How to Prune Your Pothos Properly for Healthy Growth

Pruning your Pothos is an essential part of keeping your plant healthy and encouraging lush, vigorous growth. Whether your Pothos is sprawling out of control or just needs a little tidying up, proper pruning techniques will help you maintain its beauty and health. Here are some friendly and easy steps to prune your Pothos properly:

Gather Your Tools: Before you start, make sure to gather a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors, and some gloves if you prefer. Clean tools help prevent the spread of diseases.
Choose the Right Time: The best time to prune your Pothos is during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. This will encourage new growth and allow your plant to bounce back more quickly.
Identify Areas to Prune: Look for any yellowing or dying leaves, leggy growth, or stems that are excessively long. Pothos can tolerate some overgrowth, but if it starts to look unruly, it’s time to prune. Additionally, you might want to cut back any stems that are losing their leaves. This helps the plant redirect energy toward healthier stems.
Make Clean Cuts: Cut back stems just above a leaf node (the small bump on the stem where leaves grow) to encourage new growth. You can usually remove up to one-third of the vine without harming the plant.
Consider Propagation: If you have healthy cuttings, consider propagating them! Place the cuttings in water or a propagation medium like soil, and they can develop into new plants.
Dispose of Trimmings: After pruning, dispose of the trimmings properly. Avoid leaving them in the pot as they can attract pests.
Provide Care After Pruning: After pruning, be sure to give your Pothos some extra care. This includes ensuring it gets proper light, water, and nutrients to encourage vigorous new growth.

By following these steps, you’ll help your Pothos thrive and keep it looking lovely in your home. Remember, regular pruning can also help prevent pests and diseases by maintaining air circulation around the leaves. Happy gardening!