How to Grow Pothos and Spider Plant? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Pothos is native to Central and South America. Its vines grow several meters long, with aerial roots at the nodes. As the plant ages, the stems thicken and the leaves grow larger. The leaves are alternate, green, with a few leaves showing slight yellow mottling, entire and heart-shaped. It is a large evergreen climbing plant that grows in tropical regions, often climbing over rocks and tree trunks in rainforests, and can grow into a huge vine.

Physiological Characteristics

It likes warm, humid environments and requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil. For potted pothos, choose fertile, loose, well-drained leaf mold soil, preferably slightly acidic. Pothos is extremely shade-tolerant and can be placed in a sunny spot indoors year-round. In dimly lit rooms, it should be moved to a brighter environment every half month to recover for a period, otherwise the internodes tend to elongate and the leaves become smaller. Pothos likes hot and humid environments. The overwintering temperature should not be lower than 15°C. The potting soil should be kept moist, and the leaves should be misted frequently to raise air humidity and promote the growth of aerial roots. During the vigorous growth period, apply liquid fertilizer once a month. For plants kept indoors for a long time, the leaves at the base of the stems tend to drop, reducing their ornamental value. In May and June when temperatures warm up, pruning and renewal can be done together with cuttings to encourage new shoots from the base of the stems.

Temperature

In winter, pothos can survive safely above 10°C, and generally grows normally above 20°C. Therefore, an ordinary home environment is quite suitable for pothos. The original growing conditions of pothos are in forests shaded by towering trees, so its heliotropism is not strong. However, in the northern autumn and winter, to compensate for the lack of temperature and photosynthesis, its light exposure should be increased. The method is to place the pothos in the brightest spot indoors, or move it to a sealed balcony to sunbathe at noon. At the same time, when the temperature is low, open the windows as little as possible, because the leaves may be frostbitten within a very short time.

Light

Pothos does not have strong heliotropism, so when growing it, place it in a spot indoors with good light, and at noon it can be put in the sun for a while. In the north, with a room temperature above 10°C, pothos can survive the winter safely; with a room temperature above 20°C, pothos can grow normally. Ordinary households generally have no problem reaching this temperature. What needs attention is avoiding excessive temperature differences, and also making sure the leaves are not close to heating equipment.

Water

When growing pothos, do not water too much. You can spray water at the rooting area, which reduces the evaporation rate of water. Water daily to keep the soil moist, but do not let water accumulate and breed mosquitoes. In autumn and winter, the amount of watering should be strictly controlled according to room temperature. Before heating is turned on, temperatures are lower and the soil of the plant evaporates more slowly, so watering should be reduced, with the amount controlled between 1/4 and 1/2 of the original. Even after heating is turned on, watering should not be too frequent. When watering, pour less into the pot and let water seep through the coir. In addition, mist the aerial root growth areas on the coir pole to reduce insufficient root water uptake caused by excessive evaporation. For winter watering, water that has been left to sit for a day is better; water that is too cold can easily damage the roots.

Fertilizer

For fertilizing pothos leaves, since ordinary inorganic fertilizers are difficult to absorb, a special fertilizer is needed. In the autumn and winter in the north, plants mostly grow slowly or even stop growing, so fertilization should be reduced. Before winter begins, mainly apply liquid inorganic fertilizer by watering or spraying, about once every 15 days. After winter begins, fertilization should mainly be foliar spraying, applied mainly through the stomata on the leaves. The fertilizer is absorbed through the stomata on the leaves, and the fertilizer effect can act directly on the leaf surface. Foliar fertilizer should be a special fertilizer; ordinary inorganic fertilizer is not easily absorbed by the leaves. The Beida Huhuashen series and Japan's Hua Yifan can both be used as foliar fertilizers.

Pest and Disease Control for Pothos

1. Pothos anthracnose: This pathogen mostly harms the middle section of leaves, and can also harm flowers. At first, wet reddish-brown or dark brown small pustule-like spots appear on the diseased area, with a faded green halo around the spots. After expanding, they form oblong or elongated patches, with dark brown edges, yellow-brown interiors, and ring-shaped markings formed by dark spots gathering together. Because its spots are dark brown, it is also called black spot disease or dark brown disease. It can infect repeatedly during the plant's growing period. Control methods for pothos anthracnose:

① There are many pesticides that can control anthracnose, such as mancozeb, carbendazim, thiophanate, and tante ling, all of which have certain control effects.

