What Are the Benefits of a Pothos Plant?
Discover how this resilient houseplant contributes to a healthier indoor environment and enhances your living space with minimal effort from its owner.
The Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum, is a common houseplant, valued for its attractive appearance and for being easy to maintain. This makes it a go-to choice for both new and experienced gardeners. Many owners acquire this plant for its decorative qualities, but soon discover it offers a range of other advantages to an indoor environment.
Air Purifying Qualities
One of the most discussed benefits of the pothos is its capacity to improve indoor air quality. Research conducted by NASA in the 1980s identified that certain houseplants could absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Pothos was noted for its ability to remove specific airborne toxins, including formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
These VOCs are released from a variety of everyday items. Formaldehyde can be present in products like plywood, foam insulation, and some paper goods. Benzene is often found in plastics, fabrics, and pesticides, while xylene is a solvent used in products like paints, varnishes, and rubber.
While a single plant won’t transform the air in a large room, studies suggest that having several plants can help reduce these pollutants. The process, known as phytoremediation, involves the plant taking in pollutants and breaking them down into harmless substances. This natural air-filtering capability contributes to the plant’s popularity.
Enhancing Home and Office Ambiance
The presence of plants indoors is linked to a greater sense of well-being, a concept connected to biophilia. Having greenery like pothos in a room can help reduce stress and promote a calmer atmosphere. Studies have shown that interacting with houseplants can lower physiological stress markers, such as blood pressure, creating a more relaxing environment for work or daily life.
Beyond the psychological effects, pothos offers distinct aesthetic advantages. Its heart-shaped leaves, sometimes variegated with yellow or white, and lush, trailing vines provide a versatile decorative element. The vining nature allows it to be displayed in hanging baskets, on top of shelves, or trained to grow upwards on a support. This ability to brighten a space and introduce a natural element makes it a favored choice for interior decorating.
A Beginner-Friendly and Resilient Plant
One of the most practical benefits of owning a pothos is its resilience and minimal care requirements. This forgiving plant is an ideal choice for individuals who are new to gardening or have a busy lifestyle. It can tolerate a wide spectrum of lighting conditions, from bright, indirect sunlight to lower-light areas. While its growth may be slower in dimmer settings, it remains a healthy and attractive plant.
The pothos is also tolerant of infrequent watering. A good practice is to allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely before watering again, which typically means watering only once every one to two weeks. This tolerance helps prevent one of the most common issues for new plant owners: overwatering.
The plant is easy to propagate, allowing owners to create new plants at no cost. Taking a stem cutting with a few leaves and placing it in a jar of water is all that is needed to start a new plant. Roots will typically begin to emerge from the submerged nodes within a few weeks, after which the new cutting can be planted in soil. This process allows owners to easily expand their collection or share with friends and family.