How Much Light Does Pothos Need? (Solved!)

by Becky Decker · May 3, 2023

If you’re like most people, you probably think that all plants need lots of sunlight to grow. After all, plants are green and they need sunlight to photosynthesize, right? Wrong. Not all plants need full sun all day long to prosper. Some plants do just fine in low-light conditions. Pothos is one of those plants that attract everyone by their appearance. It is easy to grow plants that tend to thrive greatly in low-light environments.

Key takeaways:

Pothos tend to grow in bright sunlight to thrive well.

They need about 12 to 14 hours of sunlight a day.

They can suit best if you place them near the east-facing windows.

Make sure you are not giving oversupply of sunlight to your pothos as it can cause sunburn in the plant and even brown-colored leaves.

Let’s get started to know How Much Light Does Pothos Need? Stay connected with the guide.

Table of Contents

How Much Light Does Pothos Need?

Pothos are tropical plants that originated in the South Pacific. They are part of the Araceae family, which also includes anthuriums and philodendrons. Pothos are easy-to-grow houseplants and are known for their tolerance of low light conditions. However, they will thrive and produce more abundant growth in brighter conditions.

So how much light does a pothos need? While pothos can tolerate low light, they will do best in bright, indirect light. If you are growing pothos indoors, place them near a sunny window where they will receive plenty of indirect sunlight throughout the day. If you notice your pothos starting to stretch or become leggy, it is likely not receiving enough light.

Pothos are versatile plants and can be grown in a variety of lighting conditions. However, for the healthiest growth and most abundant foliage, aim to provide your pothos with bright, indirect light. Some of the things that you can do for increasing the sunlight possibilities of the pothos. They are as follows:

Artificial Pothos Light

Pothos plants are notoriously difficult to keep alive, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. Do you know How Much Light does Pothos need, one of the most important is to provide the right amount of light?

Artificial pothos light is one option that can be used to supplement the natural light that your plant receives. There are a few things to consider when choosing an artificial light source for your pothos.

The first is the intensity of the light. Pothos plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. This means that you’ll need an artificial light that is fairly strong, but not so strong that it will scorch your plant.

The second thing to consider is the type of light. Incandescent bulbs are not ideal for pothos plants, as they tend to produce too much heat. Fluorescent bulbs are a better option, as they emit a cooler, more diffuse light.

Finally, you’ll need to decide how long you want to keep your artificial light on. Pothos plants do best with 12-16 hours of light per day, so you’ll need to make sure your chosen bulb can provide this level of illumination.

Using a Lux Meter

As you probably know, Pothos is a type of low-light plant. This means that they don’t need very much light to survive and thrive. Too much light can be harmful to Pothos. So, how do you know how much light does Pothos need?

The best way to determine how much light your Pothos needs is to use a lux meter. A lux meter is a tool that measures the amount of light that is present in an area. You can find them at most hardware stores or online.

To use a lux meter, simply turn it on and hold it close to your Pothos plant. The reading on the Lux Meter will tell you how much light is present. If the number is below 50, then your Pothos is getting low light. If the number is between 50 and 100, then your Pothos is getting medium light. And if the number is over 100, then your Pothos is getting bright light.

Once you know how much light your Pothos needs like bamboo plant, you can adjust its location accordingly. If it’s getting too much light, move it to a darker spot. And if it’s not getting enough light, move it to a brighter spot.

Pothos Plant Care

Pothos plants are one of the easiest houseplants to care for. They are very tolerant of different light levels, making them ideal for a variety of locations in your home.

When it comes to pothos plant care, the most important thing to remember is that these plants like to climb. Provide them with a support structure such as a trellis or wire hanger, and they will quickly begin to grow up and around it. Regular pruning will help keep them under control and encourage new growth.

Pothos plants prefer bright, indirect light but can also tolerate lower light levels. If you are growing them indoors, place them near a window where they will receive plenty of indirect sunlight during the day. If you notice the leaves beginning to be yellow or pale, this is a sign that they are not getting enough light and you should move them to a brighter location.

Water your pothos plants when the top inch of soil is dry. Allow the water to thoroughly soak the roots before draining any excess water from the pot. These plants do not like to sit in soggy soil, so be sure not to overwater the pothos plants. Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring through summer).

No New Growth

If you notice that your pothos isn’t growing new leaves, it’s likely because it’s not getting enough light. Pothos is a low-light plant, so they don’t need bright, direct sunlight to thrive. However, they do need a few hours of indirect sunlight each day to grow new leaves.

If your pothos is not getting enough light, you may see the leaves turning yellow or brown and falling off the plant. If you think your pothos isn’t getting enough light, try moving it to a brighter spot in your home or office.

Abnormal Leaf Color

Pothos are known for their variegated, green leaves, but sometimes you may see a leaf that is entirely yellow, brown, or black.

This is usually a sign of too much or too little light. If your plant is getting too much light, the leaves will scorch and turn brown or black. If your plant isn’t getting enough light, the leaves will turn yellow.

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know that Pothos tend to grow in bright sunlight to thrive well. They need about 12 to 14 hours of sunlight a day. They can suit best if you place them near the east-facing windows. But make sure you are not giving oversupply of sunlight to your pothos as it can cause sunburn in the plant and even brown-colored leaves. Read the full guide for its proper understanding.

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening!

FAQ’s

1. Can pothos grow under LED lights?

Yes, pothos can grow under LED lights! LEDs are a great option for growing pothos because they emit very little heat and use very little energy. Here are a few things to keep in mind when growing pothos under LEDs:

– Choose an LED light that emits full-spectrum light, as this will provide the most similar light to natural sunlight.

– Place the LED light at least 12 inches (30 cm) above the pothos plant to prevent burning.

– Give the pothos plant 14-16 hours of light per day for best growth.

2. Does Pothos need full light?

Pothos need bright, indirect light to thrive. They will tolerate low light levels, but growth will be slow and leaves may become pale. If your pothos is not getting enough light, you may see the leaves start to yellow or develop brown spots.

If you think your pothos isn’t getting enough light, try moving it to a brighter spot. If that doesn’t help, you can try supplemental lighting with a grow light.

3. How little light can a pothos survive on?

Pothos are incredibly tolerant of low light conditions and can survive in environments with very little natural light. If you are considering growing pothos in a location that doesn’t receive a lot of sun, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, pothos will grow more slowly in low-light conditions. This means that you may not see as much new growth or vine length as you would if the plant was receiving more sunlight. Additionally, the leaves of pothos grown in low light may be smaller than those of the same plant grown in brighter conditions.

That said pothos can thrive in an environment with very little light. As long as the plant is getting some indirect light each day (from a nearby window, for example), it will be perfectly happy. Just be prepared for slower growth and smaller leaves if you do choose to grow your pothos in low light.

4. What window is best for pothos?

The best window for pothos is one that gets bright, indirect sunlight. Pothos can tolerate low light conditions, but will not thrive in them.
If you only have a low-light window available, then you should supplement with grow lights.