② The German-made "Sporgon" at 1,500 times dilution is a specific remedy for treating anthracnose.

2. Root rot: 5% carbofuran granules can be used.

3. Leaf spot: 95% amobam at 500 times dilution, or 80% carbendazim wettable powder at 1,000 times dilution, can be sprayed for control.

The Cultivation Value of Pothos

Pothos is an evergreen climbing plant, with yellow patches on its green leaves that are very shiny. It can be placed on a desk or high on a windowsill, letting its vines hang down gracefully like a green relief. This not only makes full use of space, but also adds a lively, brightly colored green decoration to the room, full of charm. In addition, it can be grown in water as an exquisite small decoration for the home.

1. The ornamental value of pothos: It has strong twining ability and well-developed aerial roots. It can be allowed to climb on a cylinder tied with coir and placed in an entrance hall or hotel, or grown into a hanging form and placed in a study or on a windowsill. It is a flower suitable for indoor placement. This not only makes full use of space and purifies the air, but also adds a lively, brightly colored green decoration to a dull cabinet surface, full of vitality and adding charm to the room. Its flower meaning, "watching over happiness," also increases its ornamental appeal.

2. The greening effect of pothos: Pothos not only has strong vitality, but when placed indoors, its air-purifying ability is no less than that of ivy and spider plant. Pothos can absorb benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and others from the air. According to environmental scientists, a newly decorated home should be ventilated more, and at the same time use some and then place a few pots of pothos, and basically it can reach the standard for moving in. This shows that AQ air-purifying spray water has quite strong ability. Newly laid flooring very easily produces harmful substances. Since pothos can simultaneously purify benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde in the air, it is very suitable for placement in newly decorated rooms.

3. Green purifier: Pothos is a relatively common green plant, with long branches draping down and swaying gracefully, very capable of making a space full of vitality. Pothos also has an extremely strong air-purifying function and has the reputation of being a green purifier. Pothos can convert formaldehyde into substances such as sugar or amino acids during metabolism, and can also decompose benzene emitted by copiers and printers, and can absorb it as well. So whether in a home or an office, it is a great air purifier.

The Health Secrets of Pothos

Pothos is an excellent plant for purifying formaldehyde and ammonia, and placing it near a computer also has a relatively good anti-radiation effect. However, its sap is toxic, so children should avoid touching it.

Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Pothos and Spider Plant

Pothos picture: Green-leaf pothos

Pothos picture: Golden pothos

Pothos picture: Variegated pothos

How to Grow Pothos and Spider Plant, Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Pothos and Spider Plant

Pothos is usually grown in pots indoors, placed in studies, living rooms, offices and similar places. It can bring a beautiful visual feeling and purify the environment. Among large climbing plants, pothos, like spider plant and ivy, has a powerful air-purifying effect.

   Pothos and spider plant are shade plants, mostly potted as climbing foliage flowers. They like warm, humid environments and require loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Because pothos can absorb benzene, formaldehyde and others from the air, it is widely grown indoors.

