Can Pothos Be in Direct Sunlight? How Much Sun Can They Handle?

Pothos plants are one of the most popular houseplants around. Their trailing vines and easy care make them ideal for beginners and plant parents everywhere But can these tropical vines handle direct sunlight? Or will too much sun scorch those gorgeous leaves?

In this article, we’ll examine how much sun pothos can tolerate and how to best place them in your home for optimal sunlight. Read on to learn everything you need to know about sunlight and pothos plants

With their heart-shaped leaves and vine-like growth, pothos are easily one of the most recognized houseplants. The long trailing stems snake along the floors and bookshelves of homes and offices around the world.

Pothos belong to the larger plant family Araceae and the genus Epipremnum, They are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, Their lush leaves would wind their way up tree trunks and ramble along the rainforest floor in dappled sunlight

There are over 30 different pothos cultivars to collect. The most popular is the golden pothos, known for its green and gold variegated leaves. Other varieties like marble queen have white splotches, while neon pothos has luminous lime green foliage.

Do Pothos Plants Like Direct Sunlight?

Pothos prefer bright, indirect light instead of direct sun. In their native jungle habitat, these tropical vines grew happily in shady, diffuse light under the rainforest canopy. Too much harsh light can actually damage their leaves.

You’ll often find pothos planted in offices and bathrooms with minimal natural light. They can survive in low light conditions that would kill off other houseplants. But don’t be fooled – pothos still need a moderate amount of sunlight to thrive.

Too much direct sun will burn or bleach the leaves. Meanwhile, too little sun results in weak, leggy growth. The sweet spot is near an east or west-facing window where they get plenty of gentle, indirect light.

Signs Your Pothos Is Getting Too Much Sun

It’s easy to tell if your pothos is getting too much light. Watch for these symptoms:

• Sunburnt leaves – Brown or yellow sunburnt patches caused by harsh direct light.

• Faded variegation – The lighter portions of leaves appear washed out.

• Crispy foliage – Leaves turn brown, dry and crispy around the edges.

• Wilting – Leaves droop and entire plant looks limp.

• Slow growth – Direct sun can stunt growth.

Pothos prefer bright but gentle, filtered light. If you start to see these issues, move your plant back from the window to a spot with indirect sunlight. The foliage should recover within a few weeks.

Where to Place Pothos to Avoid Too Much Sun

Here are the best spots to position your pothos:

• 5-10 feet from a south window – Southern exposure gets intense direct light. Place pothos a few feet back to avoid burning.

• West or east facing window – Morning or afternoon sun is gentler. Pothos can be slightly closer to the window.

• Behind a sheer curtain – Sheer curtains diffuse the harshest sunlight streaming in.

• Under larger houseplants – Use taller houseplants to filter light for pothos underneath.

• Not on the windowsill – Keep pothos back on a bookcase or side table to prevent direct sun exposure.

Dappled sunlight that filters through curtains, trees or other plants is ideal. Rotate pothos away from windows in summertime when light is most intense.

Signs Your Pothos Needs More Sunlight

While too much light can scorch pothos, inadequate sunlight causes issues too. Here are signs your plant needs a sunnier spot:

• Slow growth – Low light keeps the plant from growing quickly.

• Leggy vines – Stems elongate and leaves are far apart when reaching for light.

• Small leaves – Inadequate sunlight results in smaller, sparser foliage.

• Pale color – Leaves turn lighter green or yellowish instead of deep green.

• Loss of variegation – Golden and white areas fade or disappear.

• Flopping – Weak stems make the vines droop limply.

Getting the right amount of sunlight takes some trial and error. But pothos are forgiving plants. Move them around until you find the sweet spot in your home.

Where to Place Pothos for More Sunlight

Maximize the amount of gentle sunlight your pothos receives using these tips:

• Place near an east-facing window – Morning sun is less intense.

• Move closer to a west-facing window – Afternoon sun is gentler than southern exposure.

• Provide a few hours of direct morning sun – A little bit of early sun is beneficial.

• Rotate plant weekly – Rotate so all sides get evenly exposed to light.

• Add supplemental lighting – Try an adjustable gooseneck LED lamp nearby.

• Prune leggy stems – Cut long, sparse stems back to encourage bushy regrowth.

• Use sheer curtains – Filters the harshness but still lets light through.

Caring for Pothos in Bright Light

Pothos flourish beautifully in bright, indirect sunlight. But extra light means paying extra attention to their care. Here are some tips:

• Water more frequently – Brighter light leads to faster growth and water consumption.

• Mist leaves often – Helps humidity-loving pothos avoid brown leaf edges.

• Use lighter pots – Dark pots absorb heat and can cook roots in sunny spots.

• Rotate plants – Promotes even growth by sharing sun exposure.

• Wipe dust off leaves – Dust blocks light from reaching leaf surfaces.

• Use sheer curtains – Filter intense southern or western sun streaming in.

With the proper care, pothos will reward you with long cascading vines and luminous foliage when given medium to bright indirect light.

Common Questions about Pothos and Sunlight

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about pothos and sunlight:

Can pothos be in direct sunlight?

Pothos will tolerate an hour or two of gentle morning sun. But direct sunlight should be limited. Prolonged exposure can burn leaves. Bright, indirect light is best.

How much sunlight do pothos need per day?

Aim for around 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day. East or west-facing windows are ideal for pothos light needs.

Where should I put my pothos?

The best spot is 3-5 feet away from an east or west window. South-facing windows are too intense – keep pothos 5+ feet back. North windows may be too dim without supplemental lighting.

Can pothos survive without sunlight?

Pothos can survive in dark rooms for months. But lack of light causes leggy, weak growth. Some sunlight is needed for the plant to truly thrive with lush foliage.

Enjoy the Versatile and Vibrant Pothos

With their tropical jungle vibe and cascading vines, pothos make a vibrant addition to any indoor garden. As long as you give them a moderate level of gentle, indirect light, they will reward you with vigorous growth. Pothos can adapt to a range of light conditions, but they positively thrive with bright, filtered sunlight.