How to Fertilize Golden Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Quick Answer

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 10-10-10 ratio, diluted to half strength. Feed every two weeks during spring and summer. Cut back to monthly in fall and stop in winter.

When Should I Start Feeding My Golden Pothos?

Because Golden Pothos is almost always grown indoors, your feeding window follows seasonal light levels rather than outdoor frost dates.

Pacific Mar–Oct

Mountain Apr–Sep

Midwest Apr–Sep

Northeast Apr–Sep

Southeast Mar–Oct

Stay on top of plant care

Get seasonal reminders for watering and fertilizing — personalized for your plants.

Try Greg Free

How Often Should I Fertilize My Golden Pothos?

Feed every two weeks from spring through summer when your Pothos is actively pushing new leaves. This is a fast grower and it will show you when it is happy with bigger, more vibrant foliage.

In early fall, reduce feeding to once a month. By late fall, stop entirely and let the plant rest through winter. Even though Pothos is evergreen, growth slows significantly when daylight drops.

Signs of over-fertilizing include brown leaf tips and a white crust on the soil surface. If you see either, flush the pot with plain water and skip your next feeding.

Feeding Calendar

Spring & Summer

Half-strength liquid every 2 weeks

Early Fall

Half-strength liquid once a month

Late Fall & Winter

No feeding

What Is the Best Fertilizer for Golden Pothos?

Golden Pothos is a fast-growing foliage plant that responds well to a balanced or slightly nitrogen-heavy liquid fertilizer. An NPK ratio of 3-1-2 or a simple 10-10-10 at half strength works perfectly. The extra nitrogen supports the lush leaf production that makes this plant so popular.

Liquid fertilizer is the best delivery method for Pothos because it spreads evenly through the root zone with each watering. Dilute to half the recommended label strength. Pothos is forgiving, but it is easier to add more fertilizer later than to undo salt damage.

Slow-release granules are a lower-maintenance alternative. Sprinkle them on the soil surface once at the start of the growing season and let them dissolve gradually over a few months.

Synthetic

Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro 9-3-6

Complete liquid formula with all 16 essential nutrients in a 3-1-2 ratio. Mix 1/4 teaspoon per gallon for regular feeding.

Schultz All Purpose Liquid Plant Food 10-15-10

Affordable liquid concentrate you can find at most garden centers. Seven drops per quart of water.

Organic

Liqui-Dirt Organic Concentrate

All-in-one organic option with mycorrhizae. One scoop per gallon of water for a gentle, balanced feed.

Alaska Fish Fertilizer 5-1-1

Classic organic nitrogen source that is excellent for foliage plants like Pothos. Dilute 1 tablespoon per gallon. It does have a strong smell.

Worm castings

A gentle slow-release amendment. Mix a thin layer into the top inch of soil every few months for a mild nutrient boost.

How Do I Fertilize My Golden Pothos?

Water your plant first

Water your Pothos thoroughly before fertilizing. This protects the roots from concentrated fertilizer salts and helps nutrients spread evenly through the soil.

Dilute to half strength

Mix your liquid fertilizer at half the dose listed on the label. For a 10-10-10, that is typically about 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water.

Pour evenly over the soil

Apply the diluted fertilizer directly to the soil, working around the base of the stems. Avoid pouring it on the leaves.

Let excess drain

Allow the fertilizer solution to flow through the pot and out the drainage holes. Do not let the pot sit in the runoff tray for more than 30 minutes.

Flush the soil every 2 to 3 months

Run plain water through the pot until it streams out the bottom to wash away salt buildup. This is especially important for Pothos since they are often kept in the same pot for years.

Got More Questions?

Can I use coffee grounds on my Golden Pothos?

A small amount mixed into the soil will not hurt, but coffee grounds are mildly acidic and break down slowly. They are not a reliable source of nutrients for Pothos. Stick to a balanced liquid fertilizer for consistent results.

What happens if I over-fertilize my Golden Pothos?

You will see brown, crispy leaf tips and possibly a white salt crust on the soil. Flush the pot with plenty of plain water to wash out excess salts, and skip your next one or two feedings.

My Pothos is in low light. Should I still fertilize?

Yes, but less often. In low light the plant grows more slowly and uses fewer nutrients. Feed once a month at half strength during the growing season instead of every two weeks.

Do I need to fertilize Pothos growing in water?

Yes. Water has no nutrients, so a Pothos grown in water relies entirely on what you add. Put two or three drops of liquid fertilizer in the water once a month.

Can banana peels fertilize my Pothos?

Banana peels do not deliver meaningful potassium to a potted plant. They break down very slowly in soil and can attract fungus gnats. A proper liquid fertilizer is far more effective.

Stay on top of plant care

Get seasonal reminders for watering and fertilizing — personalized for your plants.

Try Greg Free

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

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

107,104+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 10a–12b

Citations:
NC State Extension
Missouri Botanical Garden
Wisconsin Horticulture Extension

More Golden Pothos Care

Annual Benefits Bugs Care Indoors Care Outdoors Companion Plants Direct Sunlight Flower Flower Problems Hardiness Zone How to Grow How to Plant Humidity Landscaping Ideas Black Spots on Leaves Brown Spots on Leaves Leaves Curling Leaves Drooping Leaves Dropping Leaves Falling Over Leaves Mushy Yellow Leaves Lifecycle Light Requirements Perennial Pollination Problems Propagating Repotting Root Rot Roots Size Temperature Varieties How Often to Water Weeds What Eats When to Plant Where to Plant Wilting Winter