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Pothos, or Epipremnum Aureum to give its scientific name, is native to moist tropical and sub-tropical regions in New Guinea and Southeast Asia, so it likes humidity levels of at least fifty percent.
Should you misted Pothos? Does Pothos like to misted? Read on to find out more.
Misting temporarily increases the humidity in the air around the plant, but only for a minimal time before it evaporates. Pothos plants does not need to be misted but may enjoy it occasionally.
Misting Pothos is a controversial topic. Those in favor say misting is healthy, raising humidity levels around the plant and cleaning the leaves. Those against point out that not all tropical plants live in steaming jungles. They say misting increases the risk of fungal disease and pests in Pothos.
Does Pothos Like To Be Misted?
Misting is a pleasant and refreshing way to interact with your Pothos. However, it will not make much of a difference to overall humidity levels unless you do it constantly with an automated system such as you might find in a greenhouse or nursery.
The joy of having a Pothos is living with it in your home, and it does not require greenhouse conditions.
Should You Mist Pothos Plants?
Should you mist your Pothos plant? The answer is you can, but you might do more harm than good if the humidity level is already high enough. Many people say that Pothos doesn’t like its leaves being wet all the time.
In a dry climate, where the indoor humidity regularly drops below fifty percent, misting is a way to boost the moisture around the plant for a short while. Still, there are other better, more long-lasting methods like humidifiers and water-filled pebble trays.
Misting is not a good way to maintain healthy humidity levels. If you live in a warm, humid climate, misting your Pothos may be inadvisable due to the increased risk of fungal growth, insect infestations, and molds.
Do You Need To Mist Pothos?
No, technically speaking, you don’t need to mist Pothos, especially if the humidity levels are constantly fifty percent or higher. In an arid climate, misting the leaves may provide some temporary relief, but it won’t be enough to keep the humidity levels at the required fifty percent.
You may also want to mist the leaves occasionally to wash off any accumulated dust, but then you also need to wipe them down. Pothos does not absorb water through its leaves – this is the function of its roots.
The Benefits of Misting Your Pothos
The benefits of occasionally misting your Pothos are that it can wash the dust from the leaves and stems and provide some cooling refreshment.
You can also use a mister to remove insect pests by mixing the water with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Misting and wiping the leaves can eliminate spider mites before they become an infestation.
When To Mist Your Pothos?
You should mist your Pothos if the leaves are looking a bit dusty. You can mist it a bit more often than in the rainy season in dry weather.
Some areas have winter rainfall while some have summer rainfall, so you need to be aware of seasonal humidity levels. Climates that have summer rainfall are generally drier in winter and vice versa.
If you use air conditioners in warm weather, they tend to dry out the air indoors, so you can mist your plant once a week.
If you use radiators or indoor heating in winter, this dries out the air too, so you can also mist weekly. Do not mist your Pothos if it looks sick.
How Often Should I Mist Pothos Plant?
How often to mist your Pothos plant depends on its environment. If the humidity levels are adequate, you can mist it once every two weeks to a month to clean off the dust. You could mist once a week in dry months, but you will still have to water the plant more frequently.
If humidity levels are too low, misting may provide temporary refreshment but won’t be sufficient to raise them, and you will have to use other humidification methods.
If the leaf tips are turning brown, curling, or yellowing, this is a sign of inadequate humidity, and it cannot be remedied by misting.
If the top layer of the substrate is dry but the lower layers are still moist, you can mist the upper surface around the plant for a little extra boost.
Just remember that Pothos does not like to be over-watered. You can mist once every two or three days in dry climates, but you must get the ambient humidity level sorted.
Is Misting Good For Pothos
Misting Pothos is at most refreshing, but not much more. Its benefits are therefore limited. If the leaf surfaces look a bit dry and dusty, your Pothos may appreciate a light misting and the extra attention from you.
Why Would You Mist Your Pothos?
Because misting temporarily increases the humidity around your plant and cleans the leaves allowing them to breathe a little better, but to remove all the dust, you must wipe them down. If humidity levels are adequate, you don’t have to mist the plant.
Do Pothos Like Humidity?
The answer is, yes but not too much. To measure the humidity levels in the room where you keep your plant, you can buy an inexpensive hygrometer that will tell you the exact percentage of moisture in the air.
Pothos likes humidity levels of fifty percent or a bit higher, but if they are too high, you risk fungal outbreaks.
How To Increase Humidity For A Pothos Plant
If the humidity level is constantly too low, you need to buy a humidifier. If it is seasonal, you could leave a few shallow water-filled bowls around the room to evaporate in the dry air. To increase the evaporation rate, place the bowls near a heater if the weather is cold.
You may want to buy a misting fan for the room that emits a fine water spray to refresh you and your Pothos in hot and dry conditions. Just don’t place the Pothos directly in the air current or a draughty area.
Another solution is to place the plant pot in a pebble tray filled with water. The base of the pot must not be directly in the water. It must sit on the pebbles or stones in the tray above the water level.
Cons For Misting Your Pothos
Misting your Pothos could attract pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. They are sap suckers and cause stunted growth. Don’t mist if you see them on the plant or the leaves have yellow or black spots.
Investigate the problem and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to get rid of them first. Very moist conditions also spark fungal overgrowth. Misting the leaves will further stimulate the fungus if it is a fungal infection.
If I Mist My Pothos, Do I Still Need To Water It?
Misting is no substitute for watering your Pothos. The plant absorbs water through its roots, not its leaves.
However, you must not water a Pothos too often because it will develop root rot and die if the substrate is always saturated.
Conclusion
Pothos does not need misting to thrive. However, in dry and dusty conditions, it may appreciate a light misting from time to time. Misting is not a solution for insufficient humidity levels as its effects are short-lived.