By Johnson 
Pothos is easy to grow and requires low-maintenance, which makes it perfect choice for gardening beginners.
You just need a small cutting to propagate pothos in water or soil to expand your green collection.
They are easy to grow, but this doesn’t mean that they are not prone to growing problems.
Common pothos problems include yellowing of leaves, brown spots, curling, brown tips, stunted plant growth and spotted leaves. These issues are often caused by overwatering, poor lighting, or low humidity levels.
In this write-up, you’ll learn how to fix these growing issues.
9 Common Pothos Growing Problems and How to Fix them
You can prevent most pothos problems before they even start, if you take proper care.
Simple things like checking soil moisture, placing the plant in bright indirect light, and trimming occasionally can make a big difference.
As a plant parent allot a bit of routine attention to your pothos, it will stay lush, green, and problem-free.
1. Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing of lower or older leaves are common and nothing to worry. But, when you notice new leaves are turning yellow, then it might be a sign of plant stress.
One of the main causes of yellowing leaves is overwatering.
Pothos plants don’t like to sit in soggy soil, and too much moisture can lead to root rot, which then causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
If the yellowing starts from the lower leaves and the soil feels consistently wet, overwatering is likely the culprit.
On the flip side, underwatering can also cause leaves to yellow, though this is typically accompanied by dry, crispy edges.
It’s all about finding the right balance—wait until the top inch or two of the soil is dry before watering again.
Apart from watering issues, insufficient sunlight and nutritional deficiency can cause yellowing of pothos.
- To fix the issue, start by checking your watering habits and adjust them accordingly.
- Ensure the plant is in a well-lit spot and consider feeding it if it hasn’t been fertilized in months.
- Prune off the yellow leaves to redirect energy to new growth—once a leaf turns yellow, it won’t turn green again.
2. Brown Leaf Tips
If the tips of your pothos leaves are turning brown and dry, it’s usually a subtle sign that something is wrong. While it may not be as alarming as yellowing or spotting, it’s still a useful clue that your plant needs some attention.
The most common cause of brown leaf tips is low humidity.
Pothos are native to tropical environments where the air is naturally moist. In dry indoor conditions—especially during winter or in air-conditioned rooms—the lack of humidity can cause the tips of the leaves to dry out and turn brown.
Inconsistent watering and excessive fertilization can also result in brown tips.
Feeding your pothos too frequently or with a strong fertilizer can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil, which then damages the roots and shows up as crispy brown leaf tips.
- To fix the issue, start by trimming off the browned tips with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy.
- Increase humidity by misting the leaves, using a humidifier, or placing a tray of water near the plant. Make sure you’re watering consistently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
- If you’ve been fertilizing often, flush the soil with clean water to remove excess salts and reduce feeding frequency.
Though brown tips won’t return to green, improving conditions will help prevent the problem from getting worse and keep new growth healthy and vibrant.
3. Curling Leaves
When the lush, flat leaves of your pothos start to curl inward or downward, it’s a sign that the plant is stressed and trying to protect itself.
Leaf curl isn’t a disease on its own, but rather a symptom of environmental stress—most commonly related to watering or temperature.
The leading cause of curling leaves is underwatering.
When pothos don’t get enough water, their leaves curl to conserve moisture. This is especially common if the soil is bone-dry or if you’ve missed a few watering sessions. The plant will also appear droopy, and the leaves may feel thin or papery to the touch.
On the other hand, overwatering can also cause curling, though it’s less common. In this case, the soil stays too wet, damaging the roots and limiting their ability to absorb water, which causes the same moisture stress symptoms.
Temperature stress is another major factor. Pothos prefer warm environments and can react poorly to cold drafts, sudden temperature drops, or being placed near AC vents. The leaves may curl and even develop discoloration if the temperature dips too low.
- To fix curling leaves, first check the soil moisture. If it’s dry, give your plant a thorough watering and let the excess drain out.
- If the soil is too soggy, let it dry before watering again and consider repotting in better-draining soil.
- Also, move your plant away from cold windows, vents, or direct blasts of hot or cold air.
