Pothos care requirements
Symptoms to look for in Pothos
Roots turn dark brown to black and feel mushy rather than firm and white, often with wilting or yellowing leaves despite visibly wet soil, and a sour smell when the plant is removed from its pot.
Common causes in Pothos
Pothos roots readily in plain water, which can make soil-based root rot confusing — but roots grown in soil need oxygen from air pockets in the mix, not constant saturation. The Pythium/Phytophthora fungi behind this disease thrive when soil stays wet for extended periods, which happens easily since Pothos is often watered on a fixed schedule rather than by checking soil dryness.
How to treat root rot in Pothos
Remove the plant, trim away all mushy roots with a sterilised blade, and repot in fresh well-draining mix. Consider propagating any healthy remaining stem sections in water as a backup while the main plant recovers.
Preventing root rot in Pothos
Only water once soil is fully dry, use a well-draining mix, and make sure the pot has drainage holes — Pothos is far more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering.