What are the precautions for growing pothos (Epipremnum aureum) in water?

Pothos is very suitable for indoor foliage display, and it can also help purify indoor air, making the environment cleaner and breathing smoother. Although pothos is a climbing plant with relatively slender stems and branches, and thick, lush green leaves, we can propagate it through cuttings.

Pothos can be propagated not only by soil culture but also by water culture; as long as the method is appropriate, it can root and sprout smoothly. Compared with soil culture, water culture grows more slowly, but its care and management are simple. So, what should be noted when growing pothos in water? What precautions are there?

1. Avoid direct sunlight

Pothos is a shade-tolerant green plant that is very suitable for indoor care. As long as the environment is well ventilated and can receive scattered light, it can maintain normal growth. It can be said that pothos is shade-loving; once exposed to strong direct light or scorching sun, not only are the leaves likely to become smaller and the leaf color dull, but sunburn may also occur.

2. Spray water frequently

Although pothos does not like overly strong sunlight, it prefers a warm and humid growing environment, so we need to spray it with water frequently to retain moisture. Only when the humidity environment is suitable can pothos maintain normal growth and avoid many poor growth phenomena such as yellow leaves. Moreover, frequent spraying can clean the leaf surface, thereby improving the leaves' ability to exchange air, so it can effectively promote plant growth.

3. Wash the roots frequently

Because in the process of growing pothos in water, over time some adhering matter or impurities are likely to form in the water, especially when water quality is damaged and becomes turbid. This not only inhibits the respiration of its root system, but also carries the risk of bacterial infection, making root rot relatively likely.

Therefore, we need to change the water regularly and wash the plant's roots, including cleaning the inner walls of the container thoroughly as well. Moreover, if weak old roots, overly thin roots, damaged roots or other poor roots are found, timely root pruning should be done and carbendazim or potassium permanganate should be used for disinfection, then the plant should be placed back into the container for water culture.