Once the plant recovers, new leaves will unfurl normally, and you’ll notice a return to that signature pothos fullness.
4. Black or Brown Spots
Black or dark brown spots on pothos leaves often point to fungal or bacterial infections, usually caused by overly moist conditions or poor air circulation.
This is especially common when leaves stay wet for too long or when the plant is overcrowded with little airflow between leaves.
Overwatering and soggy soil can also invite fungal diseases that show up as dark, spreading patches. In some cases, pests like thrips or spider mites may damage the leaf tissue and cause spotting as well.
- To treat the issue, prune off any affected leaves and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Improve airflow around the plant and avoid misting directly onto leaves if fungal issues are present.
- If the problem persists, use a gentle fungicide or neem oil spray.
5. Wilting or Drooping
Wilting or drooping pothos leaves can look dramatic—but it’s usually a quick fix. The most common cause is underwatering, especially if the soil feels dry and the leaves appear limp or curled. Once watered, the plant usually perks up within hours.
However, overwatering can cause the exact same droopy appearance. In that case, the roots may be damaged and unable to take up water, even though the soil feels wet.
- Always check the soil before watering. If it’s dry 1–2 inches down, give your pothos a good drink.
- If it’s wet and the plant is still drooping, consider repotting to assess root health and improve drainage.
6. Stunted Growth
If your pothos isn’t growing as fast as it should, or seems to have paused altogether, it may be suffering from nutrient deficiency, poor lighting, or root-bound conditions.
Lack of light is the most common cause—pothos needs bright, indirect light to grow vigorously. If it’s in a dim room, growth can slow to a crawl.
Similarly, not feeding the plant for a long time can deplete nutrients, especially nitrogen, which is vital for leafy growth.
- Another possible reason is that your plant has outgrown its pot. If roots are circling the base or coming out of the drainage holes, it’s time to repot.
- Move your plant to a brighter spot, feed it with a balanced fertilizer, and check the roots to see if it needs more space.
7. Leggy Vines
Leggy pothos vines—with long gaps between leaves—are a clear sign that the plant is stretching for light. In low-light conditions, pothos vines grow longer in search of better light, but produce fewer and smaller leaves along the way.
While leggy vines won’t hurt the plant, they do make it look sparse and less full. To correct the issue, move your pothos to a brighter location with indirect sunlight.
- You can also trim back the long vines to encourage bushier new growth.
- Use the cuttings to propagate new plants or fill in the base of the original pot.
8. Root Rot
Root rot is one of the most serious problems a pothos can face—and it’s almost always caused by overwatering or poor drainage.
If the soil stays soggy for too long, the roots begin to rot, turning mushy and black. Above ground, the plant may wilt, yellow, or shed leaves quickly.
To check for root rot, gently remove the plant from its pot and examine the roots. Healthy roots are white or tan and firm, while rotten roots are dark, smelly, and soft.
- Trim away any affected roots, repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil, and reduce watering frequency.
- Going forward, always wait until the top inch or two of soil is dry before watering again.
9. Spotted or Patchy Leaves
Spotted or patchy leaves—especially those with yellow or white blotches—are often a result of pest damage or nutrient imbalance.
Spider mites, mealybugs, or thrips can suck sap from the leaves, leaving behind tiny spots or pale patches.
Sometimes, inconsistent feeding or poor soil quality leads to patchy color, especially if the plant lacks micronutrients like magnesium or iron.
- Inspect your plant carefully for signs of pests (look on the undersides of leaves).
- Wipe them off with insecticidal soap or neem oil. If no pests are present, consider feeding the plant with a complete houseplant fertilizer to correct any deficiencies.
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner, then don’t assume pothos care is complicated.
Most of the issues—like yellowing leaves or drooping vines—are just signs that your plant needs a small adjustment. And once you understand what it’s asking for, keeping it happy becomes second nature.
Think of these problems as part of the learning process.
With the right care and a little consistency, your pothos will bounce back stronger and continue to thrive as one of the easiest, most rewarding houseplants you can grow.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting