Pothos plants have the scientific name Epipremnum aureum and are a species in the arum family Araceae. They are native to Moorea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.
Many people love to grow this plant in their homes or offices because of its lush beauty. The leaves with special patches of color create an impressive beauty of pothos plants. This plant is relatively easy to grow and care for.
However, you will probably face one problem in pothos plants care, which is how to protect them during the winter. Can pothos survive winter? What are the ideal weather conditions for caring for this plant during the winter? How to keep pothos plants healthy during cold days? Learn about ways to keep plants safe through the winter with us.
How Much Cold Can Pothos Tolerate?
Most plants face many problems during winter. In winter, low temperatures, cold, and frost make it very difficult for many plants to sustain life. Pothos plants too. They will also face many problems when the temperature is low and cold in winter.
However, pothos plants can still survive the winter if they are protected from cold and harsh weather. This plant prefers warm temperatures around 70-90°F (21-32°C). They also like indirect light and occasional watering, so it’s a good idea to grow them indoors for temperature control in the winter.
Here are some ways that can help you maintain the vitality and beauty of your pothos plants throughout the winter.
Maintain Ideal Temperature
Pothos plants can survive the frigid conditions of winter at temperatures around 50°F (10°C). However, this tropical plant will grow and maintain its lush beauty in temperatures around 70-90°F (21-32°C).
Therefore, to protect pothos plants in the cold weather of winter, you should place the potted plant indoors or in a closed room. Make sure not to place them in windy or freezing places on cold days.
You should also avoid placing the potted plant in areas with hot winter temperatures such as fireplaces or radiators. Because the temperature is too hot will also cause the pothos plant to die or heat shock due to sudden temperature change. Therefore, you should place the potted plant 10-12 inches away from heat sources to maintain a warm temperature for this plant.
Provide Indirect Light
Pothos plants prefer indirect sunlight every day to promote photosynthesis and metabolism. In winter, when the sun becomes less, you should place the potted plant in an area with indirect sunlight for a few hours a day.
Sunshine not only helps pothos plants promote photosynthesis, but also healthier. This plant can still survive in low light and revive when temperatures warm on sunny days again.
However, if pothos plants do not receive enough light, their stems will become long and weak. They will grow droopy and lifeless throughout the winter. Varieties with variegated leaves can lose many of their colorful patterns.
Alternatively, you can also use lamps to provide indirect light for pothos plants and maintain a warm temperature. The light and heat emitted from the bulb also help the pothos plants avoid the cold in the winter.
Read more: Do Pothos Like Direct Sunlight? Right Amount Of Light You Need To Know
Avoid Frequent Watering
Pothos plants are native to the tropics, so you need to water them during the growing season like summer and spring. Watering frequency is about once a week or every two weeks depending on weather conditions.
However, in winter, plants will limit their use of water and nutrients to grow. Instead, they will enter a dormant period and remain there until the next growing season. You just need to pay attention to the soil moisture in the pot to water at the right time.
You should only water every 2-4 weeks if the soil in the pot is dry. If you’re placing the pot next to a heat source like a heater or radiator, you’ll need to water it when the soil dries out. To keep pothos plants healthy and full of life, you need to maintain moisture in the soil for them.
Signs of excessive watering will appear on the leaves of the plant. They will turn yellow, and brown or appear as brown spots on the leaves. Stop watering and allow the soil to dry by placing it in the sun or a heat source.
Prepare Everything Before Winter Comes
Pothos plants will remain healthy and lush with good care and preparation when winter comes. Therefore, you need to take measures to promote plant growth from the fall and prepare for winter health. Only if your plants are healthy, pest free, and have good vitality can they withstand the harshness of winter weather.
Here are some notes that you need to make for pothos plants to prepare for winter.
- Get rid of yellow or brown leaves because they will also fall off in winter.
- Fertilize pothos plants.
- Use a liquid or slow-release fertilizer to provide nutrients to your plants before winter arrives.
- Fertilize according to the dosage recommended by the manufacturer on the package. Avoid over-fertilizing which will cause the plants to die due to excessive stress.
- Change pot new pots to stimulate plant growth when spring arrives.
- You should change pot plants every 2-3 years with a larger size of 2-3 inches to create more space and stimulate the growth of new branches.
- Check the drainage holes to avoid clogging when watering in the winter.
- Repotting should only be done in the fall and not carry out plant displacement in the winter. Let the pothos plants hibernate and not cause any damage to them.
Summary
Pothos plants can survive the winter if you protect them from frost and freezing. The ideal temperature for the growth of this plant is 70-90°F (21-32°C). This plant can live outside in the winter as long as you can maintain a warm temperature for them. However, it is best to plant them in pots and move them indoors when winter comes.
To keep pothos plants alive throughout the winter, you need to maintain a warm temperature, not over water, provide indirect light and fertilize from fall to maintain vitality.
The most important thing is to protect them from cold winds and freezing because they will not be able to respawn after freezing. Do not forget to fertilize in the fall to maintain the healthy state of the plants when winter comes.