Whether you're a novice indoor gardener or a budding plant parent, the pothos is a plant everyone should have!

With its long, flowing vines and heart-shaped leaves, the pothos is one of the most recognizable houseplants. You've likely spotted many over the years, growing cheerily in offices, friends' homes, and garden centers. A tropical plant with several varieties, this sprawling vine can grow to over ten feet long! If you're wondering how to care for a pothos plant of your own, look no further! Here are some common plant care, training, and propagation tips you'll need to get started, along with some tricks for spreading the tropical love this holiday season by gifting one to a friend.

General Care Requirements

The pothos plant is super easy to care for, and will add visual interest to your home for many years if you follow these simple plant care requirements:

• Soil: The pothos isn't very picky, meaning it'll do well in any soil with good drainage. Make sure your pot has adequate drainage holes at the bottom.
• Water: Let your pothos plant dry out a bit between waterings, until there's about an inch of dry soil at the top. Then, water it thoroughly until it trickles out the bottom, but don't allow water to pool in the plants' dish or water tray.
• Light: The best conditions for a pothos plant are bright but indirect light. Place your plant near a window with lots of natural light during the day, but be mindful that exposure to direct sunlight can scorch leaves.
• Food: Pothos plants will do well without fertilizer, but if you're hoping to maximize the growing season during the spring and summer months, fertilize once a month for extra growth.
• Pruning: Snip off any yellowing leaves, and cut any 'leggy'-looking vines off just below a growth node or leaf. These leggy or wandering growths are due to an insufficient light source, so they may be indicators that you need to move your plant.

Training

Part of pothos plant care involves helping it realize its full potential. As a vining plant, you can train your pothos to climb! Although many people keep their pothos as hanging plants, watching them climb and twist can be a very fulfilling experience as a plant owner. Here's what you’ll need to do:

• Make or purchase a moss pole. Moss support poles are popular choices for climbing plants and are fairly easy to construct. We also carry a selection of moss poles and other plant care at Wallace's Garden Center.
• Use orchid clips, twine, or thin velcro strips to secure the moss pole into your plant's pot and wrap the longest vine around it first, securing the plant along the way.
• Keep wrapping until you get to the shortest vines.
• Regularly mist the bare pole alongside your normal plant care routine to encourage the vines to grow into the moss, resulting in a more luscious growth.

Propagation

Now that you're in love with your pothos plant, you probably want some more. Well, good news: this green Goddess is super simple to propagate! All you need to do is cut a stem with at least two leaves and a growth node from your mother plant. Put this cutting in a container of water, and wait until your stem has sprouted about 3 inches of roots before planting in fresh soil. Once you've planted your new pothos, you can continue with its standard plant care. Propagated pothos plants also make great gifts, just in case you're still looking for something to give those last few people on your list this year!

Common Problems with Pothos

Every plant has to deal with its own issues, but knowing what to do will help you keep your pothos thriving! Here are some common problems you might encounter and how best to deal with them:

• Yellow leaves: One of the most common plant care problems in general, the pothos is prone to yellowing leaves. Overwatering is usually the culprit, so make sure you allow your pothos to dry out between waterings.
• Brown spots: These are likely due to too much direct sunlight, so try to keep your pothos in indirect bright light when possible. Proper light conditions will help your pothos grow those lush, bushy leaves.
• Root bind: Pothos grow quickly, so keep a close eye on your plant's roots to make sure they're not getting bound up in their pot's drainage holes.

With all of its variety, the pothos is a great houseplant and makes the perfect gift for friends and family. If you're looking for where to buy your next pothos plant this holiday season, look no further: stop by Wallace's Garden Center in Bettendorf, IA, and shop our collection today!