The Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Pothos, is a resilient houseplant recognized for its heart-shaped leaves and vigorous, trailing growth. Due to its rapid development, occasional trimming is necessary to maintain the plant’s health, manage its size, and control its aesthetic appeal. Cutting back the vines encourages a fuller appearance and is the primary method for generating new plants.
Understanding Why and When to Prune
Pruning encourages a more compact and dense form. When vines grow long without intervention, sections closer to the pot can lose leaves, resulting in a “leggy” appearance with foliage concentrated only at the ends. Removing these sections forces the plant to activate dormant buds closer to the soil line, leading to new side shoots and a bushier crown.
Trimming also removes damaged, yellowing, or dead leaves and stems, allowing the plant to redirect energy toward healthy growth. The best time for a significant reduction in size is during the active growing season, typically late spring through early fall. Performing a major trim during this period ensures the plant has sufficient light and energy to recover quickly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Trimming
Before trimming, gather sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears; sterilizing the blades with rubbing alcohol prevents disease transfer. Wear gloves, as Pothos sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause mild skin irritation. Examine the plant and decide on the desired shape and length for the remaining vines.
The most important feature to identify is the node, which appears as a small, raised bump where a leaf meets the stem and where aerial roots often emerge. The cut should be made about 1/4 inch above a node on the stem, as this point contains the tissue that initiates new growth. Cutting just above the node ensures the remaining stem segment will not die back and will produce a new vine, contributing to a fuller plant.
Avoid removing too much foliage at one time to prevent stress on the parent plant. A general guideline is to remove no more than one-third of the total plant mass during a single pruning session. If the goal is a more compact plant, cut the vines back closer to the crown, ensuring at least one or two nodes remain on the rooted stem section.
Propagating New Pothos Plants
The healthy vine sections removed during trimming are suited for propagation, allowing you to expand your collection. To prepare the cuttings, section the vine so each piece contains at least one leaf and one node, making the cut roughly 1/2 inch below the node. Any leaves that would be submerged should be stripped away, as they will rot in the water or soil.
One common method is rooting in water, where cuttings are placed in clean water with the node submerged. Roots typically form within one to three weeks, and the water should be refreshed every few days to maintain oxygen levels and prevent bacterial growth. A second approach is direct soil propagation, where cuttings are planted directly into a moist, well-draining potting mix. While rooting in soil can take four to six weeks, the resulting roots are adapted to the soil environment, minimizing transplant shock.
Essential Care After Trimming
Following a significant trim, the parent Pothos requires consistent care to support its recovery and new growth production. Immediately after cutting, maintain your regular watering routine, waiting until the top two inches of soil have dried out before watering again. It is important to avoid overwatering, as the reduced foliage mass means the plant will use less water than before the trim.
Place the trimmed plant in a location that receives bright, indirect light. This light provides the necessary energy for photosynthesis without the risk of scorching the newly exposed growth points. To further encourage the development of new vines, a light application of a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer can be beneficial, especially if the trimming occurred during the active growing season. This provision of nutrients supports the rapid cell division required to produce a bushier, healthier plant.