Have you recently noticed your pothos plant becoming overly tall and thin? You’re not alone — many pothos owners have experienced this same phenomenon.
It’s a common problem for pothos owners, leaving them wondering why their plants are so leggy.
In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of your pothos’ legginess, and provide some solutions to get your plant back in shape.
We’ll cover topics such as identifying the cause of the legginess, adjusting your lighting setup, adjusting your watering schedule, adding fertilizer, and protecting your plant from direct sunlight.
So, let’s get started and take a look at why your pothos is so leggy!.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Pothos plants tend to become leggy when they don’t receive enough sunlight.
If your pothos is in a spot that doesn’t get enough light, it may be stretching out to try and reach more.
To help your pothos become more full and bushier, you should move it to a spot that gets at least 4 to 6 hours of indirect sunlight each day.
Additionally, pruning off the leggy stems can help encourage new growth from the base of the plant.
What is a Pothos Plant?
A pothos plant, also known as Epipremnum aureum and Devil’s Ivy, is a popular houseplant native to parts of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
It has glossy, heart-shaped leaves with a variegated pattern of white, green, and yellow.
The stems are often long and trailing, making them a great choice for hanging baskets or shelves.
Pothos plants are also extremely easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners.
They prefer bright, indirect light and thrive in warm and humid conditions.
In addition, they are known for their tolerance of low light and infrequent watering, making them a great choice for those with busy lives.
Why Do Pothos Plants Get Leggy?
When it comes to houseplants, pothos plants are usually known for their lush, trailing foliage.
Unfortunately, sometimes pothos can become leggy, meaning the stems become sparse and long and the leaves may be far apart.
So, why do pothos plants get leggy? The most common cause of leggy pothos is lack of light.
Pothos plants need bright, indirect light to thrive.
If the plant is not getting enough light, it will stretch out in search of more.
This is why it’s important to make sure your pothos is in a spot that gets enough light.
Other potential causes of leggy pothos could be overwatering, under-fertilizing, or too much direct sunlight.
Overwatering can cause the plant to become stressed and leggy as the roots are unable to get enough oxygen.
Under-fertilizing can also cause legginess as the plant is not getting the nutrients it needs to grow.
Too much direct sunlight can also cause the leaves to scorch and result in a leggy plant.
If your pothos is looking leggy, try adjusting the lighting and watering schedule to help it recover.
Move the plant to a brighter spot and be sure to water when the top inch or so of soil is dry.
If you fertilize, do so sparingly and only during the growing season.
Finally, make sure to avoid direct sunlight, as this can be too harsh for the plant.
With a few adjustments, your pothos should be looking lush and full again in no time.
Identifying the Cause of Your Pothos’ Legginess
When it comes to diagnosing why your pothos is looking leggy, the first step is to identify the cause.
The most common culprit is lack of light; pothos require bright, indirect light to stay healthy and maintain a full, bushy shape.
Without adequate light, the plant will begin to stretch out in search of a light source, resulting in a lanky, sparse appearance.
Other potential causes of leggy pothos could be overwatering, under-fertilizing, or too much direct sunlight.
Inadequate light is usually the most common cause of leggy pothos, but it’s important to consider the other possible causes as well.
If your pothos is located in an area that receives plenty of indirect light, then overwatering or under-fertilizing may be the problem.
If the plant is in a spot with direct sunlight, then too much sunlight could be causing the plant to become leggy.
To properly diagnose the cause of your pothos’ legginess, take some time to examine the plant’s environment and check for any of the above causes.
If you can identify the source of the problem, then you can take steps to remedy it.
Adjusting Your Lighting Setup
When it comes to keeping your pothos healthy, one of the most important things you can do is make sure it is getting enough light.
If your pothos is looking leggy, chances are it is not getting enough light.
Pothos plants usually prefer bright, indirect light, and if they are not receiving enough, their foliage can become stretched and sparse.
To fix this issue, you should consider adjusting your lighting setup.
If you have the option, move your pothos to a brighter area of your home or office.
If you are unable to move it, you can supplement the natural light with a grow light.
Grow lights come in a variety of types, from LED to fluorescent, and can be adjusted to provide the specific light your pothos needs.
When using a grow light, make sure to keep it at least 12 inches away from the foliage of your pothos, as too much direct light can scorch the leaves.
If you find that your pothos is still looking leggy, you can also consider using a timer to ensure your plant is getting enough light each day.
Adjusting Your Watering Schedule
When it comes to keeping your pothos looking lush and healthy, the amount of water you give it is just as important as the amount of light.
Too much water can cause the leaves to become leggy, while too little water can cause them to wilt and droop.
To make sure you’re giving your pothos the right amount of water, it’s important to understand its watering needs.
Pothos plants prefer to have their soil kept consistently moist, but not soggy.
It’s best to water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
When it comes time to water, make sure to give your pothos a good soak until water starts to drip from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
Once the soil is saturated, let all excess water drain out completely before putting the plant back in its pot.
It’s also important to avoid overwatering your pothos, as this can cause root rot, which can lead to leggy, sparse growth.
To avoid this, it’s best to check the soil before watering and only water when the top inch is dry.
You may also want to investigate the drainage capabilities of your pot, as this can affect how often you need to water.
If the pot isn’t draining well, you may need to water your pothos less often.
By adjusting your watering schedule to meet your pothos’ needs, you can help keep it looking lush and healthy.
Keep an eye on the soil, and water when the top inch feels dry.
This will help prevent your pothos from becoming leggy and sparse.
Adding Fertilizer
Fertilizing is an important part of caring for a pothos plant, and it can help to keep it looking lush and full.
If your pothos is looking leggy, it could be a sign that it needs more fertilizer.
When feeding your pothos, its important to use a fertilizer thats specially designed for houseplants to ensure that it gets the right balance of nutrients.
Look for a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Its best to apply fertilizer to the soil every two weeks during the growing season, and then reduce to once a month during the winter months.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the correct dosage.
Additionally, try to avoid using a fertilizer that contains too much nitrogen, as this can cause the plant to become leggy.
Protecting Your Plant from Direct Sunlight
When it comes to caring for pothos plants, one of the most important things to consider is protecting it from direct sunlight.
This is because direct sunlight can cause your pothos to become leggy and sparse.
Direct sunlight can cause sunburns on the leaves, which can make them turn yellow or brown.
It can also cause the leaves to become dry and brittle, leading to leaf drop.
To prevent this, it is best to keep your pothos out of direct sunlight and place it in an area with bright, indirect light instead.
This will help your pothos to maintain its lush, trailing foliage.
Additionally, if you have a pothos in a sunny spot, make sure to provide it with some shade during the hottest parts of the day.
You can do this by placing a sheer curtain in front of the window, or by placing the pot on a tray or saucer filled with pebbles and water.
This will help create a layer of humidity around the plant, which will help protect it from the harsh sunlight.
Finally, if your pothos is in a sunny spot and you don’t have any way to provide it with shade, you can try repotting it into a pot with a lighter colored potting mix.
Lighter colored potting soils will reflect the sun’s rays and help keep your pothos from becoming leggy.
By following these tips, you can help protect your pothos from direct sunlight and help it to maintain its lush, trailing foliage.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to identify the cause of your pothos plant’s legginess before you take any action.
If you can determine a lack of light is the culprit, you can adjust the lighting setup, watering schedule and possibly add fertilizer to help your pothos recover.
If the problem is too much direct sunlight, you can move your pothos to a shadier spot.
With a bit of TLC and the right conditions, you can get your pothos back to its lush, trailing glory in no time.