How do you grow pothos so it's glossy and shiny? How do you deal with yellow leaves?

As the most common potted houseplant, there's probably no plant lover who doesn't know pothos. You might not know flowers, but you can't not know this plant, because it's just too common and too widespread.

(The ones on the pothos pole are all large-leaf pothos, grown on palm fibre)

It grows very easily and is extremely cold-tolerant; it can survive outdoors south of the Yangtze River, and you can see them in parks and botanical gardens. Pothos has a trailing habit, and it will also climb, so it works well as either a hanging basket plant or a climbing vine.

(If you take that big pothos off the pole and stick it in a pot of soil as a cutting, it will turn back into small leaves - try it if you don't believe me)

Pothos ranges from just a few cm to 3 m long. People also love it for its smooth, heart-shaped leaves, which are very pleasing to look at, and it can grow with just a bit of light - wonderful!

If you want to propagate another pot of pothos, you just need some clean water (rainwater, distilled water, or tap water left to sit for 3 days), cut a healthy stem about 5-7 cm long, remove the lower leaves, let the wound dry, then put it in water with the leaves staying above the water, and it will root quickly.

If you want your pothos to stay glossy and shiny all the time, you need to prepare some distilled water, rainwater or the like, plus a soft cloth strip, damp paper towels, diluted alcohol, and a spray bottle.

As soon as there's a bit of dust on the pothos leaves, clean it off right away. Spray with diluted alcohol mixed with water, then carefully and gently wipe it off with a soft cloth strip or damp paper towel.

Routine care tips

11. Light intensity

If pothos gets too little or too much light, its leaves will fade in colour. It needs to be placed in a spot with indirect light and a bit of shade, and of course good ventilation is essential.

This plant likes a warm, well-ventilated environment. It will wilt if the temperature is too low, and the wintering temperature should be at least above 5°C.

2. Test how dry or wet the soil is

Insert your index finger one knuckle deep into the soil to check the moisture level.

If your finger comes out dry, then the plant needs water (you can use a dry white wooden stick instead of your finger).

Water thoroughly, that is, stop once you see water dripping out into the saucer below.

It's best to use rainwater, or tap water left to sit for 3 days (watering directly with tap water over the long term will make the soil alkaline).

How do you prune pothos?

During growth, pothos will inevitably get yellow leaves, or it may grow too dense with too many branches. At that point you need to prune it - just pinch them off by hand or cut them off with a sharp, sterilised knife (dipping it in boiling water or scalding it will sterilise it).

4. Healthy pest and disease control

If you find small pests like whiteflies or aphids, you can mix 2 tablespoons of dish soap (one without bleach), 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 4 litres of distilled water or rainwater, stir well, then spray the plant, and after two hours rinse the plant with clean water. (Repeat for 5-7 days and the pests will be gone for good)

5. Keep the leaf surface clean

Clean the leaf surface at least once a week; you can wipe it with a damp soft cloth. This removes dust, helps the plant grow faster, and improves its air-purifying effect.

6. How to make the plant grow faster

If you want your pothos to grow better, using loose, fertile humus soil is best, and the soil must drain well. The potted pothos bought at the flower market all drain very well, but they aren't fertile, so you need to add a suitable amount of compost soil for it to grow well. (The container's drainage holes must be good)

7. The right amount of fertiliser

Pothos is generally given diluted liquid fertiliser for foliage plants (compound fertiliser). These are very common at the flower market, and any flower shop sells them. Generally once a month in spring, summer and autumn is best, and of course there's no need to do it too often; don't fertilise when it's too hot or too cold.

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss the pothos you've killed over the years, and how they died.