Golden pothos are among the most common and dazzling of all houseplants. Their green and gold heart-shaped foliage vines throughout homes and buildings all over the world.
Pothos is a tropical evergreen plant that is also known as Epipremnum aureum. It is very flexible and easy to grow indoors. It tolerates low-light settings and irregular waterings. Pothos is even nicknamed “Devil’s Ivy” because it can be so hard to kill!.
While golden pothos can tolerate low light, it is not totally invincible. Low light is not the same as no light! Not enough light can make the plant weak and cause the vine to grow “leggy” without many leaves. Low light can also cause them to lose their beautiful golden variegation. On the flip side, too much light can burn the foliage.
Luckily, all you have to do to grow a beautiful pothos plant is put it somewhere with just the right amount of bright, indirect light.
With their lush cascading vines and easy care reputation, pothos plants are a popular choice for homes and offices worldwide. But can these tropical beauties thrive in direct sunlight? This comprehensive guide examines how sunlight affects pothos, ideal lighting conditions, and tips for protecting plants in sunny spots.
Understanding Pothos’ Natural Habitat
To understand pothos’ light needs, it helps to consider their native environment. Pothos are native to tropical jungles across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. As an understory plant, pothos thrives in the dappled sunlight filtering through the jungle canopy. Their leaves are adapted to bright, indirect light.
The Effects of Direct Sunlight on Pothos
While pothos can tolerate some direct sun, too much can overwhelm them Here’s an overview of how sunlight impacts these plants
Potential Benefits
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Enhanced variegation – Morning sun can intensify the white/yellow patterns on varieties like Marble Queen
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Faster growth – With plenty of water and care, limited direct sun may boost growth rate.
Risks of Prolonged Exposure
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Sunburn – Harsh midday/afternoon sun scorches leaves, causing brown crispy spots.
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Dehydration – Intense sun raises transpiration, drying out soil quickly.
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Fading – Constant bright light bleaches vibrant leaf colors.
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Wilting – Overwhelmed by excessive light levels.
Determining the Best Light Conditions
Aim to recreate the dappled jungle sunlight pothos thrive under in their native habitat:
Bright, Indirect Light
This most closely mimics pothos’ natural conditions. Place near an east-facing window filtered by a sheer curtain.
Low Light Tolerance
Pothos adjust well to low light areas but may grow slower and lose variegation.
Controlled Morning Sun
1-2 hours of early sun can benefit pothos. Avoid hot afternoon sun from south/west windows.
Caring for Pothos in Direct Sunlight
If you must place your pothos in a sunny area, some adjustments can help it cope:
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Use sheer curtains to diffuse harsh light.
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Rotate the plant to distribute light evenly.
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Check soil moisture frequently and water liberally.
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Monitor for signs of stress like wilting or scorched leaves.
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Move plant to a shadier spot at the first sign of damage.
Signs of Sunlight Stress
Watch for these cues that indicate too much sun:
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Crispy, brown leaf edges
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Leaves drooping from dehydration
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Variegated patterns fading
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Wilting despite regular watering
Troubleshooting Sunburned Pothos
If your pothos shows signs of sun damage:
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Trim off damaged leaves
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Relocate to a bright, indirect light source
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Thoroughly hydrate dry soil
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Apply a balanced fertilizer to aid recovery
Growing Pothos Outdoors
When growing pothos outside, avoid direct sun by placing in a shady area. A covered patio or under a larger plant works well. Check soil moisture often and mist leaves if needed. Bring pothos indoors before temps drop below 60°F.
Finding the Right Sunlight Balance
The key is finding the “sweet spot” of light for your pothos. While they tolerate some sun, too much direct exposure can overwhelm them. Place in east facing windows or areas with bright, ambient light to recreate their native jungle habitat. With the right balance, your pothos will thrive for years to come!
Loss of Variegation in Leaves
In particular, golden pothos will start to lose their beautiful golden stripes and turn mostly green to try to make up for the lack of light. This can be quite a bummer if you bought this plant specifically for its pretty coloring.
Keep in mind that plants’ chloroplasts, which are where they do most of their photosynthesis, are found in the middle of their leaves. If the plant doesn’t get enough light, its genes will change so it stops making the golden or white parts of the leaves. Plants are smarter than we think! These plants quickly turn to bland green pothos under low light conditions.
If it seems like your pothos is growing agonizingly slow, it may be due to low light conditions. Sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and minerals are what plants use to make their own food. If any of these things are missing, the plant will have a hard time photosynthesizing and growing new leaves.
Pothos quickly become stunted and slow growing when they don’t have enough light to fuel their photosynthetic processes. However, slow growth can also come from issues with watering, soil, or plant nutrition. Check for other symptoms to determine if lighting is the main reason for your pothos’ lagging growth. And when in doubt, just experiment with moving it to a new location.
Low light will also cause “leggy” vines. As the plant reaches for the sun, it lengthens the space between each leaf. Leaves get smaller and the stems get more frail and lanky. This causes a spindly appearance that is not nearly as attractive as lush, healthy pothos. Thankfully, pruning and moving to a brighter area can quickly resolve this issue to create more bushy growth.
If you really want a pothos to grow in a place with very little light, like a bathroom with a small window, you should get a Jade Pothos (the pure green kind). They simply can’t handle areas of the home without enough sunshine through the window.
How Much Light Do They Need?
For optimal growth, this plant thrives in bright, but indirect sunlight. Most of the time, 5 to 10 feet away from a south-facing window (closer to the room’s interior) or near a west-facing window is best for them. Pothos can grow on any windowsill as long as it’s not too close and gets burned or too far away and needs to reach for light.
These tropical vines were basically destined to become houseplants because they are so adapted to dappled shade and indirect sunlight. In their native habitat, pothos ramble and wind along the tropical rainforest floor or up the trunks of trees and structures.
This means that they are never in full direct sunlight; they tolerate quite a bit of shade. They can even live long and happy lives on top of your fridge or somewhere else that doesn’t get much sun. The pothos is still a plant, though, so it needs to make its own food by photosynthesis, which means leaving the green parts of its leaves out in the sun.
The biggest mistake made by beginner pothos parents is placing the plant in too much shade or near-darkness. This usually leads to a sad, slowly growing pothos plant that loses its pretty color and tries very hard to reach the light.
13 Common Pothos Growing Mistakes Everyone Must Avoid
FAQ
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