If you’ve ever stared at your pothos and thought, “You’re supposed to be easy… so what’s going on?” you’re not alone. Pothos are famously low maintenance houseplants, but even the most forgiving plants will start sending signals when something’s off.
The good news? Most pothos problems, no matter the pothos variety, are very common and very fixable. Below, we’re breaking down the most frequent pothos issues we see, what’s causing them, and how to get your plant back on track without overthinking it.
TL;DR: Quick Pothos Troubleshooting Guide
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Yellow leaves usually mean too much water
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Long, leggy vines point to not enough light
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Brown tips often come from dry air or inconsistent watering
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Slow or stalled growth is almost always light related
If you want the why and the how, keep reading or refer to our quick-reference table below!
Problem #1: Yellow Leaves on Your Pothos
Yellowing leaves are the most common pothos complaint and usually the easiest to fix.
Why it happens
Yellow leaves on pothos are most often caused by overwatering or soil that stays wet for too long. In low light, pothos use water more slowly, which makes excess moisture build up around the roots. Over time, this stresses the plant and shows up as yellowing leaves.
Don't feel bad or think you are the problem, it's probably the light. Light plays a bigger role here than most people realize. In low light, pothos use water more slowly, which makes overwatering much more likely.
How to fix it
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Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering again
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Make sure your pot has drainage holes
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Move your pothos to brighter, indirect light
If your home doesn’t get consistent natural light, your plants probably need a grow light. Read more about what grow lights are and why your plants need them on our blog!
Problem #2: Long, Leggy Vines With Small Leaves
If your pothos is growing, but it looks sparse or stretched out instead of bushy and trailing, this is a classic sign of low light.
Why it happens
When pothos don't get enough light, they stretch toward the nearest light source instead of producing full, compact growth. This causes longer spaces between leaves (the internodes) and smaller leaf size overall. It is the plant’s way of saying it needs more energy to grow properly.
How to fix it
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Move the plant closer to a bright window with indirect light
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Prune vines back to encourage fuller growth
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Add consistent light from above rather than side lighting
This is where a grow light can make a noticeable difference, especially in apartments, offices, or darker rooms. A clean, design-forward option like the Aspect™ Gen 2 Grow Light gives pothos the energy they need to grow fuller leaves without changing the vibe of your space.
Problem #3: Brown or Crispy Leaf Tips
Brown tips are frustrating, but they’re usually about environment, not disease.
Why it happens
Brown leaf tips usually come from environmental stress rather than disease. Dry indoor air, inconsistent watering habits, or mineral buildup from tap water can all contribute. These factors pull moisture away from the leaf edges first, causing them to dry out.
How to fix it
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Water more consistently rather than in extremes
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Occasionally flush the soil with distilled or filtered water
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Increase humidity if your space is especially dry
Consistency is key for happy houseplants, and humidity is an environmental factor that can sometimes be difficult to control. Dry air from heaters running in the winter can wreak havoc on your plants! Two solutions we recommend? A DIY pebble tray or a humidifier for plants (check out our top plant humidifier picks for 2026) can make a huge difference.
Problem #4: My Pothos Isn’t Growing at All
Pothos don’t truly go dormant indoors. If growth has completely stalled, something is missing.
Why it happens
When growth slows or stops entirely, the most common culprit is insufficient light. Without enough energy from light, pothos cannot produce new leaves or vines, even if watering is correct. A lack of nutrients or a rootbound pot can also contribute, but light is usually the missing piece.
How to fix it
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Increase light exposure first
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Feed lightly in spring and summer
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Check if roots are circling the pot
Many pothos that seem “slow” are actually just underlit. Consistent, full-spectrum light can help kick growth back into gear, even in winter months. We've seen many customers grow beautiful, trailing pothos plants with the Vita™ Grow Light!
Problem #5: Curling or Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves are your pothos telling you something changed suddenly.
