How to Prune Golden Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Quick Answer

Prune Golden Pothos any time of year, since it grows actively in most indoor conditions. Cut back long vines to encourage branching and remove yellowing or damaged leaves as they appear. Make cuts just below a leaf node so new growth can sprout from that point.

When is the best time to prune?

As a tropical indoor plant, Golden Pothos doesn't follow a strict seasonal cycle indoors, so you can prune whenever the vines get too long or the plant loses its shape.

Pacific

Year-round; heaviest pruning Mar–Sep

Mountain

Mar–Sep

Midwest

Mar–Sep

Northeast

Mar–Sep

Southeast

Year-round; heaviest pruning Mar–Sep

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Why Should I Prune My Golden Pothos?

Golden Pothos is one of the most forgiving plants you can own, and that extends to pruning. Left alone, individual vines can grow extremely long while the base of the plant starts to look bare and the newer growth up the vine becomes smaller and less variegated.

Cutting back long vines does two things at once: it controls the size and it triggers new growth from nodes further back on the stem. The plant responds by pushing multiple new shoots near the cut point, which makes it look fuller.

Remove yellowing leaves as they appear. Some yellowing at the oldest leaves near the base is normal as the plant grows, but widespread yellowing usually points to overwatering or low light rather than a pruning issue.

Every cutting you take is a free new plant. Golden Pothos roots in water almost effortlessly. Put the trimmings in a glass of water on a windowsill and you'll have rooted cuttings within a couple of weeks.

Know Before You Cut

Difficulty Easy

Max removal 1/3 of total vine length per session

Growth pattern Trailing and climbing vine

Tools Clean scissors or pruning shears

What Should I Remove?

Cut long vines just below a leaf node

Remove yellowing or brown leaves as they appear

Cut back vines that have lost variegation

Save cuttings to propagate in water

Don't remove more than a third of the plant at once

Don't cut in the middle of a bare stem section

Don't leave long leafless stems attached hoping they'll regrow

How Do I Prune Step by Step?

Identify which vines to trim

Look for vines that trail past your desired length, have become sparse with large gaps between leaves, or have leaves that are mostly green with little yellow variegation.

Locate a leaf node on each target vine

A node is the small bump on the stem where a leaf attaches. Cut just below a node, leaving the node on the plant. New growth will emerge from that node.

Make clean cuts with scissors

Cut each vine in one clean motion. Crushing or tearing the stem can cause browning at the cut site, though it's rarely serious for Golden Pothos.

Remove any yellow or dead leaves

Pull yellowing leaves off with a gentle downward tug, or snip them where the leaf stem meets the vine. They won't recover and removing them keeps the plant tidy.

Root the cuttings in water

Place trimmed sections with at least one node in a glass of water. Keep the node submerged and the leaves above the waterline. Roots appear in 7-14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prune Golden Pothos in winter?

Yes, Golden Pothos grows well indoors year-round and can be pruned any time. Growth may slow slightly in winter in low light, but pruning itself won't harm the plant.

My Golden Pothos vines are bare at the base. Will pruning fix it?

Cutting the long vines back will encourage new growth to emerge from the nodes lower on the stems, which helps fill out the base over time. It won't instantly fill in, but within a month or two you should see new shoots appearing near the pot.

Why are the new leaves on my Golden Pothos getting smaller?

Small new leaves usually mean the plant needs more light or a bigger pot. Moving it to a brighter spot and cutting back the longest trailing vines will encourage bigger, better-colored growth.

Can I cut a Golden Pothos all the way to the soil?

You can, but it's not necessary and takes a long time to recover. Cutting back to just 2-3 inches above the soil level with nodes present is enough to trigger full regrowth without stressing the plant severely.

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About This Article

Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist

About the Author

Kiersten Rankel holds an M.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University. A certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, she has over a decade of experience in science communication, with research spanning corals, cypress trees, marsh grasses, and more. At Greg, she curates species data and verifies care recommendations against botanical research.

See Kiersten Rankel's full background on LinkedIn.

Editorial Process

Pruning guidance verified against Epipremnum aureum growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.

106,843+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 10a–12b

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