Complete guide to pothos care

Pothos, also known as devil's ivy, is an easy-to-care-for houseplant with attractive, heart-shaped leaves and trailing stems. With the right care, a pothos can be a long-lasting addition to any home. Keep your pothos happy by:

• Avoiding direct sunlight - pothos prefer bright, but indirect light
• Watering when the top two inches of soil feel dry
• Misting every few days - they love a humid environment

Pothos are known by lots of different names - including devil's ivy - and come in plenty of shapes, sizes and colours. They'll happily trail from a shelf, or climb up a mosspole - the choice is yours. Our pothos collection includes Rapunzel the golden pothos, Pascal the neon pothos, Lizzie the 'Marble Queen' pothos and Silvy the satin pothos.

In the wild, devil's ivy is usually found in forests in south-east Asia. It grows up the trunks of large trees, happily living in quite deep shade. That's how it gets its name, devil's ivy, because it's a friend of the darkness.

This is an ideal beginner’s plant that gives impressive results with very little work from you.

Pothos prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Place the plant near a window, but not directly in the sun, and it will grow quickly. If the plant is receiving too much light, its leaves may turn yellow.

Your pothos should be watered when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. To water, slowly pour water into the soil until it's moist, but not waterlogged. Remove your pothos from the decorative pot, water it in the sink and leave it to drain. Check back on your pothos and discard any water that collects in the bottom of the decorative pot.

Pothos like humid environments, so you may want to mist the leaves or place the pot on a humidity tray. Alternatively, you can keep your pothos in a naturally humid spot, like a kitchen or bathroom.

Pothos prefer temperatures of 18-24°C. If you're a comfortable temperature, they will be too.

To encourage quick and healthy growth, pothos should be fertilised once a month in spring and summer using a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength. Only feed your pothos in spring and summer, as this is when your plant is in its active growing phase.

You can prune your pothos to keep it looking neat and encourage new growth. To prune, use pruning shears to cut stems back to the desired length. Don't worry, it won't hurt your plant. If you spot any yellow or dying leaves, you can also snip those off. This will help your pothos put more energy into growing new leaves, instead of try to save old leaves.

Pothos should be repotted every two to three years to provide fresh soil and nutrients. Use a potting soil formulated for houseplants.

Pothos may be susceptible to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Check your pothos regularly for pests and if pests are present, treat with a pesticide formulated for houseplants.

With the proper care, a pothos can be a long-lasting addition to your home. It's important to give the plant enough light, water, and humidity, as well as fertilise, prune, and repot it regularly. If pests are present, treat them immediately. With the right care, your pothos will thrive for years to come.