If you love gardening, chances are you might have a house plant or two. House plants provide us with companionship; they improve air quality and offer stress-relieving qualities.
According to reports, the global lawn and gardening consumables market was valued at $19.50 billion in 2019.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is among the most popular house plants. It’s easy to grow, can tolerate low light and infrequent watering, making it an excellent addition to your apartment or office! They also happen to be very tolerant of novice growers.
Although Pothos are pretty tough – they’re still at risk for some problems. Here are some common insects that can be eating the leaves of your Pothos.
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Mealybugs
Mealybugs are sap-sucking insects that look like little tufts of cotton. They can cause yellowing, wilting, and dropping of leaves. They’re tough to see until they reach plague levels.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are arachnids (duh) related to spiders and ticks. They look like tiny moving dots on the undersides of leaves.
Spider mites eat by piercing plant cells with their mouthparts and sucking out the contents.
Scales
Scales are small insects, related to mealybugs and aphids, that cling tightly to the stem or underside of leaves with their piercing mouthparts. They produce honeydew – an essential source of food for ants.
Aphids
If you are wondering what is eating the leaves of your Pothos, aphids could be the answer. Aphids are sap-sucking insects that grow in clusters. They feed on plant stem juices, leaf veins, and new growth, causing stunting or wilting of leaves.
Look for sticky honeydew deposits on your plant’s leaves before you see them!
Thrips
Thrips are minuscule insects that feed on the undersides of leaves, causing silvering, streaking, and spotting.
FAQs About Pothos Maintenance
The Plant Seems to Be Wilting Sometimes, Even When You Water It. What’s Going On?
Potentially too much sun or not enough light, but also check for root rot. Remove the Pothos from its pot and check for any mushy roots, slimy residue in the soil, or a rotten smell. If you notice these things, your plant might be suffering from root rot.
Try moving it somewhere shadier, and use this pothos root rot treatment guide to get rid of the problem for good!
The Leaves are Drooping/Falling Off, Even Though The Plant Is Getting Enough Water. What’s Going on?
Potentially underwatering or root rot, but also check for over-watering. If your plant is drooping or falling leaves, try giving it less water.
If the problem continues after cutting back on watering, remove your plant from its pot and look for mushy roots. You can try using a root stimulant, or another option is to cut the plant back to the soil and let it dry out for a few days.
Then replant it in fresh potting soil and water once a week until you notice the wilting or dropping leaves stop!
The Leaves Are Brown At The Tips, But The Rest Of The Leaf Is Still Green. What’s Going on?
Overwatering! Make sure you aren’t watering it too much – stick to once a week, and if it’s been unusually warm or dry outside, try to water even less often. It might be root rot if leaves are wilting or dropping even when you cut back on watering.
You must take your plant out of the pot and check for mushy roots; try using a root stimulant or drying it out in a pot that allows drainage, then replanting in new soil.
