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Pothos — common problems

Find the symptom you're seeing for the likely cause and fix.

Yellow leaves

Likely cause: Overwatering or low fertility; direct sun.

Fix: Let soil dry between waterings; feed houseplant fertilizer every other month in spring/summer; move out of direct sun.

Brown leaf tips

Likely cause: Low humidity or too much light intensity.

Fix: Keep humidity around 50-70%; give bright indirect light only.

Root rot / wilting

Likely cause: Overwatering or poorly draining soil.

Fix: Use airy, well-draining mix; let soil dry completely between waterings; repot if roots are dark and mushy.

Pests (spider mites, mealybugs)

Likely cause: Common indoor pest infestation.

Fix: Inspect regularly; treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

Source: extension care guide. Symptoms often overlap — match the conditions (light, watering, humidity) to your situation.

Other houseplants

Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)5 issuesSnake Plant (Sansevieria)4 issuesFiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)4 issuesPeace Lily5 issuesSpider Plant4 issuesZZ Plant2 issues

General care guidance from university extension sources — not a substitute for diagnosing your specific plant and conditions. How this works.