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Home » Latest Blog Posts » Plants by type » Pothos

How to make pothos fuller

Published: May 15, 2023 by Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Is your pothos plant looking thin and bare? Here is how to make pothos fuller with specific tips to get your plant looking great!

Pothos, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is a popular choice among plant enthusiasts for its captivating foliage and low-maintenance nature. Its vibrant leaves, ranging from deep green to variegated patterns, can instantly breathe life into any indoor space.

Pothos plants are native to the rainforest and naturally very lush. So, if your plant is looking bare it can be pretty disapointing.

If you're yearning to amplify the fullness of your pothos and create a more voluminous display, you've come to the right place. In this post, we will walk you through practical tips, tricks, and techniques that will help your pothos flourish, thrive, and transform into a magnificent centerpiece for your home or office.

Today, we share with you some incredible tips on keeping your pothos plant spruced up, happy, and healthy all the time. By the time you’re done checking off the things from this list below, your pothos will look incredible – more attractive and fuller!

So let’s dive right in!

How to make pothos fuller

Other pothos content you might enjoy:

  • Golden pothos care guide
  • Cebu Blue pothos care guide
  • Baltic Blue pothos care guide
  • Marble Queen pothos care guide
  • Global Green pothos care guide
  • Neon pothos care guide
  • NJoy Pothos Care Guide
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Printable Pothos Plant Care Guide

Join the (free!) KeepYourPlantsAlive+ community to access this exclusive printable plant care guide! Or keep scrolling for more!

Pothos plant care guide

Exploring Different Pothos Varieties

It would be beneficial to mention that some popular pothos varieties that are known for their lush growth and fuller appearance.

Variations such as Golden Pothos, Marble Queen Pothos, or Neon Pothos tend to grow in a fuller, more "mounding" style that gives the look of a very lush plant.

How to make pothos fuller

The following steps will help to increase the fullness of a pothos plant:

  • pruning
  • proper care
  • lighting
  • watering
  • temperature
  • re-potting
baltic blue pothos vs cebu blue pothos
baltic blue pothos (left) vs cebu blue pothos (right)

You have to prune it frequently

Your pothos plant might look a little leggy because you haven’t given it a trim in a long time! This plant is considered a rapid grower, so give it a proper space to grow!

Cutting back long branches will encourage the plant to grow more bushy at the base.

Have you started noticing some dead leaves? Prune them and give the pothos a good sip of water – they will look refreshed instantly.

Careful while pruning

While we are on the subject of cutting small bits from the plant, this piece of information is worth mentioning.

If you don’t know how to make pothos fuller, then don’t just cut off anything you see. You need to be careful and make some clean cuts.

Find the leaf node and cut right under it, or trim the stem all the way down to the surface of the soil. Take some of the healthy cuts you’ve made and propagate even more plants!

Golden Pothos and Neon Pothos

Get the proper tools to do the job

If you want to know how to make pothos bushy without damaging the plant at all, going for the right tools is the best possible course of action you can take.

Always use a clean and sharp tool to cut your plant. This way, you will avoid damaging it and spreading disease all over.

Whether you make the cuts with scissors, pruner blades, or a knife, clean them with rubbing alcohol right after pruning the pothos.

Keep health at an optimal level

As with every other plant, it’s important to keep the pothos healthy and thriving. Because this is a rugged plant, it doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer.

In general, a healthy, happy plant will grow larger and bushier compared to one not in the perfect conditions. Getting the conditions right will set the plant up for success!

If you happen to perform the pruning regularly, you nudge the plant in the right direction.

Doing this will help the plant produce more new leaves and get extra nutrition.

Take a good look at the fertilizers available at your local store. Opt for one that is balanced, diluted, and in a liquid form, and use it twice a month.

Golden Pothos and Neon Pothos

Avoid stealing its sunshine

Another very important factor in how to make pothos bushy is sunlight. Namely, they don't need to be exposed to direct sunlight but should receive as much bright indirect light as possible.

This is the ultimate formula for making your plant produce more leaves and become denser.

Initially, you might struggle to find the ideal spot that provides optimal light. But once you do, you’ll notice that the plant will start thriving almost immediately.

Pothos plant is known for being variegated, but they will lose variegation without enough lighting.

Put the pot just a few feet away from west or south-facing windows. If you have the variegated variety, opt for a north or an east-facing window.

Give it the right amount of water

Are you familiar with the soak-and-dry watering method? If this is the first time you’ve heard of it, and you want to make pothos fuller, then keep reading.

Give all your plants a nice big drink of water every once in a while. Pour it right through the soil until it emerges from the drainage holes.

Another thing you can do is adjust your watering schedule. You don’t need to water your plant until the soil completely dries.

It’s a method that ensures your pothos plant gets the last drop of water every time you decide to give it a sip.

njoy pothos in a pot

Consistency in warmth

Almost no plant can withstand growing in an environment with inconsistent temperatures, and pothos plants are one of those that need a stable temperature to thrive.

This is mainly because pothos are tropical plants, meaning it's better for them to be kept in a warmer than a cooler place.

If you want to know how to make pothos fuller, your best chance is to give it a consistent temperature of about 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Try to avoid possible temperature spikes, as they can stunt their growth.

Stop overcrowding the plant

Naturally, any crowded pothos that don’t have much room to grow will not grow! Doing your best to learn how to make pothos bushy may take you back to the beginning – meaning you need to give the plant the space it needs.

Instead of making it compete for its space in the pot, give it some extra and see how it thrives!

The plant should grow equally bushy on all sides; all it takes is just planting it in a bigger pot that will allow for its optimal growth and lush appearance!

Troubleshooting Lack of Growth

There are some situations where the pothos plant doesn't show significant growth despite implementing the suggested tips.

Potential reasons might include inadequate light, overwatering, or nutrient deficiencies.

If you can get the plant happy - with proper bright light, a good watering schedule, and regular fertilizing - it will be more likely to grow fuller.

Learning how to do regular pothos maintenance will help you create the most wonderful, visually pleasing plant!

Next time you start thinking about how to make pothos fuller, come back to this article and get all the information you need!

And if you’re interested to discover more on this subject, download our free PDF pothos plant care guide!

Pothos plant care guide

Thanks for reading!

About Me Plant picture
Morgan mcbride headshot
Morgan

Hey there, I'm Morgan, a houseplant enthusiast from sunny Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up surrounded by my mom's lush orchids and African violets, I discovered the magic of bringing nature indoors. Thanks to the pandemic, I delved deeper into houseplants, discovering their power to uplift moods and transform spaces. I'm here to spill all my secrets, helping you pick the perfect houseplant - and make it happy. Let's keep your plants alive, together! 😊

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