AdewebsThe last time I brought Money Plant (Pothos) I noticed something was not right with the plant. As It sat proudly in an old ceramic pot on the edge of my kitchen window, its heart-shaped leaves spilling over like a waterfall of green. At the time, I thought it was a plant that took care of itself. I figured, “Just water it once in a while, and it will do its thing.” But after a few weeks, yellow leaves started creeping in. Then brown tips. Then a weird little pest party. That’s when I learned that even hardy plants have their quirks, and knowing how to handle common pothos problems can make all the difference between a drooping vine and a lush green curtain.
If you’ve ever been excited about growing a money plant indoors, only to be stumped by sudden leaf drop or a plant that looks like it’s sulking, you’re not alone. Many growers assume pothos is bulletproof. In truth, it’s forgiving but not invincible. Its vines are like quiet friends who thrive on a little bit of care, attention, and a pinch of observation. Once you understand what it’s telling you, it becomes one of the easiest plants to keep happy. This guide is my honest take as someone who has grown and nursed many pothos back to life.
And here’s the funny bit: I used to think I had “bad luck” with indoor plants. But pothos taught me that most plant problems aren’t curses — they’re signals. The leaf colors, the spots, the curling, the droopiness — they’re all hints about what’s going on under the soil or in the air. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea if that’s your thing) and settle in. Let’s talk about what might be going wrong with your money plant, how to fix it, and how to stop it from happening again.
10 Money Plant (Pothos) Problems and How to Treat Them
1. Yellowing Leaves – The Silent Cry for Balance
One of the most common pothos problems is yellow leaves. People panic and think the plant is dying, but it’s usually trying to tell you something about water or light. Overwatering leads to soggy roots that can’t breathe. Underwatering leaves the plant gasping for moisture. The tricky part is pothos looks similar in both cases. My trick? Stick a finger an inch into the soil. If it’s wet, hold off watering. If it’s bone dry, give it a drink. Simple, right?
Another sneaky reason for yellowing leaves is poor light. A pothos shoved in a dark corner will stretch and lose color. It prefers bright, indirect light. Think of it like you would a pet that wants to be near you but not in the blazing sun. Adjusting the plant’s position often revives the color in weeks.
2. Brown Tips – Not Just a Cosmetic Issue
Ever noticed crispy brown tips on your pothos leaves? This is a biggie. It looks minor but points to something deeper. Brown tips often show up because of low humidity or a buildup of salts from tap water. I’ve seen folks blame themselves, but it’s rarely about neglect. Sometimes it’s just the air in your room being too dry or the water being too hard.
What I do is flush the soil with filtered water every couple of months. This washes away the excess salts and gives the roots a fresh start. If your house feels dry, especially during heating season, group your pothos with other plants or set it near a tray of water to boost humidity. A tiny change can make those crispy tips disappear and bring back that glossy look.
3. Drooping or Wilting Vines – A Plant in Distress
You walk in and your pothos looks like it’s had a long night out. Vines drooping, leaves limp. This happens for two main reasons: thirsty roots or roots suffocating in wet soil. It’s a fine line, and the only way to know is to check the soil. In my own experience, lifting the pot can tell you a lot. If it feels light, water is overdue. If it feels heavy and soggy, hold off.
Sometimes droopiness also comes from a pot that’s too small. When the roots have no more space, the plant stalls and sulks. Repotting into a slightly bigger container with fresh soil works wonders. It’s like giving your plant new shoes with room to wiggle its toes.
4. Pests – The Uninvited Guests
Nothing ruins a morning like finding tiny critters on your pothos. Spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids all love those tender leaves. They sneak in, multiply, and before you know it, your money plant is a buffet. If you spot sticky residue, webbing, or cottony patches, that’s your clue.
My go-to remedy is a gentle spray of soapy water or neem oil. Do it once a week until you see no more bugs. Keep the plant isolated if you can, so the pests don’t spread to your other green babies. Regularly wiping leaves with a damp cloth also helps keep pests at bay and makes the plant look polished without any fancy sprays.
5. Leggy Growth – Reaching for the Light
Another one of those common pothos problems is vines that grow long but with small, far-apart leaves. This is the plant’s way of saying, “I need more light!” It stretches like a kid reaching for a cookie jar. Move it to a brighter spot and pinch back the vines to encourage bushier growth.
I’ve also found that feeding the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season perks it up. It’s like giving your pothos a hearty breakfast after a long night. Within weeks, you’ll see thicker foliage and happier vines.
6. Root Rot – The Hidden Threat
Root rot is pothos’ silent enemy. It happens when soil stays wet for too long. The roots suffocate, turn mushy, and can’t deliver nutrients to the leaves. By the time you see major symptoms up top, the damage below may be advanced.
