How To Prune Pothos Plants? (A Step By Step Guide)
If you are planning to cut back your pothos plant, then read on to know how to prune pothos in a safe and efficient manner.
Because Pothos houseplants are supposedly easy to grow and maintain, they’re very famous all around the world.
Pothos plants have a lot to offer, and if you learn how to care for them properly, they can last a long time.
However, if you want them to be bushy and fuller, then there are a few things to keep in mind when working with these plants.
And, one important step you should take to promote its growth is pruning or trimming your plant’s leaves.
Pruning a Pothos plant is necessary for the health and well-being of the plant as well as its aesthetic appeal.
But, to do trimming, you first need to know how to prune pothos properly right? And, that’s exactly what I’m going to share now.
In this article , I will be going through everything you need to know about pruning a pothos plant. The topics include,
- Best time to prune pothos
- Why is pruning important for pothos
- What equipments you need to prune pothos
- How to prune pothos? (Step by Step)
- Lot’s more.
Without any delay, let’s get started.
Best Time To Prune Pothos
Pruning your Pothos plant is one of the first things to consider. Fortunately, Pothos is far more resilient than most other houseplants, but pruning it while it’s actively growing is still preferable. Plants can become stressed and bare if they are pruned at the wrong time.
It would help if you only pruned your Pothos during its growth period, typically from spring to early fall. Faster healing and rapid establishment of new growth are made possible.
To keep your plants healthy, you must prune them at the right time. Ensure that wounds heal as quickly as possible and that the plant has the energy to put out new growth. This should always be done during the height of the growing season.
Spring and summer are the best times to prune Pothos. Pruning is most effective when the plant is at its most comfortable temperature, so stay away from extreme heat or cold periods. Unless you have an immediate problem with pests and diseases, you should avoid pruning your Pothos in the winter.
Why Is Pruning Important For Your Pothos?
When given the right conditions, Pothos plants can grow to enormous proportions in a short period. Pruning is primarily done to keep the plant’s size in check so that it is appropriate for the location in your home where it is growing, rather than for its health.
To encourage new growth and thicken the foliage of a plant, pruning is an excellent method. Some people prefer to grow Pothos in containers, so it’s better if it grows compactly. Pruning non-dominant stems can help direct growth toward longer stems and thus increase the overall length of the plant for those who prefer a trailing, vining growth habit.
Shaping Pothos
Pothos plants have long vines that can grow more than 10 inches in a month, making them fast growers. As a result, they’ll quickly outgrow the neat package they came in. When it comes to shaping and sizing your plants, pruning can be a helpful tool.
Promote Growth
Pruning may seem like a waste of time, but it is precisely what it does to help your plants grow.
Plant wounds are created when pruning is done correctly by removing plant sections at the right place and time. When your plants have open wounds, they produce hormones that cause them to grow larger and more robust.
How To Prune Pothos Plants?
Decide the amount of pruning you’ll be doing when pruning your Pothos before you even begin the process.
You can cut the vines in half or cut them almost to the soil line with this plant, which is highly versatile and hardy.
Equipment Needed To Prune Pothos
The necessary equipment is easy to come by. Using a pair of scissors and a few sheets of paper towels to cover the area where you are pruning your plant is all you need to get the job done.
Your pruning shears should be sanitary and clean.
Clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol or hot, soapy water if you want to prevent the spread of disease from one houseplant to the next.
Step By Step Pruning Of Pothos
- A thorough examination of the plant is the first step in pruning. Find any damaged, yellow, brown, dead, and curly leaves and brown stems that you can come across. Before removing any healthy leaves or stems, you should remove these first.
- It’s best to place your plant in an area where the stem is strong to promote new growth and keep it healthy. Trim the stem to a leaf node that is still in good health. To be clear, you should leave the plant’s node on. What is a node? A node is a small protrusion on the stem where new growth occurs.
- Remove an inch of the healthy stem and foliage from the rest of the Pothos plant. The cut end will be less likely to develop the same problem.
- Taking care of your Pothos will probably necessitate trimming back some overgrown healthy vines as well. Begin by drawing up a picture of what your finished product should look like.
- You can trim your Pothos in various ways, all of which are visually appealing in their way. Don’t push yourself too hard in any area, and plan ahead of time.
- You can fine-tune your design by cutting the stems and forming the plant into the general shape you desire.
- Removing some whole stems to the soil may be a good idea. It’s best if you trace each vine back to the soil and cut it two to four inches below the soil surface for best results.
- It’s essential to quickly inspect your Pothos for signs of pests after you’ve finished trimming it and it looks nice and tidy. Pruning is a great time to inspect the foliage for bugs or other issues.
How To Prune Pothos – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, I will be answering some of the most frequently asked questions about pruning or trimming a pothos plant.
What time of the year is best for pruning pothos?
The best time of the year to prune a pothos plant is from spring to early fall. It’s not just about pothos plants, whenever you try to prune a plant it should be done in it’s growing season so that it can heal all the wounds pretty quickly without drying.
If you live in a place where the winter does not have freezing temperatures, then you can prune your pothos plants in early winter months as well.
Do pothos grow back after cutting?
Yes, pothos plants grow back after cutting. If you are cutting vines with nodes and a couple of leaves, then you can propagate them in water or soil to get new plants as well.
What will happen if I prune pothos in winter?
It is not recommended to prune in winter because the wounds from pruning will dry out quickly due to the freezing temperatures. If the wounds dry up, then there won’t be any new growth from that area.
Also, pruning is a stressful exercise for the plant. It will take a lot of plant’s energy to heal all the wounds because of pruning, but pothos plants are known to be dormant in winter months with just producing enough energy to survive.
Conclusion
Generally, Pothos plants are lovely plants that require very little pruning.
But, if you want it to be fuller and bushy, then pruning at frequent intervals is necessary.
As a general rule of caution, use a sterilized knife or scissors to prune your pothos plant so that no bacteria or fungal infection happens in the open wounds.
Also, it is recommended to wear gloves while pruning pothos.
