Question
Hi, I just rescued this plant from being thrown out after a divorce. They had purchased it about a month, maybe two before I took possession of it. They kept it in a kitchen window right above the sink. There were about 4 or so yellow leaves which I picked off, I have had it about 6 weeks, and I water it roughly once a week, I water all sides, until water runs out the holes in the bottom of the 6 inch pot. Every time I water it I must pick off more yellow leaves, and one or two dead and brown Yyones. I just fertilized out with some sticks, the miracle gro 6-12-6 spikes, as directed for a 6 inch pot. The yellowing didn't get better OR worse. I keep it in a hanging basket in my living room window, which has a sheer black curtain. The yellow leaves are always near the soil, never down low on the two foot vines. Oh, yeah... The leaves are variegated.  My question is why is this happening? Is out normal our am I doing something wrong? I am a beginner when it comes to plants. Email me if more info is necessary. Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Patricia,

Thank you for the helpful detailed information.

When a Pothos is under stress for any reason, it reacts by losing its older leaves, the ones closest to the soil. I suspect the primary reason for the leaf loss on your Pothos is the sheer black curtain. Sheers of any kind reduce light intensity by so much that even low light plants, such as Pothos, struggle to survive. So you will need to either open up the sheers or move the plant to another window that is uncovered during the day.

Another possible contributor to the yellow leaves is your watering routine. It is important to water your Pothos as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry. That may or may not be more than once per week. Water thoroughly, as you described.

Lack of light or water will not be solved by fertilizer. Fertilizer sticks tend to concentrate the fertilizer in the root area closest to the sticks and that can cause the roots to burn. Use a fertilizer that dissolves in water at half strength and apply it no more than once per month.

Pothos need to be pruned back regularly. If the vines become too long, they start to lose the lower leaves closest to the pot even if the plant receives proper light and water. Individual vines can be cut off at any point on the vine. New growth will emerge on a cut vine just above where you make the pruning cut. In general, it is best to prune off more than you would be inclined. In fact, you can prune back vines to a length of 2-4 inches without harming the plant. The cuttings can be rooted in water or damp potting mix.

I have written a comprehensive article on Pothos care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com