Pothos, also known as Epipremnum aureum or devil’s ivy, is one of the most popular and easy to care for houseplants. With its trailing vine-like stems and heart-shaped leaves, pothos can help add a lush, tropical feel to any space. But sometimes pothos leaves can look a little sparse or leggy, and you may be wondering how to make your pothos look fuller and more vibrant. The good news is that with a few simple tips and tricks, you can give your pothos the care and conditions it needs to fill out beautifully.

Provide Bright, Indirect Light

Light is one of the most important factors in helping pothos leaves grow large and plentiful. Pothos prefer bright, indirect sunlight.

Here are some tips for lighting:

Place pothos near an east, west, or south facing window. North facing windows are often too dim.
Filter bright light with sheers or blinds to prevent leaf scorching.
Avoid direct hot midday sun which can burn leaves.
Supplement with artificial lighting if needed. Grow lights or fluorescent bulbs a few inches above the plant help compensate for low natural light.

Getting the lighting right encourages pothos leaves to grow broader and develop more vibrant variegation. Insufficient light leads to small, sparse foliage. Monitor your pothos and adjust the lighting as needed to keep the leaves full and lush.

Use the Right Potting Mix

To support lush foliage growth, pothos need a well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture but also provides aeration for the roots. Here are some tips for the right potting medium:

Use a general houseplant potting mix, or create your own mix with ingredients like peat moss, compost, perlite or bark chips.
Avoid dense, moisture-retentive potting soil blends which can lead to root rot.
Add perlite, pumice, or orchid bark to improve drainage and aeration. About 20-30% of total mix.
Potting mixes tailored for epiphytic plants like orchids also work well for pothos.

A quality potting mix ensures the roots have access to both moisture and oxygen. This supports optimal growth for fuller, lusher pothos foliage.

Water Thoroughly When Soil is Partly Dry

Pothos prefer a consistently moist but not soggy soil environment. Allow the top inch or two of potting mix to dry out between waterings. Then give the plant a thorough soaking until water drains from the drainage holes.

Here are some tips for watering pothos properly:

Water once a week on average, more often in hotter conditions. Adjust as needed based on your environment.
Always check soil moisture by sticking a finger in the mix before watering. Only water when partly dry.
Water deeply until it runs out the bottom. Avoid just superficial watering which encourages shallow roots.
Let excess water drain fully from drainage holes. Empty any outer decorative containers of excess water.

Plants with too-dry or waterlogged roots won’t be able to absorb nutrients effectively. Monitoring soil moisture and watering properly prevents these issues for the healthiest growth.

Increase Humidity

Pothos naturally grow in tropical environments with ample humidity. In our homes, lower humidity levels can result in dry air and crispy leaf edges. Boosting humidity helps the leaves remain perky.

Some ways to increase humidity for pothos:

Use a pebble tray – place pebbles and water in a tray, set the pot on top. The water evaporates providing humidity.
Misting leaves occasionally with a spray bottle.
Run a humidifier nearby.
Group plants together to create a localized humid zone.

Aim to maintain 40% to 60% relative humidity around your pothos. Increased humidity prevents moisture loss through the leaves, supporting plump, lush foliage.

Fertilize Regularly During Growth Periods

Feeding pothos with a balanced liquid fertilizer gives them an extra nutrient boost for abundant growth.

Here are some tips for fertilizing:

Use a houseplant or balanced all-purpose fertilizer. Dilute to half or quarter strength.
Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the active growing spring through summer months.
Cut back to monthly or biweekly in fall and winter when growth slows.
Flush soil periodically with plain water to avoid buildup.

With the right fertilizing routine, your pothos will have all the nutrients it needs for full, vigorous foliage development.

Prune to Encourage Bushy Growth

Judicious pruning is an important part of keeping pothos full and lush looking. Pruning stimulates branching and fullness.

