I’ve had this plant for a while in other countries, and it was always very easy going. But after the last time I moved the sapling I took with me has started struggling.

The picture is not a perfect illustration, but you can see new leaves coming out turning black in the ends, and eventually drying out and dying. This already happened with a lot of leaves that I cut off, but now it’s repeating itself with the new ones.

The plant has been in a relatively bright spot and I think it has received enough water that it shouldn’t be the problem. The black parts are completely dead. Does anyone have any idea what can be done? :)

I’m sorry the picture is not more illustrative.

  • massive_bereavement@fedia.io
    7·
    14 days ago

    My checklist for pothos tends to be:

    • Direct sunlight would burn leaves.
    • Roots rotting due to over-watering (if you raise the internal pot that has the draining holes, does it leak water? if you stick a chopstick in it before watering, is it wet?)
    • Lacks proper drainage. (I tend to add an inch of volcanic porous stones at the bottom of most pots allowing them to keep some spare water but not soaking their root soil; adding a draining method at the end).
    • Under-watering can also have a similar effect (is the top soil very dry almost dusty?)

    Unlikely cases are improper soil or over fertilized or under fertilized soil (Pothos tend to express it differently in my experience but your mileage might vary). Additional unlikely cases are temperature and overgrown its pot (based on your feedback to Zweibel, I understand that’s not the case).

    Watering is tricky because if I see the plant reacting negatively to a different problem, I tend to over-water it and now the plant has two problems, which I tend to keep over-watering it hoping that will solve it all. Run the checklist and also try switching its place.

    • cabbage@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      3·
      14 days ago

      Thanks - that’s a super useful check list. I think I’ll get some porous stones and re-pot. I’ll also move it away from the window to a place with more indirect light, and try to collect some rainwater. :)

      • massive_bereavement@fedia.io
        5·
        14 days ago

        I made a crude diagram, but probably you can try easier options before doing any of these things:

        • Soil cover is only useful (beyond aesthetics) if you’re experiencing issues with the top soil or if it is drying too quickly due to direct sun exposition. (I don’t think this is related).
        • Soil aeration can help you soil become healthier with good bacteria, but if your soil mix is good enough it shouldn’t matter (and Pothos are not that picky IMO).
        • Volcanic rocks are layered enough that if you over-water, let’s say an inch, the plant soil won’t become soaked. It also has the bonus of having some emergency water for plants in some cases. The main con is that it reduces soil for your plants. Allegedly, it provides minerals for plants, but IMO that’s wishful thinking.
        • Drainage is a good learning method, as if the tray has water (again IMO), it means we’re over-watering.

        Maybe someone can correct any of these points and I can improve my caring.