How to Grow Pothos and Solutions for Yellow Leaves
Pothos is a very popular green plant because it has the ability to absorb harmful gases from the air, so it is suitable for placing in offices or newly renovated houses. In addition, pothos is also relatively easy to care for, so even beginners at growing plants will have no problem. So how do you grow pothos? What should you do when yellow leaves appear?
1. How do you grow pothos?
1. Sufficient light
All plants need photosynthesis, and even shade-loving pothos needs it. Only sufficient photosynthesis can make pothos grow more densely and vigorously; if there is not enough light, pothos will become very listless. But in summer, the sunlight it receives should be moderate. Pothos likes shade, so it is better to let it receive sunlight once every half month than to let it be exposed to the sun.
2. Suitable temperature
The most important thing to pay attention to when it comes to whether pothos grows vigorously is temperature. Pothos is really very sensitive to temperature. If the temperature is below 10 degrees, it should be placed in a slightly warmer place. And too high a temperature is also no good; be sure not to place it next to a high-temperature heater or oven.
3. Water appropriately
Watering appropriately is the most important point for how to grow pothos so that it thrives. You should know that pothos is a green plant that likes cool, moist conditions, and when it is growing, the potting soil should often be kept moist. But do not water too much either, otherwise it will cause root rot in pothos, or yellowing and withering of the leaves. In summer, be sure to frequently spray water on the leaf surface to ensure sufficient moisture. In winter, you need to wash its leaves with warm water every 4 days, which both ensures sufficient moisture and washes away dust from the leaves.
4. Fertilize at the right time
Pothos is not very suitable for autumn and winter, because in winter the growth cycle of pothos becomes very slow, and at this time it must not be fertilized. The best fertilizing season is spring, during the peak growth period. It is recommended to fertilize once every half month, not more and not less. As for fertilizer, there are many fertilizers on the market for pothos, and any of them can be chosen.
2. What should you do when yellow leaves appear on pothos?
1. Drought yellowing
Yellowing from lack of water is different from yellowing from too much water. Yellowing from lack of water shows as the leaf tips or edges becoming withered and dry, with old leaves turning yellow and falling off from the bottom up, but new leaves growing relatively normally. Just be sure to water thoroughly and sufficiently.
2. Light-deficiency yellowing
If placed in a shady environment for a long time, the leaves cannot get enough sunlight and cannot form chlorophyll, so the whole plant's leaves turn yellow and then fall off. Supplementing light can prevent this problem.
3. Nutrient-deficiency yellowing
This shows as the color of young leaves becoming lighter, appearing yellow or pale green, while old leaves are relatively normal or gradually turn from green to yellow. Often check the potting soil; if there is dry caking, the soil should be changed. Usually apply light fertilizer frequently and water at the right time with some alum water to supplement iron.
4. Fertilizer yellowing
Yellowing caused by too much fertilizer or too high a concentration shows as dry brown tips on new leaves. Generally the leaf surface is thick and lacks luster, and is uneven and not smooth, while old leaves turn scorched yellow and fall off. Fertilizing should be stopped immediately, and in severe cases a large amount of water should be used to flush out part of the fertilizer.