How Fast Does Pothos Grow?

Pothos plants have become increasingly popular as decorative indoor plants, and it’s not hard to see why! They are easy to maintain and have a uniquely striking appearance that is sure to add interest to any interior. 

These popular houseplants also have a reputation for being speedy growers. If you want to learn more about the pothos plant, including how to encourage your pothos vines to grow even quicker, take a look at the info-packed guide below. 

An Overview Of Pothos 

Before we get into the plant’s growth rate, and how to provide the optimal conditions for fast growth, it is necessary that we first understand what the pothos plant is. 

Taxonomy

Pothos is a genus in the family Araceae, which includes about 400 species of herbaceous plants with small leaves and flowers that are usually arranged in spikes or racemes.

The genus name comes from the Greek word ποθός (póthos), meaning “bud”, referring to the shape of the inflorescence. 

Characteristics

The pothos plant is a trailing plant with gorgeous, heart-shaped green leaves with a waxy coating. The most common variety of pothos, the Golden Pothos, has deep green leaves decorated with splashes of gold.

However, there is a huge variety of pothos varieties, each boasting its own particularly unique and striking appearance. 

In addition to their obvious ornamental value, the pothos plant is also known for its symbolic value. The pothos plant represents perseverance.

As such, a pothos plant makes the perfect gift for someone who needs a boost to continue chasing their dreams. Make sure they position them in a high-hanging pot to symbolize reaching new heights. 

How Fast Do Pothos Grow?

If you’re hoping to fill your house with a pothos plant, you’re in luck! Pothos plants are fast-growing plants that grow well indoors. In fact, they also require very little care and maintenance and will grow quickly even in sub-optimal conditions. 

Within the average conditions in most homes, they grow up to 30 centimeters per month or 120cm in a year. They grow fast because of their large green areas. However, if you were to provide an optimal environment for your pothos, it would grow even faster! 

It is worth noting that some varieties of pathos will grow quicker than others. Generally speaking, the more variegated plants have slower growth rates.

This is because the green parts of the plant are responsible for growth. The white parts of the leaves do not photosynthesize. 

How Long Does It Take A Pothos Plant To Reach Full Size?

A pothos plant can reach full size within one year. But, depending on the variety and environmental factors, it may take longer. Generally, a pothos grows at a steady pace throughout the first few months.

After this time, it begins to slow down as it approaches maturity. Once it reaches maturity, it will begin to flower and produce seed. 

The length of time it takes a pothos plant to reach full size varies based on the variety. Some varieties have been known to bloom after only six months while other varieties will bloom after two years. It’s important to note that these times are averages. 

There are many different varieties of pothos plants available today. Each variety will have its own specific growing characteristics. 

How To Make Your Pothos Grow Faster

When given the perfect conditions and proper care, the Pothos plant will thrive! It will grow even quicker, look even greener, and will make for an even more striking decorative talking point in your household.

Check out the care tips and tricks below to ensure you’re giving your Pothos plant everything it needs! 

Use A High-Quality Potting Mix

Pothos plants need a good quality potting mix to flourish. If you use poor quality soil, your pothos plant won’t get enough nutrients and will struggle to grow properly.

You should opt for a potting mix that is well-draining that balances water-holding capacity and sufficient drainage. 

If the soil mixture is too compact, there won’t be enough air-pockets to allow appropriate drainage, and the plant’s roots will suffer. Soil and soil-free mixtures containing peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite, are ideal. 

These ingredients work together to create a porous medium that allows water to drain away from the roots and allow air to circulate around the pothos plant. 

Provide Appropriate Light Conditions 

Pothos plants like plenty of sunlight. They prefer bright but indirect light. When selecting your pothos plant, try to find a spot near a window where you can provide adequate lighting. Too much harsh, direct sunlight will cause damage to your Pothos plant’s leaves. 

Technically, your Pothos would survive just fine in consistent low light. However, it wouldn’t grow particularly quickly and it definitely wouldn’t thrive. For the best results, put your pothos next to a window that receives a nice amount of gentle morning sun.  

Provide The Optimal Temperature Range

For the pothos plant, the temperature isn’t a huge deal. It can survive in a range of temperatures, just as it can survive in a range of different light exposures. However, if you want your plant to thrive, you should keep your Pothos plant in a warm environment. 

In fact, they prefer warmer temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. As such, if you keep your pothos plant outdoors, depending on the conditions in your area, you may want to bring it inside during the cooler months. We keep our pothos in the warmest room in the house all year round. 

Water Appropriately

The key to keeping your pothos plant healthy is to give it the right amount of water.  Pothos plants tend to need more water than your other houseplants to get the proper nutrition they require to grow and thrive. 

In the growing season, the pothos plant likes about 1 inch of water each week or two. This means you’ll need to check the soil every few days to see how wet it is. 

You shouldn’t let the soil dry out completely with this plant. Instead, you should allow the soil to dry out somewhat, but ensure that it always feels a little bit moist.

That way, you’ll have a balanced supply of water without overloading the plant with excess moisture. You have to be careful not to overwater pothos, as it could lead to root rot. 

Prune Damaged And Old Leaves 

If you notice any dead or damaged leaves you should carefully cut them off. To do this, make sure you use a super sharp, sterile knife or pair of scissors. Doing this will not just make your pothos plant look healthier, but it will also encourage a healthy growth habit. 

Fertilize 

If you repot your pothos plant every year, using a quality potting mixture, you won’t necessarily need fertilizer at all. However, in this case, using a liquid fertilizer can encourage rapid growth, if it is applied in the spring and summer. 

Otherwise, we recommend fertilizing your pothos plant with a well-balanced, slow-release, water-soluble fertilizer solution made for houseplants.

You should use this solution once in the springtime and once in the summertime. It is important that you never fertilize during the winter months. 

Wrapping Up

Pothos plants are a great addition to every home. Unlike with other houseplants, with the pothos plant, you really get to see the result of your hard work in caring for it!

As such, taking care of a pothos plant properly is a particularly rewarding experience. Just remember these tips and tricks to help your pothos plant flourish!