If you don’t want to turn your home into your own ‘little shop of horrors’, then you must repot your Pothos regularly.
You really should read on to find out how to avoid being taken over by this lovely plant.
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When to Repot Pothos
There are three basic times to repot pothos: when the plant needs more space to grow; when it may be diseased; or when its pot needs to be changed for aesthetic reasons. The best time for repotting is during summer and spring.
Repot the Pothos in the Warmer Months
Most plants begin new or more vigorous growth in spring and summer. These are the ideal seasons to repot your Pothos plant.
If you repot during these times, you’ll give the roots ample time to re-establish themselves and new growth will be stimulated.
In more temperate climates, you could even plant in late summer or early fall.
Repotting Pothos to Allow for Growth
You may think that it’s possible to keep houseplants contained in one pot for a long time, by cutting them back and controlling the ‘above ground’ section.
Pothos plants are quick-growing and can grow 12-18 inches (30-40 cm) in a month. Don’t forget, though, that growth is also happening under the soil.
Consider the Roots
Just like the tendrils and leaves of the pothos, roots also grow at a particular rate. This may not always be as fast as the rest of the plant, but, unlike the ‘above ground’ section that has almost limitless space to grow into, the roots are confined by the pot.
Ideally, a pothos plant should have at least 2 inches (5cm) between the roots and the edge of the pot.
To maintain this and to allow the roots of your plant to grow and expand, you should repot your pothos at least once a year.
The biggest problem with not repotting the pothos regularly is that the roots will eventually become a tangled mass and effectively take up most of the space in the pot.
The plant’s growth will eventually be stunted and the plant may die.
An additional problem is that pothos plants prefer well-drained soil.
If a plant stays in a pot that confines the roots, the soil can become hardened by the pressure and the water will not be retained, rather than draining properly.
If the soil is very hard to the touch and no longer fits easily around the edge of the pot, it is most likely that the roots are potbound and you will need to repot the plant quite urgently.
Repotting also allows you to mix compost and even fertilizer into the soil. The plant will be healthier and its growth will be enhanced with a fresher and more appropriate soil mixture.
Consider the leaves
You should also look out for the growth of the tendrils of the plant. If they begin to grow so long that they effectively begin taking over the space they are in, the plant should be repotted.
An alternative may be to move the whole plant, but repotting may be the best thing to do.
Repotting your Pothos for Health Reasons
If the soil around the pothos roots becomes compacted, it can’t drain properly. Pothos prefers well-drained soil, so this means that the roots will become over-moist.
This can lead to root rot. The best way to treat this is to get your plant out of the compacted soil and into a fresh pot with healthier, looser, well-drained soil.
If the pothos is infested with something like mealybugs, it is not necessarily the best time to repot it. Repotting will only worsen the problem and the newly potted plant will still be under threat.
Rather get rid of the bugs, by washing the plant with insecticidal soap, or treating the actual bugs with alcohol. Wait until the plant is healthy before you repot it.
If our plant has variegated leaves, which begin to lose the patterns, they may not be getting enough light.
You could move the whole plant, but it may be better to take this opportunity to repot it so that it has more room for the roots to expand into.
If the pothos plant is dying, then you could rescue part of it by taking a cutting, which is kept in water until roots start growing.
This can then be repotted and the old plant will be rescued.
Repotting for Aesthetic Reasons
It is often important that the décor in your home matches and that the style is consistent. This will include the plant pots. This is another time at which you may want to repot the pothos.
If you know that your décor or color scheme will remain fairly consistent for years, then repotting the plant into a specific ceramic or similar pot will be acceptable.
In these cases, it is advisable to use a pot that will allow for a lot of room for growth – particularly of the roots.
If you are planning to change your color scheme soon, or even relatively regularly, a more practical, adaptable, and advisable approach is to repot the plant into a run-of-the-mill pot, that can be replaced fairly easily as the plant grows and needs to be repotted.
This can be placed in a more aesthetic pot that will match the décor when you change it.
Frequently Asked Questions about When to Repot Pothos
What will happen if I do not repot my pothos plant?
Pothos plants are fast-growing, so they need to be repotted quite regularly. If you don’t do this, the roots won’t have anywhere to expand and will become pot-bound. This will definitely stunt the growth of the plant and will most likely eventually kill it.
When is the best time of year to repot my pothos?
Pothos plants prefer warmer weather when they grow most vigorously. This means that the best time to repot your pothos is in summer or springtime.
Conclusion
One of the most attractive features in a home can be the indoor plants, particularly a hardy and adaptable pothos.
Because these plants add to your home, you must look after them by making sure their roots have space to extend. This means repotting them at least once a year.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.