If you suspect root rot, take the plant out of its pot, trim away the black mushy roots, and repot into fresh, well-draining soil. I’ve saved many pothos this way. It’s nerve-wracking, but seeing the plant bounce back makes it worth it.
7. Variegation Fading – Losing Its Unique Look
Some pothos varieties have beautiful variegation — creamy white or golden streaks on green leaves. When the plant doesn’t get enough light, those streaks fade to plain green. It’s not sick; it’s just adapting. But if you want to keep the fancy colors, give it a brighter spot without direct sun.
Cutting back the all-green vines also helps the variegated ones dominate. It’s a bit like pruning a fruit tree to encourage the tastier branches. A little tough love keeps the plant’s look vibrant.
8. “Does It Shed?” – Understanding Normal Leaf Drop
Many new plant owners worry when pothos drops a leaf or two. It’s natural for older leaves near the base to yellow and fall off. That’s just the plant replacing old growth with new. It’s only a problem if lots of leaves drop at once or if new growth stops entirely.
Think of it like a haircut — a little trimming is normal, a sudden bald patch is not. As long as new leaves keep coming, your plant is healthy. Keeping an eye on watering, light, and feeding will minimize leaf loss.
9. Brown Spots and Patches – Spotting the Difference
Sometimes you’ll see irregular brown patches or spots on leaves. This is often confused with brown tips. While tips are about salts or humidity, brown patches can mean fungal or bacterial issues. Overhead watering, poor air circulation, and wet leaves create a playground for disease.
My simple fix? Water at the soil level, not on the leaves. Remove affected foliage and let the plant dry out a bit. Improving airflow by giving the plant space also helps. In my barn, I once moved a pothos from a cramped shelf to an airy spot, and within a month, the new leaves were spotless.
10. Propagation Problems – When Cuttings Don’t Root
Pothos is famous for easy propagation, but sometimes cuttings just rot instead of rooting. This happens when water is stagnant or the cutting has no node. Always snip below a node, place it in clean water, and refresh the water every few days. You’ll see roots in two to three weeks if conditions are right.
Once rooted, plant them in fresh soil and keep them lightly moist. Don’t overwater young cuttings. They’re like toddlers — a little attention goes a long way.
Extra Tips for a Thriving Money Plant
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Use a well-draining soil mix. Adding perlite or coco coir prevents soggy roots.
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Fertilize lightly during spring and summer, then ease up in winter.
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Rotate the pot every couple of weeks to ensure even growth on all sides.
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Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep dust off. Clean leaves breathe better.
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If you’re shopping for new plants, look for healthy, pest-free stock. Many suppliers now offer multicolor celosia flats for sale as companions for indoor spaces, but always inspect plants before bringing them home.
A Relatable Scenario
Let me share a small story. A neighbor once handed me a pothos cutting in a mason jar, saying, “This plant never dies.” I placed it on a shelf above my sink and forgot about it. Weeks later, the water was murky, roots were mushy, and the leaves were drooping like wet paper. I felt guilty. But instead of tossing it, I trimmed the rotted parts, refreshed the water, and later planted it in soil. A few months down the line, that same plant is now trailing six feet down my kitchen cabinet, green and glorious. It taught me pothos is forgiving if you give it a chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my pothos leaves curling?
This usually means the plant is stressed from underwatering, low humidity, or too much fertilizer. Fixing the underlying cause brings the leaves back to normal.
How often should I repot my money plant?
Every 1–2 years is fine. Repot when roots start circling the pot or pushing out of the drainage holes.
Can I grow pothos in water permanently?
Yes, but it needs regular water changes and occasional feeding. Plants in soil usually grow faster, though.
Do pothos purify the air?
They help remove some indoor pollutants, but not enough to rely on them alone. Think of it as a bonus, not a solution.
What’s the ideal temperature range?
Anywhere from 60–85°F works. Avoid sudden cold drafts.
Bringing It All Together
A money plant, or pothos, isn’t just décor. It’s a living thing with its own rhythms. Once you know the signs — yellow leaves, brown tips, droopy vines, pests, or fading variegation — you can step in and fix the problem before it gets serious. Most common pothos problems are preventable with a little observation and patience.
Over the years, I’ve come to see my pothos as more than vines in a pot. They’re a gentle reminder that even easy plants need care. They’re also a testament to resilience. If you’ve got one looking sad right now, don’t lose hope. Trim, repot, adjust the light, flush the soil, or fight off pests. It will bounce back.
And when it does, those glossy leaves and trailing vines will feel like a quiet victory. You’ll look at it and think, “We did it.” Isn’t that one of the best feelings about growing plants?
