How to Repot a Golden Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel, M.S.

Quick Answer

Repot a Golden Pothos every 1 to 2 years into a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a chunky, fast-draining houseplant mix with perlite and orchid bark. Spring through summer is the best window, when the plant is in active growth.

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How to Know It's Time to Repot

Golden Pothos is a fast-growing vine that fills a pot quickly, so it shows clear signs when it's outgrown its current home. Here are four signals to watch for.

1

Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
2

The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
3

Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering.
4

New leaves come in smaller than the older ones, and the vines grow more slowly than they used to.

One sign on its own isn't enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time. Most Golden Pothos plants need a fresh pot every 1 to 2 years, since they grow fast in good conditions.

The Best Time of Year to Repot

Golden Pothos recovers fastest from repotting when it's in active growth, which kicks in once daytime light gets long and strong. Spring through early summer is the sweet spot.

The roots heal quickly in warm, well-lit conditions, and there's plenty of growing season left for the plant to settle in. Use the map below to find your window.

North

Apr – Jul

Mid

Mar – Aug

South

Feb – Sep

How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix

Pot Size

Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Golden Pothos has a moderate root system, and too much extra space invites wet soil to sit unused around the roots and rot them.

Pot Material

Plastic and glazed ceramic are both good fits for Golden Pothos. They hold moisture long enough that the plant isn't constantly thirsty, which keeps the vines lush.

Terracotta works too, especially if you tend to overwater. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Golden Pothos rots fast in standing water.

Soil Mix

Mix two parts standard potting soil with one part perlite and a handful of orchid bark for the chunky, fast-draining blend Golden Pothos wants. The perlite and bark give the roots air pockets and keep the mix from packing down.

Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water for these roots and lead to root rot.

How to Repot a Golden Pothos, Step by Step

1

Water the day before. Give the plant a thorough drink the day before repotting. Moist soil holds the root ball together when you slide it out and keeps the fine roots from tearing as you work.
2

Pick the new pot. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh mix in the bottom so the root ball will sit at the same height it did before.
3

Slide the plant out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. If the plant is stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it. Be careful not to yank on the long vines.
4

Loosen the roots. Gently untangle any roots that have wound themselves into a tight circle at the bottom of the root ball. Trim away any sections that are black, mushy, or smell off. Healthy Pothos roots are firm and cream-colored.
5

Set it in the new pot. Center the plant at the same depth it was growing before. Fill in around the sides with fresh mix, pressing gently as you go to remove air pockets and steady the vines.
6

Water and place in bright indirect light. Water slowly until you see it run out the drainage holes. Set the plant somewhere bright but out of harsh direct sun for the first couple of weeks. Hold off on fertilizer for 4 to 6 weeks so the roots can heal.

What to Expect After Repotting

Week 1

A little droop, a yellow lower leaf, or a brief pause in vine growth is normal as the roots settle into their new soil.

Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, give the plant bright indirect light, and skip fertilizer for now.

Weeks 2 to 4

A fresh leaf at the tip of one of the vines is the clearest signal that the plant has rooted in and is ready for normal care.

Slide the pot back into its usual spot and ease into your regular watering rhythm. Start half-strength liquid fertilizer once new growth is clearly underway, and build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings.

Got More Questions?

Do Golden Pothos like to be root-bound?

Mildly so. Golden Pothos tolerates a snug pot well and even produces denser growth when it's slightly root-bound, but a truly pot-bound plant slows down and starts dropping lower leaves. Repot when you see two or more of the signs above.

Can I repot my Golden Pothos right after I bring it home?

Give it two to four weeks to adjust to your home's light and humidity first, unless it's clearly root-bound when you unbox it. A new environment plus a new pot at the same time is two stressors at once.

What if my pot doesn't have drainage holes?

Don't repot directly into it. Golden Pothos rots fast in standing water, so plant in a nursery pot with drainage and slip that inside the decorative pot. If you want to use the decorative pot directly, drilling works for unglazed terracotta, but glazed ceramic and thin pots tend to shatter. Use a diamond bit with a slow drip of water if you try it.

Can I divide my Golden Pothos when I repot?

Yes, and a repot is a great time to do it. Tease apart the root ball into two or more sections, making sure each has its own stems with roots, and pot each section separately. Spring is the best time, since the cuts heal fastest in active growth.

Should I trim the long vines when I repot?

Only if you want to. Trimming the vines doesn't hurt the plant and actually encourages bushier growth from the base. You can also stick the cut sections in water and root them as new plants. The repot itself doesn't require any trimming.

Should I add a moss pole when I repot?

It depends on whether you want trailing or climbing. Golden Pothos vines stay smaller-leafed and tidier trailing from a hanging pot. If you want bigger, more fenestrated leaves, give it a moss pole to climb. A repot is the easiest time to add one, since you can anchor the pole in the bottom of the new pot.

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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

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

108,919+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 10a–12b

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