As anyone who has grown and taken care of plants before knows, quite a bit goes into growing and caring for a plant properly.
One critical aspect is the amount of sunlight that a particular plant needs, which can vary quite a bit from plant to plant.
Some plants prefer a lot of sunlight, whereas others prefer to remain in the shade most of the time.
The Pothos plant is no different, and I advise that you pay close attention to how much sunlight it is getting. Here is what I can tell you about the pothos plant and its ideal amount of sunlight.
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How much light do Pothos need?
Pothos plant should not receive direct sunlight because that can burn its leaves. It is possible to grow pothos in several different lighting conditions. However, between 10 and 12 hours of indirect sunlight daily is ideal for the pothos plant. Without enough light, the pothos plant grows slower than it would otherwise.
Pothos light needs
The ideal light for pothos is bright indirect sunlight. They can survive in low-light conditions. But they will not thrive and grow leggy.
The main reason why the pothos plant, like all other plants, requires adequate sunlight is that sunlight is an important part of the photosynthesis process that plants use to create food for themselves.
Of course, the pothos plant uses this same process.
The pothos plant needs to get sufficient sunlight so that it has the energy to grow properly. It may become skinny and try to extend toward the source of the sunlight if it does not receive enough sunlight.
Adequate sunlight is vital for the pothos plant’s health and growth.
Pothos light requirements
The pothos plant is tropical so it can handle several lighting conditions. However, it does best when it is in indirect sunlight. Indirect sunlight is between 10,000-21,500 lux or 1,000 – 2,000 fc (foot candles).
Indirect yet bright sunlight is the ideal kind of light for the pothos plant. I should add that you will see the pothos plant grow more slowly, and it might not grow as much as it can without enough sunlight.
Despite this, excessive sunlight, as well as direct sunlight, can burn the plant’s leaves. This also stunts its growth.
Does the Season Affect the Pothos Plant’s Lighting Requirements: The Answer
One fact about plants that is common knowledge to most people who have worked with plants is that they tend to grow and flourish during the summer and spring.
However, on a related note, plants also tend to become dormant during the winter and colder months.
This is because plants receive less sunlight during the winter. The pothos plant adjusts to this and remains dormant, simply storing sufficient energy to survive.
As a result, the pothos plant does not need as much sunlight during the winter or colder months. After all, it is dormant during these months, so it doesn’t require as much energy.
By contrast, during the summer and spring or warmer months, the pothos plant should receive anywhere from 10 to 12 hours of indirect sunlight to grow properly, as previously mentioned.
The pothos plant is actively growing during these months, so it requires more sunlight to generate the energy it needs for such growth.
I recommend that you do not worry if you see that your pothos plant is not growing during the winter months or colder months in general. This is perfectly natural and expected behavior from the pothos plant.
What Direct Sunlight is
I’ve already mentioned that the pothos plant prefers indirect sunlight, but it is important to define these terms so your pothos plant gets the exact kind of sunlight it likes.
If the place you put your pothos plant gets direct sunlight that is not impeded or filtered, that’s direct sunlight.
One common example is putting your pothos plant in front of a window with no curtain on it.
That’s direct sunlight because the sunlight comes in straight from the window and is not filtered.
What Indirect Sunlight is
Now that I’ve gone over direct sunlight, I should go over indirect sunlight. It is pretty straightforward in that indirect sunlight means it is filtered or impeded by something.
In other words, the sunlight does not directly reach the pothos plant without any interference whatsoever.
One example is if I put my pothos plant a few feet away from my window and the window is covered by a curtain.
That would be in direct sunlight since it is filtered through the curtain.
The Ideal Location for the Pothos Plant
It is also important to place your pothos plant in the ideal location. I recommend placing your pothos plant near the center of your home because the pothos plant can get a moderate amount of indirect sunlight there.
A location between three and five feet from a window in your home is ideal. I advise putting the pothos plant in such a location because the pothos plant can enjoy perfect lighting conditions there.
What happens when a Pothos gets too much sun
When a Pothos receives more than 4 hours of direct sunlight daily, its foliage can burn and scorch. Pothos plants cannot recover from sunburns, and the damage on the leaves in the form of brown and wilted spots remains. Another symptom of too much sunlight is pale, bleached, and faded leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my room has no windows?
It will prove quite challenging if you are trying to grow a pothos plant in a room with no windows. Hopefully, the room does get some amount of natural light. If so, I advise adding to this natural light with some indoor grow light, which is more affordable than you might think.
Are pothos plants difficult to grow in general?
A pothos plant is generally fairly easy to grow. It is a good plant for beginner growers for this exact reason.
Do pothos like direct sunlight?
Pothos likes no more than 3-4 hours of direct sunlight in the morning. This is when you place it in an eastern-facing window. Direct sunlight for extended periods burns the leaves of a pothos plant.
Conclusion
Pothos plants can live in several different lighting conditions. However, the ideal lighting conditions for a pothos plant are moderate and indirect sunlight.
The pothos plant’s leaves can become damaged by direct light, so I advise against putting the pothos plant in direct sunlight.
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.