Houseplant (trailing vine)
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Arguably the most forgiving houseplant sold, tolerating low light and irregular watering better than almost anything else grown indoors.
| Light | Low to bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Let soil dry out between waterings |
| Spacing | Trailing or climbing — space to allow vine length |
| Zones | Houseplant everywhere; outdoors zones 10-12 |
| Harvest | N/A — foliage plant, propagates easily from cuttings |
| Difficulty | Easy |
The most common mistake is still overwatering
Despite its reputation for toughness, pothos root rot from constantly wet soil is the single most common cause of death. Water only when the top half of the pot has dried.
Propagation is nearly foolproof
A cutting with one node placed in water roots within two to four weeks, which makes pothos an easy way to fill more pots at no cost.
More plant profiles
- TomatoThe most-grown vegetable in home gardens, and the one most improved by consistent water and a cage or stake set at planting time.
- LettuceA fast, forgiving crop that bolts to seed in heat, so timing and shade matter more than soil fertility.
- BasilThe most temperature-sensitive common herb — it sulks below 10°C and needs regular pinching to stay leafy rather than flowering.