Devil’s Ivy, or Pothos, is known for its hardiness and adaptability to most conditions. However, if you want your plant looking its best, you’ll still want to provide the right conditions for it to thrive. I have a bunch of Devil’s Ivy around my house because it’s so easy to care for and works well in a lot of spaces.
Today, I want to share my experience growing them and what has worked well for me in keeping them lush and thriving.
Devil’s Ivy Light Requirements
Pothos does well in indirect light and can tolerate shade, but it may produce smaller leaves and lose any variegation it has. For the best growth, place it in bright, indirect light near a window. This will encourage even variegation, larger leaves, and rapid growth.
If it gets too much direct light, the variegation may become overly bright, causing the leaves to look more yellow. To fix this, move the plant about a meter back from the window or to the side. In darker conditions, Pothos will develop greener, smaller leaves and may lose its variegation. If you can’t find a spot with more natural light, consider using a grow light as a substitute.
Devil’s Ivy Watering
In my experience, Pothos do well with weekly watering, especially if they’re getting a lot of light. I usually water once a week when the leaves start to look a little droopy. However, if the plant still looks fine and the soil is moist, I’ll wait another week before checking again by sticking my finger into the soil to feel for moisture.
They can tolerate drying out fairly well, so don’t worry too much about your watering routine—it’s one of the lowest-maintenance plants out there. I like to use a liquid fertilizer every other time I water as part of my watering routine, as I find it the easiest way to fertilize.
Devil’s Ivy Soil
Devil’s Ivy is quite vigorous and thrives in a nutrient-rich potting mix. Like most plants, it prefers soil that stays consistently moist but drains well to prevent root issues. Despite being in a small pot, they can grow very large and tolerate being root-bound quite well. However, if growth has stopped or slowed a lot, consider repotting into a larger pot.
Pruning Devil’s Ivy
I like to prune mine when the vines start getting a bit long or I start seeing dead or yellow leaves. You can use your pruning sessions as an opportunity to propagate and grow more Devil’s Ivy. Don’t be afraid to really chop it back, as new growth will come back quickly. Pruning can also be a great way to encourage fresh, vigorous growth and keep your plant looking bushy and lush.
Devil’s Ivy Common Problems
I find devils ivy rarely every gets any pests or diseases but the most common problems you are likely to encounter are:
Devil’s Ivy Yellow and Brown Leaves
If you’re wondering why your Devil’s Ivy leaves are turning yellow or brown, it’s usually related to watering issues. Check the sections below related to watering to find solutions. If your watering is under control, it’s most likely just old foliage.
The leaves will turn yellow and brown as they age and eventually fall off to make room for new growth. Just prune any old foliage back, and you’ll see new growth very quickly.
If you are regularly fertilizing your plant every 2 weeks during the growing season to encourage new growth, it’s highly unlikely to be a nitrogen deficiency, but it is still a possibility.
Completely yellow leaves across much of the leaf or on new growth are often a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Yellow leaves with green veins typically indicate iron deficiency
Devil’s Ivy Leaves Curling
The first cause could be too much light. When a plant gets too much light, it curls up its leaves to decrease the area it loses water from evaporation, similar to how we sweat. If your plant’s variegation is also very bright, this could be a sign of too much light. Move the plant to a shadier location—if it’s by a window, try moving it 1m (3ft) back or to the side.
The second reason could be not enough water. If your leaves are also very droopy or the soil looks dry, give the plant a good soak to ensure the roots are moist. Make sure to water the plant frequently enough that the soil is always slightly moist.
Finally, humidity could be a factor, but honestly, it’s most likely not. I live in a very dry climate with 0% humidity and I have no issue with leaf curling, so this leads me to believe it’s one of the first two problems. Solve those, and you’ll probably be good to go!
Underwatering Devil’s Ivy
Devil’s Ivy will get droopy leaves when underwatered, making it easy to recognize. This helps distinguish between overwatering and underwatering. A good soak will perk it back up, and you can adjust your watering routine to prevent drooping leaves.
Overwatering Devil’s Ivy
If you are overwatering, you will likely see yellow or brown leaves, soggy soil, or even fungus gnats. If the dead or dying leaves are squishy or slimy to the touch, this is another sign of overwatering.
To fix this, you can reduce your watering—start by adding another week in between waterings—or move your plant to a brighter location. Overwatering often goes hand in hand with dark locations, where plants grow slower and can’t absorb as much water from the pot.
If you’re still struggling with overwatering, try repotting your Devil’s Ivy into a well-draining potting mix to help prevent further issues.
Conclusion
Devil’s Ivy is a hardy plant that, with just a little attention to light, watering, and occasional pruning, will thrive. Whether you’re adding greenery to a sunny window or looking for a low-maintenance hanging plant, Devil’s Ivy will fit perfectly into your space.
Any issues you encounter are most likely related to light or water. Provide the conditions it loves, and you’ll enjoy plenty of success with this easy-to-care-for plant.
