Unable to decide what to do when your Pothos is looking leggy? Well, here are the steps on How to Make Leggy Pothos big and bushier again.
More often than we would like to admit, our plants look like they need a bit more TLC. It mainly shows when they look droopy, wilted, or yellowing. This happens even in the most easy-to-care plants, like Pothos. If you see your Pothos getting leggy, you can be sure it could be because of any of three reasons, which will be highlighted later. But in this article, you will know how to make your leggy Pothos big and bushier again.
Why Your Pothos Might Be Leggy
Before you try to save your leggy Pothos, it’s important to understand why it is leggy in the first place. The first reason is if you don’t prune it regularly. When there’s more stem than leaves, Pothos tends to get leggy. Another common cause for leggy Pothos is a lack of bright, indirect light. The third reason would hardly come as a surprise, and that is underwatering your Pothos. Due to lack of water, Pothos can start wilting and turning yellow.
How To Make Leggy Pothos Big and Bushier Again
1) Pruning is Healthy
While this might seem counterintuitive to getting your Pothos big and pushy, pruning is necessary. By pruning, you would cut off larger stems that look limp or wilted, such that the plant focuses its energy on pushing out new foliage. Do not prune off all of the leaves. They are the source of the plant’s energy, of course!
Since Pothos can handle both light and heavy pruning, it can often be confusing which to do. All you have to know is that heavy pruning will rejuvenate your leggy Pothos more, making it bigger and bushier, right from the base, for the long term. Pruning might seem a little scary, but it not only improves the appearance of your plant but also leads to the growth of newer shoots from all old stems.
2) Add in New Growth with Cuttings
While pruning, you can cut off several inches of the runners. Pruning encourages new growth along the stems. When the cuttings develop roots of about 2 or 3 inches, you can plant them back into the same pot as your pothos to instantly make them look bushier. The best part is that Pothos can be easily propagated in soil and water. Of course, another option, too, is putting entirely new plants into the same medium.
Pro Tip: Take multiple cuttings with 2-5 leaves at once and root them simultaneously. Ensure that your cuttings are trimmed in a way so that the base has a node (brownish nubs or bumps present on Pothos stems from which new roots emerge)
3) Fertilize Frequently in the Active Growing Season
For fuller, bushier growth in your currently leggy Pothos, you must be mindful of feeding your plant. Invest in a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and dilute it to half-strength when feeding every two months during the active growing season. Remember, this step only comes after you have followed everything else and your Pothos is in good health. Overfertilizing Pothos can stress the plant, even resulting in its death.
If you are unsure about the growing season of your Pothos, just watch for rapid new growth and fertilize as usual.
4) Provide Adequate Bright, Indirect Light
Though it is quite a no-brainer to provide your Pothos with adequate bright, indirect light, it is often overlooked. that leaves your Pothos looking leggy. Shift your leggy Pothos near a south-facing window. You will slowly start noticing healthier and fuller growth on your Pothos, thanks to increased energy from the sunlight.
Moreover, providing more or better sunlight will also reduce the risk of overwatering your Pothos, as the plant will use up all of the water you would give it.
5) Keep Temperatures Somewhat Warm
Native to Southeast Asia, pothos is a tropical plant that loves warm and humid conditions. You may have a leggy pothos if the temperature or humidity conditions are somewhat off. For best growth, ensure a temperature range between 70-85°F (21-29°C) for your Pothos to thrive well. While it can handle a few drafts and less-than-adequate humidity, unlike most other houseplants, it maintains an optimal range for fuller, bushier growth of your Pothos.
In addition to all of the methods, you could try supplying your Pothos with a moist moss pole, which helps encourage a fuller appearance and larger leaves.
