How To Revive a Dying Pothos Plant?

What would you do if you noticed that your Pothos plant was dying? I would never wish upon such a day for any plant lover!

But do not worry! There are still a handful of ways you can save them.

So, to start the revival process, remove the dead leaves and wait for the soil to dry out between waterings.

However, if the plant seems beyond repair, there might not be much to do. So, the best way to revive a dying Pothos plant is to act upon the early signs.

Listen to this article here:

How can you figure out that your Pothos plant is dying?

First and foremost, watch out for the symptoms of deterioration. Second, your Pothos might be failing for various reasons; hence, it is vital to determine the cause.

I will tell you all about it in this article. Follow me!

Signs of a Dying Pothos

Pothos exhibit several signs that they are dying. And you, as a plant parent, have to look out for them.

• A discolored and deformed stem that appears rough and lifeless. Sometimes, the stems might start going black or brown.
• Yellow and brown leaves. The leaves may develop black and brown spots. They might lose luster and feel crispy.
• Droopy leaves appear lifeless and feel squishy to the touch. It is usual for leaves to seem limp and fall out at the bottom of the stem; however, it might indicate danger to the plant if this occurs at the top lengths.
• Stunted or slow growth. Your Pothos might take a very long time to develop new foliage. And the foliage might not look healthy.
• Curling leaves, especially at the top part of the Pothos plant.
• The soil smells different or foul. Sometimes, root rot can make the soil smell unpleasant.

What Causes Pothos Plants to Die?

There might be numerous factors that contribute to the death of your Pothos.

Now, let us quickly go through the possible reason for killing your Pothos and understand how to revive them.

1. Overwatering the Plant

Excessive watering reduces the oxygen levels in the soil. And you can imagine the outcome. Less oxygen means an unhealthy plant.

One of the most common results of overwatering is root rot. Prolonged exposure to wet and soggy soil causes discoloration in the stem and leaves.

You will also see that the edges of your Pothos leave start turning brownish.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• Firstly, do not water your Pothos for a few days.
• Then, place your Pothos in a brighter place but under direct sunlight.
• Water only when the soil is dry.
• Lastly, prune away the dead leaves and stem.

Preventions

• Water only when the topsoil is dry. Check the potting mix by sticking your finger 2 inches deep in the soil.
• Make sure the soil is damp but not soaking wet.
• Also, ensure that excess water drains out through the drainage holes in the pot.
• Use pebbles at the bottom of your pot to avoid sogginess in the soil.

2. Underwatering the Plant

Underwatering is one of the uncommon reasons for your Pothos to exhibit signs of stress. Pothos don’t require frequent watering and can go for a few days without water.

However, underwatering for an extended period can cause dehydration at the cellular level and affect your Pothos’ well-being.

You will also see cracks in the topsoil, some parts of the roots become visible, and your plant will appear frail and stringy.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• First, restore the moisture by watering the plant immediately until you see excess water running through drainage holes.
• Then, mist the plant for a few days to give it an extra hydration boost and help them recover.
• Also, remove the damaged leaves and prune the dead stems.

Preventions

• It is best to water your Pothos once every 6-7 days depending upon their size.
• If you are going away from your plant for a long time, you can set up a capillary water system to avoid water loss in your Pothos.
• Also, it is best to go for the bottom watering method.
• Water more frequently in summers than in winter seasons.

3. Bad Lighting Conditions

If you have placed your Pothos out in the direct sun, your Pothos cannot tolerate the heat. It is a medium-light-loving plant that does best in indirect light.

So, let them stay in the sun for a few hours, and you’ll give them burnt leaves!

They will technically starve themselves to death due to a lack of Photosynthesis. Stunting is one of the early signs that your Pothos needs more light.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• First, remove the Pothos from extreme lighting conditions and place them in a bright spot with indirect light.
• Then, place your Pothos beside a window, where the glasses filter the harsh rays.

Preventions

• Place your Pothos indoors. They love the indoor setting.
• Invest in a good fluorescent light if your living space has no natural light source. Place it right above or beside your Pothos.
• If you wish to place them on your balcony, keep them in a shady spot. Bring them indoors in winter.
• Also, ensure that your hanging Pothos on the walls gets enough light from the top to avoid stringy plants.

4. Pest Infestation

Although pest infestation is considerably uncommon in Pothos, especially when kept indoors, other neighboring plants can still cause infections.

Spider mites, ants, mealybugs, scales, etc., can sometimes be why your Pothos might be dying.

At the same time, others may attack the leaves and stem tissues causing long-term damage.

Well, in any case, if left untreated, they will kill your Pothos in a matter of a few weeks.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• First, trim the affected leaves and stems and burn them so the infestation doesn’t spread.
• Then check the roots, remove the bugs, and cut off infected roots.
• Clean the roots carefully under running water and plant them in a new sterilized potting mix.
• Also, isolate your Pothos from other plants and check your healthy plants for a few days.
• Spray diluted neem oil or a natural insecticide on the leaves and stem. Keep spraying it twice a week for a few months.
• Clean the leaves and stems using diluted apple cider vinegar once a week.

