What to Do When a Pothos Has Root Rot and Yellow Leaves? Use Eggshells Cleverly to Give It a New Lease on Life

  Many people love growing flowers, but because they are often busy with work and family and have no time to tend to plants, they choose low-maintenance plants. The most popular among people nationwide is pothos. But although pothos is easy to grow, for some beginners, not long after getting one, the leaves of the pothos turn yellow, and there may even be root rot. At this point, many friends choose to water frantically. Doing so not only fails to ease the problem, but actually speeds up the pothos's death. So today, the editor will teach everyone a trick to give your pothos a new lease on life, so that for ten years it will not turn yellow or develop root rot.

  Pothos is a plant that likes shade and water, so it is not suitable to keep it in strong sunlight or on a balcony, as this can easily scorch the leaves and speed up yellowing. It is best to place it in a cooler indoor spot. If it is kept on a balcony, it is best to use a cloth to block some of the sunlight.

  In addition, if the pothos develops root rot, be sure to cut it off promptly so as not to affect the other roots.

  The method is very simple:First, turn it upside down and take the pothos out of the soil, then cut off the roots that have already become soft and rotten, and finally put it into a nutrient solution to soak for a while, then replant it in the soil.。

  Pothos is not afraid that you will kill it by growing it; it is afraid that you will not grow it well. So, if you want to grow pothos beautifully, the editor will teach everyone another trick here:Prepare some fresh eggshells, crush them and put them into a mineral water bottle, pour in some white vinegar (just enough to submerge the eggshells), cover the mineral water bottle with its lid and seal it for two hours, then dilute this water and pour it into the pothos. At this point the water is equivalent to a nutrient solution, which can promptly supplement nutrients for the pothos, thereby promoting more vigorous growth.。

What to Do About Pothos Root Rot and What Are the Causes of Pothos Root Rot

Pothos grows in tropical regions, often climbing on rocks and tree trunks in rainforests. It has strong twining ability and well-developed aerial roots. It can be grown both in soil and in water. Now let us take a look at what to do about pothos root rot!

I. Causes of Pothos Root Rot

1. Temperature too low: Pothos is a heat-loving plant. The most suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C, and in winter it must not go below 10°C for it to overwinter safely. When the temperature is too low, root growth is inhibited, making root rot easy.

2. Overwatering: Pothos likes water, but that does not mean it should be watered a lot. Watering simply provides moisture for the plant's growth. When watered too much, the soil becomes oxygen-deficient, the roots cannot get oxygen, and rot occurs.

3. Pathogen infection: When growing pothos, infection by pathogens is unavoidable. In a hot and humid environment, the plant is very susceptible to fungal attack.

4. Poor water quality: If the water used for pothos is dirty and contains a large amount of bacteria, then being in this kind of environment for a long time means the roots cannot get enough nutrients, making root rot very easy.

II. What to Do About Pothos Root Rot

1. Root rot in soil cultivation: Root rot in soil-grown pothos is generally caused by water accumulation. At this point, what needs to be done is to give the pothos a new home. Prepare new soil, add more large-particle soil such as peat, cut off the rotten roots of the pothos, wash them clean, and replant. If the original plant is truly too rotten to save, you can only cut off branches and leaves and re-propagate by cuttings.

2. Root rot in water cultivation: Severe root rot in water-grown pothos must be caused by the owner being too lazy to change the water. When the roots gradually turn to mush and give off a foul odor, a perfectly good potted plant is ruined. But it is not a big deal. Take the pothos out and cut off the rotten parts. In addition, be sure to wash the bottle clean and disinfect it as well. Then change the water and re-grow it in water.

III. How to Grow Pothos

1. Light: Pothos does not have a strong tendency to grow toward the sun. But in the north during autumn and winter, to supplement the lack of temperature and photosynthesis, the light intensity should be increased. At the same time, when the temperature is low, open windows as little as possible, because in a very short time the leaves may be frostbitten.

2. Humidity: Pothos grows faster in environments with higher air humidity. It is recommended to maintain indoor humidity. You can use a humidifier to increase air humidity, or cover the plant with a transparent plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse effect, but this should not exceed two hours.

3. Temperature: Pothos is very sensitive to temperature. If the temperature is too low, it is easily frostbitten. A room temperature of around 20°C is fine. If heating equipment is in use, the pothos leaves should not be too close to it. Keeping the indoor temperature above 10°C is enough for it to pass through winter safely.

4. Fertilizing: Because pothos is grown indoors, it absorbs less nutrients than it would outdoors. It is recommended to apply fertilizer once every half month. You can buy fertilizer specially made for pothos on the market, or ask the flower shop owner to help choose fertilizer.

5. Watering: When watering pothos, do not pour water directly into the pot. Instead, first slowly pour the water in, wait for it to seep down, and then spray evenly, waiting for the water to penetrate. In addition, water should also be sprayed where the aerial roots grow, to reduce insufficient root water uptake caused by overly rapid evaporation.

6. Shaping: Shaping and pruning of pothos is carried out in spring. When the stems and vines have covered the moss pole and the tips extend about 20 cm beyond the moss pole, cut off 40 cm of the stem tips of 2-3 of the plants. After new buds and new leaves sprout following the cutting back, cut off the stem tips of the remaining plants.

7. Pests and diseases: Pothos plants are very susceptible to problems from pests and pathogens. Typical pests affecting pothos include mealybugs, red spider mites, scale insects, and so on. Mealybugs are usually the most common, and can be controlled with alcohol, removed with cotton swabs, or picked off by hand.

What to Do When Pothos Leaves Turn Yellow and Roots Rot? How to Save It?

During indoor cultivation of pothos, too little or too much water, too strong or too weak sunlight, and too much or too little fertilizer can all cause pothos leaves to turn yellow or even develop root rot. What should be done when pothos always turns yellow and also has root rot? Do not be afraid! Learn the following tricks, and the pothos leaves will be glossy green and climb all over the wall.

Symptoms: The leaf tips and leaf edges become withered and dry, newly sprouted tender leaves grow normally, and old leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Solution: When a lack of water is detected, water immediately, and water thoroughly in one go, meaning the water flows out from the small holes at the bottom.

Symptoms: Both new leaves and old leaves are on the yellowish side, indicating insufficient light, while marks of scorching on the leaves indicate the light is too strong.

Solution: The best place to put pothos is a bright living room, where it can receive scattered light and will not be scorched by direct sunlight.

Symptoms: The leaves are thick and fleshy but lack luster, and old leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Solution: If it has not been long since fertilizing, you can flush the roots with clean water so that the excess fertilizer dissolves in the water and flows out through the small holes at the bottom. If it has been a while since fertilizing, then you can only change the soil.

Symptoms: The leaves turn yellow, wilt, and lie flat; when root rot is severe, you can even see the stem rotting!

Solution: If the root rot is not serious, you can cut off the rotten parts of the roots, then disinfect and replant (the planting soil must be replaced with new soil). If the root rot is especially severe, then cut off the relatively healthy branches for cuttings or water cultivation!

Symptoms: The leaves wilt, turn black, and lie flat.

Solution: In this season, the possibility of frostbite is relatively small, but once frostbitten, all the aboveground parts must be cut off, and then it should be placed in a warm place to wait for it to grow new leaves.