Here’s how to prune strategically:

Trim off any excessively long, sparse stems to encourage branching and fullness lower on the stem.
Remove any leaves or stems that are fully yellowed, wilted, or dying back to keep the plant tidy.
Prune away stems growing erratically outside the potting container to guide the plant’s shape.
Cutting stems back halfway or 2/3rds of the way induces new leaf and stem growth from the pruning point.

Pruning pothos fuller more often when they are young helps develop a compact, bushy habit. But even mature plants benefit from occasional shaping and renewal pruning.

Change Out Potting Containers Periodically

As pothos plants grow over time, they can sometimes outgrow their potting container. Roots filling the pot or becoming pot bound can inhibit lush growth.

Here are signs it’s time for a bigger pot:

Significant growth slowing down.
Roots visible protruding from drainage holes or crowding the surface of the potting mix.
Leaves yellowing or wilting as the roots struggle to take up moisture.
Soil drying out very rapidly between waterings.

When pot bound, repot in a container one to two sizes larger. Use fresh potting mix to encourage new root growth. This stimulates new, vigorous foliage and helps revive sparse or leggy plants.

Propagate to Fill Out Existing Plants

An easy, fun way to fill out existing pothos plants is propagation. Growing pothos from cuttings is simple:

Take 4-6 inch stem tip cuttings. Each should have 3-4 leaves.
Remove the lowest set of leaves and place the cut end in water or moist potting mix.
Roots and new leaves will begin forming within a couple weeks. Establish the new plants in potting mix.

Once rooted, the new plants can be placed back in the same pot to quickly fill it out. Or use propagated plants in planters, hanging baskets, or as tabletop plants.

Taking cuttings from long, sparse stems and replacing them with the lush new growth is an effective way to rejuvenate overgrown plants.

Provide Support for Optimal Growth

In their native tropical habitats, pothos vines climb and trail over trees and rock surfaces. Providing some type of support structure helps stimulate optimal vining growth.

Some options for supporting pothos include:

Trellises or small obelisks within the pot for the vines to climb.
Moss poles create a natural looking support the roots can grip.
Attaching vines to wood or stone with soft plant ties. Avoid wire or metal stakes.
Allowing long stems to trail from hanging baskets or high shelves.

As pothos are able to climb or trail, their stems lengthen and leaf size increases significantly for a dramatic, full look.

Correct Underlying Environmental Issues

Sometimes pothos leaves can become sparse or fail to grow lush for reasons other than just insufficient lighting, watering, or nutrients. Environmental stresses are common causes of lackluster foliage growth.

Here are some potential issues to check for:

Low temperatures – Pothos prefer warm conditions between 60°F to 85°F. Avoid drafty locations which can cause leaf drop.
Pests – Inspect closely for signs of infestations like spider mites, mealybugs, or fungus gnats which can weaken plants. Isolate and treat any affected plants.
Root disturbances – Root damage from repotting, or transplant shock can inhibit growth temporarily. Leave plants alone until they recover.
Tap water chemicals – Chlorine and fluorine in tap water may cause leaf burn or spotting if allowed to accumulate. Let water sit out overnight before using.

Addressing any environmental stressors helps clear the way for lush, vibrant pothos foliage.

Be Patient!

Finally, be patient! Achieving a fuller pothos takes time and consistent care. Follow these tips, but allow your plant to grow and fill out over weeks and months. With the right conditions pothos will flourish, but growth happens slowly. Maintain your care routine and you will be rewarded with gorgeous, abundant foliage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Pothos Fuller

Pothos are incredibly popular houseplants, appreciated for their easy care, vining growth habit, and ability to help purify indoor air. But their leaves can sometimes look sparse. Here are answers to some common questions about getting your pothos to grow fuller and more abundant.

How long does it take for pothos cuttings to root?