Preventions

• Dilute dish-washing liquid with water and spray on the leaves and stems once a month. Do not spray on the soil or roots.
• Place citrus peels on the topsoil to ward off any root eaters.

Are you worried about bugs on your Pothos? Read More: Do Pothos Attracts Bugs?

5. Unfavorable Temperatures

Extreme temperatures are the enemies of the Pothos plant. Just like humans, they cannot stand too hot and too cold climates.

Inappropriate temperatures will cause your Pothos to die in a matter of days. Shrunken leaves are the first signs of bad temperatures.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• Immediately provide the appropriate temperature to your plant. They will tolerate temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Then provide some water to your plant to help them recover fast.

Preventions

• Change the location and positioning of your Pothos according to the season. It might not be wise to place your Pothos beside a window in chilly winters.

6. Excessive Use of Fertilizers

Too much of a good thing can be detrimental!

Pothos are not heavy feeders. If you feed them with plant fertilizers and vitamins now and then, you invite death upon your Pothos.

However, if you never fertilize your Pothos, there is nothing to worry about. They will flourish anyway!

Black and brown leaves are common indications of overfertilization.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• First, transfer the Pothos plant to a new pot with fresh potting mix.
• Then trim the damaged roots and leaves.
• Carefully flush or leach out the excess fertilizer.

Preventions

• If you have to fertilize, make sure you do it once a month or less, depending on the plant size.
• It is best to use water-soluble vitamins and fertilizers that are slow releasing in nature.
• Also, do not fertilize in the winter season. Spring seasons are best for the fertilization of Pothos.

7. Low Humidity Levels

As Pothos are native to sub-tropical climates, they love humid air. Lack of humidity will result in crispy leaves due to water loss.

You will also observe that the tip of the stem and leaves start turning brown. Eventually, the plant dies due to excessively dry surroundings.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• Firstly, add some moisture to the soil.
• Then spray some water immediately on the stem and leaves.

Preventions

• The humidity levels should always be above 60%. Anything below 50% can be life-threatening to your Pothos.
• Occasional misting promotes the health of your indoor plants.
• Invest in a good humidifier, and place it beside your plant.
• Or, DIY a budget-friendly humidifier by filling a bowl with water and placing it beside your Pothos.
• Position your Pothos away from air conditioners and heaters.

8. Fungal Infection

Fungal infection is prevalent in house plants. They tend to develop fungal infections, especially if you place your Pothos in a dark corner without much light and airflow.

The fungal infection mostly starts from the roots and spreads upwards to the stem and leaves.

Furthermore, one of the common signs of fungal infection in your Pothos is tiny holes in leaves.

It spreads quickly, and they sometimes affect the plant at cellular levels. Hence, treat them immediately if you want to save your Pothos.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• Trim away the infected leaves and stems.
• Then check the roots, and if you see any unhealthy roots, carefully prune them.
• Use a fungicide. If the fungus has affected the roots, add some fungicide to the soil. If leaves are the victims, clean them with fungicide.

Preventions

• Do not keep the soil wet for too long. Fungus loves a warm and damp environment.
• Add Perlite to your potting mix for quick and efficient absorption of water. It also makes the soil airy and dry.
• After misting your Pothos, wipe the leaves and stem with a clean cloth.

Have you noticed any hole on your Pothos’ leaves? Find out more: Why are there Holes in my Pothos Leaves?

9. Root Rot

Mushy roots and frail-looking plants are indications of root rot. Root rot can even cause the stunted growth of plants.

Immediate Steps to Revival

• Begin pruning the damaged leaves. And if there are a lot of damaged leaves, don’t prune them all at once; prune roughly half of them.
• Examine the roots and remove the plant from the pot and all soil from the root ball.
• But when removing old dirt, be careful not to injure feeder roots.
• For a few minutes, wash the roots under running water (you can use dish soap to remove the dead roots and kill bacteria and fungus stuck in the roots)
• Then dip the roots in a solution made from a mixture of 10 ml hydrogen peroxide and 200 ml water for a few minutes.
• Take a large pot to keep the roots and soil from suffocating.
• And finally, repot the plant in a pot with proper drainage.

Prevention

• Spend time with your plant and inspect the roots frequently.
• Take adequate care of the soil to keep it healthy.
• Drainage is important for keeping fungus and bacteria away from roots and soil.

10. Other Reasons

Here are other potential reasons behind a dying Pothos.

• Poor Drainage: Is your soil wet and soggy all the time, even though your watering schedules are far apart?
• Revival tip: It is time to drill in a few more holes at the bottom of your pot. Also, add some perlite to your potting mix. It is best to use terracotta or clay pots.
• Wrong Pot Size: Is your Pothos stunted? Are some of the underground roots poking out? Well, if yes, your Pothos is root-bound!
• Revival tip: You can quickly revive your Pothos by repotting them in slightly larger pots. It is best to repot once every two years.

Pothos Revival Summarized