Plants/Easy
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Pothos is the easiest trailing houseplant to keep alive. Its heart-shaped leaves grow quickly in almost any light, and cuttings root in a glass of water within days.
Give it a bright spot for the boldest variegation, or leave it in a dimmer corner for a solid green cascade. Either way it will forgive you a missed watering or two.
Common problems
Yellow leaves along the vine
Overwatering. Let the soil dry between waterings and prune off yellow leaves.
Full guide: Yellow Leaves →Long bare stems
Too little light. Move brighter and prune stems back to encourage bushier growth.
Full guide: Leggy or Stretched Growth →Loss of variegation
Not enough light. Variegated pothos need bright indirect light to keep their yellow or white markings.
Questions, answered
How do I propagate pothos?+
Cut a stem below a node, place it in water for 1–2 weeks until roots form, then pot in soil.
How fast does pothos grow?+
In good conditions, 30–45 cm of new growth per month during spring and summer.
Why are my pothos leaves small?+
Low light or a root-bound pot. Give it more light and repot one size up.