In Partnership WithMiracle-Gro®

The Houseplant That Looks Beautiful and Is Hard to Kill— Even If You’re Not a Plant Person

Written by

Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney Balestier is the Apartment Therapy Creative Studio Senior Writer. She holds a master's degree in magazine journalism from NYU and lives in Pittsburgh, where you'll find her doing DIY projects in her new house with her dog and cat (who are not being very helpful).
published Jan 31, 2025
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Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Stylist: Stephanie Yeh

If you don’t think you have a green thumb, you probably just haven’t met a pothos yet. This vining beauty is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. And with its trailing tendrils and endless varieties — from pale neon to deep emerald and solid green to beautifully variegated — it’s also living statement decor.

Pothos is about as low-maintenance as it gets: The plant doesn’t get fussy about the occasional missed watering and can adapt to almost any lighting condition (though it loves bright, indirect light best). But with a few smart tricks, it will look extra eye-catching. Here’s how to make it really stand out.

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Stylist: Stephanie Yeh

Give It a Trim

Pothos is prolific — it’s part of why we love it! — but even good growth needs to be monitored. Periodically remove any yellow or brown leaves. (If you’re seeing a lot of yellow leaves, your plant might be getting too much sunlight.) Then grab your plant scissors. Disinfect them with a quick swipe of rubbing alcohol and then trim any vines that look too long or scraggly. Cut just above a leaf node (that spot where the leaf meets the main stem) to encourage new growth.

Bonus: Pothos is a cinch to propagate! Simply remove the lower leaves from any healthy cuttings and submerge the cut ends in water. You’ll have new shoots in no time.

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Stylist: Stephanie Yeh

Let It Hang Out

Pothos’s Rapunzel locks deserve to take center stage! Hang your plant from the ceiling to show off those long, trailing vines: They make for a romantic, cascading effect that’s just dreamy. And if you have a variegated variety, like Golden Pothos, hanging it in bright, indirect light will bring out those beautiful striations best. You can even trail the vines along a bookshelf or other architectural detail for added drama!

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Stylist: Stephanie Yeh

Keep It Healthy

Pothos plants aren’t fussy, but the better you care for them, the more beautiful they’ll be. That starts with soil: Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix keeps feeding plants for up to six months and is designed to be less prone to fungus gnats, which can feast on your houseplants. (Not cute.) This versatile potting mix also contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water to help the soil re-wet.

Water your pothos when the soil is completely dry, about every 1–2 weeks (longer in winter). And a little snack is always a good idea: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food instantly delivers a balanced mix of the nutrients that plants need to thrive. It can be added directly to the soil or mixed into your watering can to keep your pothos shining all year long.