   In spring, summer and autumn, pothos can be placed near an east- or north-facing windowsill; in winter, it can be placed at a south-facing window.
   If it is kept for a long time in an environment with too dim light, it will not only cause the trailing stems to become leggy, with longer internodes and a sparse plant shape, but the yellow-white striped markings on the leaves will also become smaller and lighter in color, and the markings may even disappear completely and fade to green. If placed outdoors for cultivation, pay attention to shading, especially in summer, and be even more careful to prevent direct strong light, otherwise new leaves will become smaller, leaf color will be dull, and leaf edges will easily be scorched. The suitable temperature for pothos growth is 20°C to 30°C, and the winter room temperature should not be lower than 15°C.
   Pothos likes moisture
   During the growing season, water so that the potting soil is kept moist often; never let the potting soil dry out, otherwise it easily causes yellow leaves and a poor plant shape. If too much water causes water to accumulate in the potting soil, it easily causes root rot and withered leaves. Especially when the winter room temperature is low, pay more attention to controlling watering. In summer, while watering fully, also pay attention to frequently misting the leaf surface. In winter, when the climate is dry, also mist and wash the leaves once every 4 to 5 days with warm water, washing away dust on the leaf surface to help keep the leaves bright and green.
   For potted pothos, choose fertile, loose, well-drained leaf mold soil.
   Slightly acidic is preferable. Pothos is extremely shade-tolerant and can be placed in a sunny spot indoors year-round. In dimly lit rooms, it should be moved to a brighter environment every half month to recover for a period, otherwise the internodes tend to elongate and the leaves become smaller. Pothos likes hot and humid environments. The overwintering temperature should not be lower than 15°C. The potting soil should be kept moist, and the leaves should be misted frequently to raise air humidity and promote the growth of aerial roots. Usually, pothos is propagated by layering and stem burial. In late spring and early summer, select robust pothos vines, cut 15 cm to 30 cm stems, remove the leaves from the first 1 to 2 nodes at the base, being careful not to damage the aerial roots, then insert them into plain sand or coal cinders to a depth of 1/3 of the cutting. Water thoroughly and place in a shaded spot. Mist the leaves daily or cover with plastic film to retain moisture. As long as the environment is kept no lower than 20°C, the survival rate is above 90%.

   Precautions for Cultivating Pothos and Spider Plant
   Temperature
   In winter, pothos can survive safely above 10°C, and generally grows normally above 20°C. Therefore, an ordinary home environment is quite suitable for pothos. The original growing conditions of pothos are in forests shaded by towering trees, so its heliotropism is not strong. However, in the northern autumn and winter, to compensate for the lack of temperature and photosynthesis, its light exposure should be increased. The method is to place the pothos in the brightest spot indoors, or move it to a sealed balcony to sunbathe at noon. At the same time, when the temperature is low, open the windows as little as possible, because the leaves may be frostbitten within a very short time.
   Light
   Pothos does not have strong heliotropism, so when growing it, place it in a spot indoors with good light, and at noon it can be put in the sun for a while. In the north, with a room temperature above 10°C, pothos can survive the winter safely; with a room temperature above 20°C, pothos can grow normally. Ordinary households generally have no problem reaching this temperature. What needs attention is avoiding excessive temperature differences, and also making sure the leaves are not close to heating equipment.
   Water
   When growing pothos, do not water too much. You can spray water at the rooting area, which reduces the evaporation rate of water. Water daily to keep the soil moist, but do not let water accumulate and breed mosquitoes. In autumn and winter, the amount of watering should be strictly controlled according to room temperature. Before heating is turned on, temperatures are lower and the soil of the plant evaporates more slowly, so watering should be reduced, with the amount controlled between 1/4 and 1/2 of the original. Even after heating is turned on, watering should not be too frequent. When watering, pour less into the pot and let water seep through the coir. In addition, mist the aerial root growth areas on the coir pole to reduce insufficient root water uptake caused by excessive evaporation. For winter watering, water that has been left to sit for a day is better; water that is too cold can easily damage the roots.
   Fertilizer
   For fertilizing pothos leaves, since ordinary inorganic fertilizers are difficult to absorb, a special fertilizer is needed. In the autumn and winter in the north, plants mostly grow slowly or even stop growing, so fertilization should be reduced. Before winter begins, mainly apply liquid inorganic fertilizer by watering or spraying, about once every 15 days. After winter begins, fertilization should mainly be foliar spraying, applied mainly through the stomata on the leaves. The fertilizer is absorbed through the stomata on the leaves, and the fertilizer effect can act directly on the leaf surface. Foliar fertilizer should be a special fertilizer; ordinary inorganic fertilizer is not easily absorbed by the leaves. The Beida Huhuashen series and Japan's Hua Yifan can both be used as foliar fertilizers.

   After reading this, have you found that pothos and spider plant are also very easy to keep alive? Hurry and get started, and add some spring color to your home.