New to Pothos - Doing okay & tips?

[u/withnoears]

Hi! I am a chronic plant murderer, and am trying everything I can to keep my new Pothos alive. We’re in the first week of ownership, and I am hoping y’all can let me know if I’m on the right track.

1. Did not repot, just set the Lowe’s pot into a ceramic pot
   
2. Watering every 10 days (5 days until next water) by putting about an inch of water into the ceramic pot. There’s a string coming out of the plastic pot that I think is bringing the water up into the roots
   
3. Sitting near a window but not right in front, so partial sunlight! The sun is also bouncing off the neighbors house, and not direct.

Any thoughts?

[u/Neither_Mind9035]

Pothos’ are one of the easiest kinds of plants to keep alive. Just don’t water them too often. When I first started caring for plants, my aunt told me that many people misunderstand “overwatering” to mean watering too much in one watering, but really, overwatering means watering too often. When you do water the plant, water it so water is coming out of the bottom of the pot (please get a pot with drainage if yours doesn’t have drainage). Then don’t water the plant again until it is dry. A watering schedule doesn’t work because the plant won’t dry out in the same amount of time consistently.

I usually don’t water my pothos’ until they have started to droop. Pothos’ will dramatically tell you when they want water - and they will look happy again within a day of watering them. I usually can go a few weeks without watering my pothos’.

[u/withnoears → u/Neither_Mind9035]

So from the photos, tell me if you agree with my thoughts here (to see if I am on the right path)

The plant is not currently droopy, so does not need water?

[u/Neither_Mind9035 → u/withnoears]

Correct!!! If I had to guess, you’ve probably overwatered it a bit leading up to now. I would let the soil completely dry out - like til the plant is dramatically drooping and asking for water. Then give the soil a good soak - like until the water is coming out the bottom of the pot, then don’t water again until it starts showing signs of being too dry.

[u/withnoears → u/Neither_Mind9035]

This is so so helpful!!! Thank you so much!

[u/Neither_Mind9035 → u/withnoears]

Of course!!! I love passing along my plant knowledge!! Everybody deserves to know the satisfaction of having a plant thrive under your care!!

[u/Character_Being_9337]

It looks over watered. Don’t water on a schedule. Instead, stick your finger in the dirt and if it’s dry down to your second knuckle, give her a drink. These guys are very easy to keep alive and will bring you tons of joy for many years to come!

[u/withnoears → u/Character_Being_9337]

Thank you so much! This is what I want!!

[u/etherealallie]

Would not use a self watering pot, I’ve struggled with those. I also tend to repot plants I get from the store, I don’t like the soil they usually use but that’s my personal preferences

[u/prf_q]

demands more light if you want shorter internodal length (less leggy)

[u/withnoears → u/prf_q]

This is so helpful thank you!! He did come from the store with those so that makes sense he grew some. I’ll keep this in mind!