Pothos plants (botanically known as *Epipremnum*) are famous for being some of the easiest houseplants to keep alive. But if you want to make things even more low-maintenance, try growing these leafy beauties in hydroponics! The best part about this setup is the water level indicator—it basically tells you exactly when your plant needs a drink, taking all the guesswork out of your plant parent duties.
The Perfect Spot
When it comes to where to put your Pothos, the rules are pretty much the same whether they’re in soil or water. These plants are happiest in a spot that is:
- Bright and
- Warm
While they love a sunny location, they’re also pretty chill with partial shade. Just a heads-up: if you have a variegated variety (the ones with the cool white or yellow splashes) and it’s in a spot that’s too dark, it might lose those patterns and turn solid green to soak up more light.
Care Tips
Watering
Since Pothos generally prefer staying moist rather than drying out completely, they are the perfect candidates for hydroponics. However, you still want to be careful not to overdo it—even in water, they don’t like “wet feet” (stagnant water buildup).
To keep things simple, I recommend using a system with an outer pot and a water level indicator. This little gadget shows you exactly when to refill. The sweet spot is usually right when the indicator starts to move. Once it drops down to the “minimum” mark, it’s time to give your houseplant a refill. You’ll find yourself doing this more often in the summer than in the winter.
Fertilizing
Since water alone doesn’t have all the nutrients a Pothos needs to grow lush and full, you’ll need to fertilize regularly. The easiest way is to use a liquid fertilizer specifically designed for hydroponics. Just add it to your watering routine every three to four weeks, and your plant will be good to go.
Switching to Hydroponics
Even though Pothos can thrive in both soil and water, I wouldn’t recommend taking a plant that’s already living in dirt and moving it to a hydro setup. It’s nearly impossible to get every last bit of soil off the roots. If any dirt stays behind, it can lead to mold or rot in a hydroponic system, which can really hurt your *Epipremnum*.
The exception? Babies! If you want to start a hydroponic Pothos, the best way is to take cuttings and let them grow their very first roots directly in a jar of water. Since they’ve never touched soil, they’ll adapt perfectly to their watery home.
