In their natural habitat—the tropical rainforest—Pothos plants (*Epipremnum aureum*) love to climb high up tree trunks. Since they’re so versatile, many indoor gardeners wonder: can this popular houseplant actually live in an aquarium?
A Land Plant Underwater?
Technically, Pothos is a land plant, and most of us grow it as a potted houseplant in soil. However, there are a few big clues that suggest it can handle life in an aquarium:
- It thrives in hydroponics.
- You can easily propagate it just by putting cuttings in a glass of water.
- It’s perfectly happy living long-term in water alone.
Using Pothos in Your Aquarium
Given those points, there’s no reason you can’t use Pothos in your fish tank! However, there are a few “rules of the road” you need to follow to keep both your plant and your fish happy.
The Setup
Aquarium enthusiasts, please forgive me, but from a Pothos plant’s perspective, a fish tank is really just a giant vase. The type of container doesn’t matter much to the plant, but the *way* you position it definitely does.
The most important thing to remember is that while Pothos loves water, it is not an underwater plant. Here is how you should set it up:
- The roots go inside the aquarium.
- The leaves and stems must stay above the water line.
The Roots
Since only the roots are submerged, they are the “make or break” factor for success. I don’t recommend taking a plant that’s currently growing in soil and moving it to a tank. It is incredibly hard to get every last bit of dirt off the root ball. Some experts suggest scrubbing them with a mix of water and a tiny bit of dish soap, but usually, some residue remains, which can mess with your tank’s water quality.
The better way? Start fresh by growing cuttings in a glass of water first. This way, the young roots never touch soil in the first place.
Using a Pot as a Helper
Figuring out how to keep the plant from sliding into the water can be tricky (and sometimes looks a bit messy). A simple hack is to use a small plastic nursery pot with plenty of drainage holes. Here’s the trick:
- Place your Pothos in the pot.
- Gently thread the roots through the drainage holes at the bottom.
- Position the pot so only the roots hang down into the aquarium water.
The Pros and Cons
The Benefits
Using Pothos in your aquarium isn’t just about the “jungle look.” There’s a huge practical benefit: those roots act as a natural filter. They soak up nitrates and phosphates to use as nutrients, which helps keep your water cleaner for longer. This creates a healthier environment for your fish and might even mean you can go a little longer between water changes!
The Drawbacks
While the pros definitely outweigh the cons, there is one thing to watch out for. If left unchecked, Pothos can be a bit of a space hog. The root system can grow so vigorously that it starts to take over the tank, so you’ll want to give them a trim every now and then to keep things balanced.
