If you have a pothos plant, then you know already that they are pretty darn prolific. Maybe even too prolific.
You turn your back and suddenly, there are vines draping down to the floor and crawling across your bookshelves…
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In order to keep your plant healthy and help it to look as nice as possible, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. That’s what we’ll be discussing in this guide.
Pothos is one of the most popular houseplants around, and for good reason. With its trailing vines and easy care, pothos adapts well to almost any indoor environment. But without occasional pruning these fast-growing plants can become leggy and unattractive. By learning how to properly prune your pothos, you can keep it looking lush, full and healthy.
When to Prune Pothos
Pothos can be pruned any time of year but the best time is during the active growing season in spring and summer. Pruning in fall or winter means slower regrowth. Still you can snip away yellow or damaged leaves whenever needed.
If moving a pothos plant outdoors for summer, prune it first to encourage vigorous growth outside. Pruning is also smart before bringing plants in for winter, to remove excess growth that may not thrive indoors.
How to Prune Pothos Stems
Pruning pothos is simple with the right tools and techniques
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Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to avoid damaging stems.
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Cut just below a node, where leaves emerge from stems. New growth will sprout from nodes.
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Prune as much or as little as needed, leaving at least 2 nodes per stem. Removing no more than 30% of a vine at once is best.
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Stagger cuts between vines for a natural look as the plant refills.
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Step back occasionally to check for desired shape. Re-prune if necessary.
Pruning for a Fuller Pothos
Strategic pruning makes pothos plants fuller by:
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Removing long, bare stems to encourage bushy regrowth near the base
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Cutting leggy vines back to a node so two new stems sprout there
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Letting some vines trail while pruning others
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Propagating cuttings to add more vines
Even young plants can be pinched back at tender tips to promote branching for a fuller plant later on.
Pruning for Health
Regular pruning keeps pothos vigorous by:
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Controlling size so it doesn’t outgrow your space
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Improving air circulation and light exposure
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Getting rid of dead or damaged foliage
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Rejuvenating old plants through repotting trimmed vines
How Often to Prune
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For houseplants, prune pothos every 1-2 years. Remove damaged growth anytime.
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Fast-growing plants may need light pruning 3-4 times a year to maintain size and shape.
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Prune annually or before moving plants outdoors or indoors.
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Prune aggressive growers like Manjula pothos more often, up to monthly.
Pruning Propagation
Trimmed pothos stems root readily in water or soil. Propagating pruned cuttings yields more fullness when planted among the original vines. To propagate:
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Cut below a node with 1-2 leaves.
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Remove the cut end and place in water or soil until roots form.
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Plant in pot with parent plant or separate container.
Pruning Tips
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Use a node with aerial roots for best results propagating in water.
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Consider sterilizing pruners between plants to prevent transmitting disease.
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Wear gloves since pothos can irritate skin.
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Prune 1/3 or less off each vine at once for plant health.
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Remove leaves by cutting at the base of the petiole where it meets the stem.
FAQ
Where do I cut pothos for propagation?
Below a node with 1-2 leaves attached. Remove the cut end and root in water or soil.
How do I fix a leggy pothos?
Prune back bare, leggy stems to the first node with leaves to encourage fuller regrowth near the base.
When should I repot a pruned pothos?
Repot in spring after pruning or whenever the plant becomes rootbound. Use a pot 2-4 inches wider than the current container.
Can I prune pothos in winter?
It’s best to avoid heavy pruning in winter but you can remove damaged leaves and stems anytime. Light pruning in winter means slower regrowth.
How far can I cut back pothos?
Trim stems back as far as 2 inches from the soil line. Just be sure at least 2 nodes remain on each vine for regrowth.
The Takeaway
Pruning pothos regularly maximizes these plants’ potential for lush, cascading beauty indoors. Just arm yourself with clean pruners and lop off unattractive growth just below leaf nodes. With simple, strategic snipping, you can maintain the perfect pothos for every space.
When Should I Prune?
Some plants need a lot of pruning, but not your old pal pothos (Epipremnum aureum).
That doesn’t mean they never need pruning, but it’s more of an occasional chore rather than something you need to keep up with regularly.
Now, that said, pothos plants are overachievers. These puppies will grow and grow and grow.
So if you have one that is sending out vines that are looking more like they would be perfect for Tarzan to swing from than the pretty little tendrils we all know and love, it’s time to do the ol’ snip-snip.
It doesn’t really matter what time of year you do this chore, though pinching back your pothos to encourage bushier growth should not be done during the winter.
This is not because it will harm the plant, but because it probably won’t form new growth until the spring, and you’ll be stuck with an ugly, bare stump until the growing season returns.
How to Trim a Pothos Plant
Before we get started, we need to clarify a few terms first, just to make sure we’re all on the same page.
When we talk about nodes, this refers to the spot where the stem and the leaf meet, or where an aerial root may emerge. The aerial root nodes look like small, brown bumps.
Typically, you want to prune close to one of these nodes because this is where new growth will emerge as well.
The part of the stem in between nodes is known as the internode. And the petiole is the part where the leaf is attached to the stem.
Can’t wait one minute longer or you’ll be buried in a jungle? Then here we go. Get your pruners ready, and let’s start trimming!