The Growing Technique That'll Improve The Look Of Your Pothos Plants

Whether you're merely beginning your journey of being a houseplant parent or you're widely known for your green thumb, chances are you have a pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) somewhere in your house. After all, it is known as one of the easiest houseplants anyone can keep alive. It's low maintenance, able to thrive even with low light and dry soil. And with an abundance of shades and variegation, you can have a number of pothos plants without any of them looking the same.

Pothos typically are grown as hanging plants, adding lush greenery even to the smallest of living spaces that don't have floor space for planters. However, to improve the look — and even the health — of your pothos, try growing it upward. When grown in their natural habitat, pothos are instinctive climbers, moving toward sunlight. This means that growing one on a moss pole, trellis, or a similar vertical plant support system may actually produce a healthier plant than if it were left hanging. In fact, pothos leaves actually grow larger as they are exposed to more sunlight, as seen in a recent Instagram post by plant enthusiast @_wildfern of her marble queen pothos that's growing on a moss pole.

A moss pole is one of the most common solutions for supporting vining plants or those with weak stems. If you haven't used one, you may be wondering what is a moss pole and why should you add one to your houseplant? In essence, it's a moss-coated vertical structure that provides plants with support as they grow. Moss poles also can be misted with water to provide plants with moisture and humidity. They're readily available from nurseries and home improvement stores, but you can also DIY a Dollar Tree moss pole.

For a more decorative look — though without the additional moisture provided by moss poles — go with an option like this WellSign Indoor Plant Trellis or the Feitore Six-Piece Stackable Plant Trellis, which allows you to add more sections as your pothos lengthens. However, if your pothos outgrows these structures, consider ways to showcase your plant more dramatically. Use wall hooks to wind the pothos vines around the edges of the room or, more artistically, around picture frames, wall art, or a mirror. You also can transform the look of your staircase by weaving the vines through the poles of the staircase railing. 

As your pothos grows, keep in mind that if its vines are semi-permanently attached to a wall or other structure, you won't be able to easily move it around for watering or repotting. A good workaround is to keep your plant in a plastic pot with drainage holes. Also, it's a good idea to place that container inside a larger, decorative pot that will retain water.