Pothos cuttings are typically easy to root and should show signs of new growth in 2-6 weeks. Place cut ends in water or moist potting mix. Root initials will emerge from nodes along the stem. Eventually a dense mat of white roots will form. When there is a robust root system, plant the cuttings in potting mix. Entire process usually takes 4-8 weeks.

How do I make my pothos bushier?

For a bushier pothos, prune back long, sparse stems by half or two-thirds. This encourages new shoots to emerge from the pruning point. Prune strategically to shape the plant and maintain compact growth. Propagating by cuttings and filling out the pot also creates a bushy effect. Provide proper lighting and rotate the plant periodically for even growth all around.

Why are my pothos leaves so small?

Insufficient lighting is the most common reason for small pothos leaves. Pothos need bright, filtered light to thrive. Low light causes sparse, stunted foliage. Try moving the plant to a location with an east, south or west window. Leave in lower light during winter months when plants grow more slowly. Supplement with a grow light if needed. Proper watering and fertilization also minimize small leaves.

How do I get my pothos to trail?

Pothos naturally trail as vines in the wild. Encourage trailing by providing vertical support. Allow vines to climb moss poles, trellises, shelves, or cascade from hanging pots. Removing the lowest leaves gives stems more length to trail down. Keep soil moist and avoid disturbing the roots. The long vines will continue to grow leaves, becoming lush and full.

Why are my pothos leaves curling?

If pothos leaves are curling or drooping it usually indicates a moisture issue. Overwatering can cause leaves to yellow and roots to rot. Underwatering makes leaves curl and whither from dehydration. Check soil moisture before watering and only water when partly dry. Increase humidity for the air if leaves are curling due to excessive transpiration moisture loss. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging the roots.

Can pothos survive in low light?

Pothos can tolerate low light conditions better than many other houseplants. However, they will not thrive and grow optimally without enough light. In low light, the stems stretch out and leaves remain small and sparse. Some varieties may lose variegation. Low light during winter months is expected. But provide the brightest light possible year round for lush growth. Supplement with artificial lighting when needed.

Why are my pothos stems so long?

Long, stretched out stems with sparse leaves often indicates the pothos is searching for light. Insufficient lighting triggers phototropism, making the stems elongate trying to reach better light conditions. Move the pothos closer to a sunny window or provide grow lights to shorten node spacing. Prune back some of the leggy stems and propagate the cuttings to generate bushier regrowth.

How often should pothos be fertilized?

Fertilize pothos every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season in spring and summer. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength. In fall and winter as growth naturally slows, fertilize monthly or every 6-8 weeks. Stop fertilizing if plant appears stressed. Overfertilization can cause leaf burn so flush soil periodically with plain water.

Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?

There are a few possible causes of pothos leaves turning yellow: overwatering, underwatering, aging leaves, and pests/disease. Overwatering is the most common reason, causing roots to rot and leaves to yellow. Allow soil to partly dry out before watering. Underwatering can also cause yellowing. Check for pests like spider mites. Older leaves naturally yellow and drop off over time. Remove any diseased leaves promptly.

How do I know when to repot my pothos?

Repot pothos when they become extremely root bound. Signs it’s time for a bigger pot include slowed growth, roots protruding from drainage holes, leaves yellowing or wilting as the roots struggle to take up moisture and soil drying out very quickly. Choose a pot one to two sizes larger and replant with fresh potting mix to stimulate new growth. Avoid frequent repotting which can shock the plant.

Conclusion

With the right care and growing conditions, it is definitely possible to get your pothos to grow into a beautiful, full houseplant. Focus on providing the basic needs – proper lighting, hydration, humidity, nutrition, and pruning. Fix any underlying issues causing stress. Then simply be patient and consistent! Keep up the care routine and your pothos will reward you by flourishing with abundant, heart-shaped leaves trailing gracefully. A lush, vivacious pothos can add a wonderful pop of green as well as help purify indoor air. Follow these tips and soon you’ll have the fuller pothos you’ve been wishing for.

How to Make a Pothos Fuller