Pothos is an excellent plant for plant lovers and collectors.
If you have the pothos plant or are considering getting one, is it normal to wonder how long do pothos live? Well, in this article, we will discuss about pothos lifespan and how to extend it.
The good news is that pothos plants are quite long-lived and can live for years and look beautiful. Pothos plants normally live between 2 and 10 years.
When properly cared for, they have excellent longevity and can live up to 20 years depending on the species.
An interesting fact is that they can live even in extremely difficult conditions.
Several factors can affect the lifespan of pothos. In this article, we’ll discuss each stage the plant goes through and teach you some tips that will ensure your plant lasts a long time.
pothos story
Pothos plants come from the islands of French Polynesia. The plant is native to tropical forests and is often the climber that clambers over tree trunks or stretches of ground.
In nature, the plant grows much more than indoors. The trunk, fronds, fronds and body in general develop, and each leaf can grow up to 20 centimeters in length.
The pothos plant has caused some confusion in botany over time. Originally it belongs to the genus pothos. However, before that, he had quite a long move.
As early as the 1960s, the plant became associated with genus Rhaphidophora. Before the recognition of its own species, it also belonged to Epipremnum pinnatum.
After many different opinions, the very own type of pothos was created.
1880, pothos aureus This is the genus that the plant has adopted. Currently the Epipremnum aureum is a botanical name for pothos. This family includes the various pothos cultivars and various species.
Pothos belongs to the monstera subfamily this also includes the famous houseplant Monstera. Sometimes pothos are also confused with philodendrons due to their climbing nature.
The Pothos plant has symbolic meaning in many cultures and the plant is believed to bring financial prosperity and happiness to the family.
Also, it is believed that the plant can cleanse the house of negative and stagnant energy. They have a very vigorous growth and are therefore associated with determination and eternal life.
Features of Pothos
Pothos has shiny leaves with a waxy texture and resembles a heart shape. The blade is round in shape and pointed at the ends.
The foliage is usually grown off the vines and sometimes produces aerial roots. These roots help the stem. escalation in all the structures available nearby.
Different varieties of pothos have different characteristics. golden pothos, for example, have green leaves with a yellowish spot.
However, due to the different experiments conducted on the plant, they can be found in different characteristics.
The plant has the vines pointing upwards and is used as a support which also helps it grow and produce dense clusters.
They look especially beautiful when placed in the hanging basket and put down.
The plant feels perfectly in the tropics of September 11, 2001. The best way for its happiness is to keep it in a container like a pot. If good conditions are offered, grow fast enough and it spread quickly.
What are the different types of Pothos?
Today, there are many types and variations of pothos plants that can be found all over the world.
Each of them has unique characteristics and colors. The most common varieties of pothos plants are golden pothos and original pothos.
Marble of Queen Pothos it is one of the most popular variegated plant varieties. It comes in white and cream colors in addition to green. It comes with long vines in cascading shapes.
snow Queen it is one of the prettiest pothos plants and has large white spots and tints.
This one is somewhat similar to Marble Queen Pothos, but Snow Queen is sharper, more powerful, and more selective. It also has characteristic vibrant white spots and a dramatic appearance.
neon potos it is not a variegated pothos and has vibrant, almost luminous green leaves. Neon pothos is a wonderful houseplant as it can be quite hardy.
jade pots It almost looks like a philodendron. This is more of the traditional version and has leaves that look like a deep forest. It has relatively small leaves compared to others and can live in low light conditions.
no joy It is a smaller version of the pothos plants, it has a larger, more spotted white variety. The variations are mainly distributed on the sides of the foliage.
pearls and jade it is a mixture of irregular and speckled tones. Therefore, the plant has beautiful white spots and white shades with spots on the side. Overall, this type is also one of the most beautiful to use as decoration.
How long do pothos live?
It’s a bit difficult to tell right away how long pothos live. It depends on many different factors and how the plant is cared for.
The approximate number of years of life of pothos can only be applied to some plants and not all.
It is known that the pothos plant can live at any time, starting from 2 years and ending at 10 years. However, if the living conditions are adequate and the plants meet all the essential needs for their development, pothos can live up to 20 years, depending on the species.
After a while, parts of the plant will eventually turn yellow and fall off. This is natural and comes with age.
Even white stalks can fade after a while. Normally, however, the plant will produce new leaves and stems which will extend its lifespan.
Eventually something will trigger the plant, it could be a mistake in care, not the right growing conditions, or disease and pest problems.
Here is a chart showing the lifespan and length of some of the more famous pothos species.
| types of potos | Lifetime |
| golden pothos | 7-10 years old |
| marble queen | 7-10 years old |
| snow Queen | 7-10 years old |
| Neon | 5-10 years |
| Jade | 5-10 years |
| no joy | 5-10 years |
| pearl and jade | 10-12 years old |
How long can a Pothos cutting live?
Pothos cuttings are taken primarily for propagation. After cutting the stem of the mother plant, it is usually put in water.
Also, necessary nutrients such as liquid fertilizer must be added to keep the baby plant happy.
After two to four weeks, new roots will appear. Ultimately, the pothos cutting can live in water for many years. All you need to do is provide essential nutrients and care.
You might also like: Can Pothos live forever in water?
How to Extend the Life of a Pothos
If you want to extend the life of your beloved pothos, you need to take good care of it and provide it with all the necessary properties that the plant needs.
Pothos can be a very forgiving plant, but that doesn’t mean they’ll do well without some care.
The first and one of the most important tips for extending the life of pothos is to place them in the right place. It is best to keep plants indoors, especially in summer when the sun is strong.
Pothos loves indirect light light. Therefore, place them at some distance from the east-facing window, so that the plant receives enough light and does not risk burning.
Be sure to water the plant as needed. excess water it’s one of the biggest threats to our green friends and you’ll have to watch out for it.
Normally the peeps like wet every one or two weeks. When it is in full light, the intensity of irrigation required increases compared to when it is in the shade.
Be sure to give them plenty of light liquid. fertilizer, and do not overfeed. Overfeeding can become a serious problem for pothos plants.
Also make sure to specify the correct type Earth so that the roots can grow freely. Pothos prefer store-bought potting soils.
It is recommended to use the humidifier if you want to make your plant happy. Pothos is native to tropical environments and for this reason you will love it. humidity in the air.
Additionally, the ideal temperature for this plant is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watch out for bacteria, fungi, insects, and root rot. Be sure to check the plant carefully from time to time to avoid further problems.
Which Pothos lives the longest?
Almost all species of pothos have a lifespan of around 10 years. However, in nature, where the perfect conditions for their growth exist, some pothos plants have also lived for 15 years.
Cebu blue pothos can be recorded as one of the most durable pothos. The life expectancy of the representative of this particular species has been increased to 20 years in the wild.
Moreover, Pearls & Jade pothos are also one of the most durable species and the average lifespan of the plants reaches up to 12 years.
final thoughts
Pothos is a beautiful plant that can be used as a decoration in any home and office. Its low maintenance and hardiness is one of the many reasons to have pothos as a houseplant.
It is difficult to say right away how long pothos live, as it depends on various factors and the environment. However, if the plant is well cared for, pothos can live up to 10 years.