Question
I am trying to grow 5 of these plants indoors in 8 - 10" clay pot containers.  Why do the leaves turn yellow, look droopy?  It is happening to all of the plants.  They were all purchased within the last month or so and immediately repotted.  4 of the plants are on ledge in bathroom with bright light, but no direct sunlight.  The window there is  made of glass block.  The other plant is on a kitchen counter which also gives indirect, no direct, light.

Answer
Hi Diana,

When Pothos droop it is because they are not getting enough water. But before you douse them with water, it is important to understand some other things.

Of course, soil that is allowed to get completely dried out around the roots will lead to wilting. However, if the soil is kept too moist and the roots rot, then the plant no longer has the capacity to absorb water through its roots for the rest of the plant. The result is the same - wilting. So wilting can mean either under or over watering.

Now I don't know if you have allowed the soil to get too dry or if you have kept the soil too moist. Usually, if the soil has gotten too dry, most of the leaves will perk up noticeably after watering. If the roots have rotted, then watering will not make any difference.

In my experience, repotting new plants very frequently leads to root rot. Why? Because most folks repot into larger pots that hold more soil and more water for too long. In addition, repotting is not a simple process and much can go wrong that will damage the roots. I have written an article that explains all of this that I will send to anyone who forwards a request to my address below.

If you have been keeping your Pothos too dry, then simply water more frequently - before they start to wilt. If they are wilting because of root damage, there is not much you can do except to take cuttings from the healthy stems and start over.

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

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]