6 Simple Steps to Repot Your Pothos Plant for Healthier, Fuller Growth

When to Repot Pothos

Compared to many houseplants, pothos grow quickly and can soon outgrow their containers and become root-bound. To avoid this, repot new pothos plants soon after bringing them home. After that, repot them about once every 1 to 2 years.

If possible, repot pothos when they are actively growing in spring or summer. Only repot during winter if the plant is suffering from root rot or another serious problem.

Here are some signs that your pothos needs a larger container:

Visible or encircling roots: One of the clearest signs is when roots emerge from the drainage holes. Roots may also circle around the inside of the pot.
Slowed growth: Root-bound plants may grow more slowly, although poor lighting, watering problems, and other stresses can also cause slow growth.
Yellowing leaves: An undersized pot can stress the plant and make it harder for pothos to absorb water and nutrients, which may cause yellow leaves and leaf drop.
Poorly draining potting mix: Old potting mix can break down and become dense. Visible white salt buildup or soil that drains either too quickly or too slowly can indicate that the potting mix needs refreshing.

How to Repot Pothos

Many store-bought pothos plants consist of several rooted vines growing together in one container. During repotting, these sections may separate. You can either plant all the rooted sections together in a new pot for a fuller plant or separate them into individual containers.

1. Remove the Old Pot

Water your pothos thoroughly the day before repotting to loosen the soil. When you're ready to repot, turn the pot on its side, grasp the stems close to the soil, and gently pull the plant free.

If the pot is difficult to remove, run a butter knife carefully around the inside edge of the pot to loosen the soil.

2. Handle Roots with Care

Once the plant is out of the container, gently loosen any roots that are circling the root ball with your fingers. Remove some of the old potting mix.

If the pothos consists of several rooted sections, they may separate during this process. Gather the sections and keep them together so they can be replanted.

3. Clip Away Damaged Bits

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to remove yellow or damaged leaves and any rotted or damaged roots.

4. Choose the Right Pot and Soil

Choose a plastic or terracotta pot that is about 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the previous container. Make sure the new pot has drainage holes.

Terracotta pots dry out faster than plastic pots, making them a useful choice if you tend to overwater.

Pothos can grow well in standard houseplant potting mix. For improved drainage, you can mix in some perlite or orchid bark to reduce the risk of overwatering.

5. Repot Your Plant

Add several inches of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new container. Hold the plant securely and position it at the same depth at which it was previously growing.

Fill around the roots with fresh potting soil until the roots are covered and the stems are properly supported.

If rooted vine sections have separated, make a small hole in the potting mix and plant each section individually. Any non-rooted vine pieces that break off can be propagated in water or soil.

6. Add Water

After repotting, water the pothos thoroughly until water flows freely through the drainage holes. Return the plant to its original growing location.

Avoid fertilizing immediately after repotting. The roots need time to settle, and some potting mixes already contain fertilizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pothos like to be root-bound?

Pothos are adaptable and can tolerate being slightly root-bound for some time, but they generally grow better when their roots have some additional space.