appropriate root trimming should still be carried out.