Wait, don’t panic yet! It’s normal for Pothos to drop a leaf here and there, but a sudden rain of leaves brings trouble. Until the cause is addressed, Pothos will suffer from poor growth and be vulnerable to disease and pests. And in the worst case, intense stress can even lead to death.
To take action! First assess the environment. Does Pothos get enough sun and sips of water? Is the soil too wet or are the roots clogged?
These could be the culprits of leaf drop. Too much cold or sun can also stress Pothos. It’s time to save the day!
Contents
1- Cold temperatures: a threat to your Pothos leaves
Pothos is a tropical plant that can tolerate cold temperatures down to 41°F; below, the leaves turn yellow and fall off.Pothos is a badass, but even he has his limits! This tropical plant can catch a cold, but only up to 41°F. Underneath, it starts shaking and drops its leaves.
To keep Pothos lush and green, aim for a roasting temperature of 50°F or higher, with a good point around 59°F.
Remember that this is a rainforest native species and likes warm, humid, well-ventilated air. So keep it comfortable and it will reward you with its beauty!
What to do if the leaves of Pothos fall off due to the cold?
- Wait a few days for the soil to dry out, then water your plant during the hottest part of the day.
- Keep your Pothos at least 3 to 6 feet away from windows at night and in the morning to protect you from the cold.
- During this time, fertilization is optional.
- Make sure your Pothos has good air circulation by using a fan in an enclosed space.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast and move your plant to a warmer location with less water if temperatures drop below 60°F.
Try to keep your Pothos at temperatures no lower than 46°F and ideally around 50°F. Be careful with watering: the plant grows slower in the cold, so keep it to a minimum.
Overwatering can damage the roots, so use a water meter and only water when the soil is dry. Avoid the mistake of overwatering or neglecting it.
2- Pothos leaf fall: root clogging and soggy soil
Clogged Pothos roots can lead to stunted growth and lack of nutrients in the leaves.When the roots are damaged, the plant finds it difficult to get the essential nutrients and water it needs to keep its leaves healthy.
The roots are like the plant’s delivery truck, delivering essential nutrients and moisture to the right places.
But they can’t do their job if they get clogged or soaked. This leads to falling leaves and their dull, colorless appearance.
Root damage can be caused by a number of things, such as a clogged root system or too much mulch (aka too much water), which makes the soil waterlogged.
If your Pothos hasn’t changed its environment (read: transplant) in more than two years, it may feel cramped in its pot or the soil has deteriorated, causing root damage.
Also beware of hot floors in summer! Placing the pot directly on a hot surface after watering can create a steam sauna inside the pot, damaging those roots.
The same applies in cold weather in winter: if the plant is in a cold environment with standing water in the pot, this can chill the roots and cause damage.
It’s time to solve this problem with root unblocking and soil moisture control.
If the floor is soggy, allow it to dry out completely. Then place your plant in a bright and airy place (if possible with some afternoon sun). No additional fertilizer is needed.
If you see roots emerging from the bottom of the pot, it may be time for a new home (read: transplant).
And if it takes a long time for water to soak into the soil after watering, it’s time to improve the drainage capacity of the soil.
3- Pothos in the sun? A recipe for leaf fall disaster!
Prolonged direct exposure to sunlight can cause pothos leaves to burn and become crispy.Pothos may be a plant, but too much sun is not its friend! As you can see, Pothos is a bit different from other plants when it comes to sunlight.
While most plants like to bask in the sun, too much sun can fry pothos leaves and cause them to drop.
This is because Pothos is a climbing plant native to tropical rainforests, where it grows under the canopy of tall trees and receives just the right amount of sunlight.
But beware: if you leave Pothos outside in full sun, especially in summer, it will burn, and not in a good way. We’re talking about sheets that look crispier than a potato chip almost 100% of the time.
Burnt leaves are more than just a cosmetic disaster; they are a real problem for your Pothos! Those crusty brown spots can’t do what the leaves are supposed to do: photosynthesis.
This means that the leaves do not help the plant to obtain energy and therefore the whole plant may feel weak and lose leaves.
What to do if Pothos leaves are damaged by excessive sun?
Don’t worry; it’s fixable!
- First look where the plant is. If exposed to direct sunlight, move it to an area with dappled light or use a shade cloth.
- And be careful moving your Pothos from a dark to a sunny location. Feed it in full sun starting with a little light and gradually increasing.
- If it’s an indoor pothos, give it a sunny window with bright indirect light. And for outdoor pothos, aim for shade or partial shade, with a gentle kiss of comforting midday sun.
With these tips, your Pothos will be looking its best again in no time!
4- A physiological process
The yellowing of old Pothos leaves is a normal process that redirects energy to new growth.Sometimes plants drop their old leaves to conserve energy and nutrients needed for new growth.
But don’t be surprised if the leaves drop, even if your plant looks happy and healthy. That’s how it goes sometimes.
Usually only the leaves fall to the bottom of the plant. But if you see new leaves dropping, it could mean there’s a problem with direct sunlight, root damage, or pests and diseases.
And if the leaves seem sticky, covered in white dust, or look like a cobweb, watch out! Your plant may have creepy crawling pests, like spider mites or chewing fungal diseases.
When Pothos undergoes physiological changes and loses its leaves
If your Pothos loses some of its older leaves, don’t worry, it’s just part of its growing process. But if you are also losing new leaves, it is time to investigate other reasons.
Key learning points
Take a good look at your Pothos, think about how you cared for it, then check out these seasonal tips:
- from spring to autumn – If the roots come out of the bottom of the pot, it is time to transplant! And if the temperature exceeds 20°C, bring your plant to the shade outdoors for optimal growth.
- Summer – Beware of sunburn and the crackling of the earth. Leaving the pot in direct light or on a hot surface after watering can cause a hard blow to the leaves and roots.
- Winter – Keep the pot away from frost and do not expose it to window sills during the coldest hours of the day. Pay attention to dry air, avoid pests as soon as possible, and don’t overwater or fertilize just because your plant seems sluggish.
So there you go folks! A variety of reasons why your Pothos could be losing its leaves, so get to it and get to the root of the problem.
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