Why it happens
Drooping or curling leaves often signal a sudden change in conditions. Underwatering, temperature swings, or exposure to drafts from windows or vents can all cause this response. Pothos prefer steady routines and tend to react quickly when something shifts (a bit dramatic of them, we know).
How to fix it
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Check soil moisture before assuming it needs water
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Keep the plant away from HVAC vents
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Stick to a consistent routine
Pothos love stability. Big swings in care or environment tend to show up in the leaves first.
Problem #6: Pale or Faded Leaves
If your pothos has lost its rich green color, it’s usually light related.
Why it happens
Loss of rich green color is typically tied to low light levels. Without enough usable light, pothos struggle to maintain chlorophyll, which leads to faded or washed-out leaves. Mild nutrient deficiencies can play a role, but light is usually the primary factor.
How to fix it
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Move the plant to brighter indirect light
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Feed lightly during active growth
Fertilizer can help (here are 6 DIY plant fertilizer ideas you can try), but light is the real fuel. Without enough light, pothos simply can’t maintain strong color or leaf size.
Pothos Problems, Simplified: A Quick Fix Guide
You dove into the details of common pothos problems, but if you just want a quick answer to refer to, this table breaks down the most common pothos problems at a glance. Use it to identify what’s likely going on with your plant and what you should try first before making bigger changes.
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Problem |
Likely Cause |
What to Try First |
|---|---|---|
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Yellow leaves |
Overwatering or soil staying too wet; low light can exacerbate it |
Let top 1–2 inches of soil dry, check drainage, move to brighter indirect light if possible |
|
Long, leggy vines |
Low light; plant stretching to reach more light |
Move to brighter, indirect light; prune vines to encourage fuller growth |
|
Brown or crispy leaf tips |
Dry indoor air, inconsistent watering, or mineral buildup |
Water consistently, flush soil with filtered water, increase humidity slightly |
|
Slow or stalled growth |
Insufficient light, rootbound pot, or lack of nutrients |
Move to brighter light, check pot size, feed lightly during growing season |
|
Drooping or curling leaves |
Underwatering, temperature swings, drafts from vents or windows |
Check soil moisture, move away from drafts, maintain consistent environment |
|
Pale or faded leaves |
Low light or mild nutrient deficiency |
Move to brighter indirect light, provide light feeding during active growth |
In many homes, especially apartments, light is the missing piece. Consistent, bright indirect light can prevent several of these issues before they start.
Why Light Solves Most Pothos Problems
Watering gets most of the attention, but light is the foundation of pothos care. It affects how quickly your plant grows, how much water it uses, how large the leaves get, and how resilient it is overall.
Many “mystery issues” are really just symptoms of not getting enough consistent, usable light indoors. This is especially true in apartments, north-facing homes, or spaces far from windows.
When a Grow Light Makes Sense for Pothos
A grow light is worth considering if:
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Your pothos lives far from a window
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Your space is naturally dim
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Growth stalls every winter
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You want fuller vines and larger leaves
Modern grow lights are designed to look like real lighting, not lab equipment. Options like the Aspect™ Gen 2 Grow Light or the Vita™ Grow Bulb can blend seamlessly into your home while quietly supporting plant health.
Quick Pothos Care Checklist
Pothos are typically easy houseplants to care for, they just love consistency. Some things pothos plants need:
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Bright, indirect light
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Water when the top soil dries
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Pots with drainage
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Occasional pruning
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A consistent environment
Want to know more about pothos plant care? Check out our ultimate guide to pothos plants.
How to Have a Healthy, Thriving Pothos Houseplant
Pothos aren’t fussy plants. They just want consistency, enough light, and a little patience. If your plant looks off, it’s not failing and neither are you. Most issues are just small adjustments waiting to happen.
And if light is the missing piece, Soltech grow lights can support your plants without rearranging your entire home.
Your pothos will thank you. Probably by growing another vine.
Need more houseplant help? Learn more about pothos plant care, and care for over 150+ houseplants in our Plant Guide!
