Frozen and Root Bound: Can My Pothos Be Saved?
My pothos suffered extreme temperature shock after being left outside in a van (with outdoor temps ranging from ~28°F to 50°F, night/day, respectively) for several days. It was completely healthy before this event, but I feared the freezing temps had caused total cellular damage, leaving the plant beyond saving.
To be sure, I removed it from its pot to inspect for any salvageable roots or stems that may have been protected. During this process, I discovered the plant had been quite root bound before freezing. After removing the mushy, dead parts, I was left with the portions shown here. I also took some baby cuttings before this process, which are now propagating in water in hopes they’ll grow.
I’m not experienced with pothos beyond this one plant and haven’t repotted it before, so I don’t have a clear idea of what healthy roots should look like aside from online images. I realize these remaining portions are likely unsalvageable, but if there’s even a small chance of saving them, I want to try.
My questions:
1. Do any of these remaining roots/stems appear salvageable to you?
2. Should I attempt to repot any of them in fresh soil?
3. Are there any parts that should be cut off immediately, or are they all gone for?
I’ve kept leaves on most pieces since they’re necessary for photosynthesis, but some were brown/mushy or lost in the process. I also kept two leafless stems because their root structures appeared healthier than the rest.
Pothos experts, what do you think? Do I have any hope here? If any parts seem worth saving, I’ll repot them in fresh soil. Thank you in advance for your guidance!
#PothosPack #SaveOrGrave
To be sure, I removed it from its pot to inspect for any salvageable roots or stems that may have been protected. During this process, I discovered the plant had been quite root bound before freezing. After removing the mushy, dead parts, I was left with the portions shown here. I also took some baby cuttings before this process, which are now propagating in water in hopes they’ll grow.
I’m not experienced with pothos beyond this one plant and haven’t repotted it before, so I don’t have a clear idea of what healthy roots should look like aside from online images. I realize these remaining portions are likely unsalvageable, but if there’s even a small chance of saving them, I want to try.
My questions:
1. Do any of these remaining roots/stems appear salvageable to you?
2. Should I attempt to repot any of them in fresh soil?
3. Are there any parts that should be cut off immediately, or are they all gone for?
I’ve kept leaves on most pieces since they’re necessary for photosynthesis, but some were brown/mushy or lost in the process. I also kept two leafless stems because their root structures appeared healthier than the rest.
Pothos experts, what do you think? Do I have any hope here? If any parts seem worth saving, I’ll repot them in fresh soil. Thank you in advance for your guidance!
#PothosPack #SaveOrGrave
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 months ago
21
It's always different trying to judge from photos...but I think you have enough to get something....I always propagate mine in water they are hardy and can bounce back from alot. My suggestion would be to plant some in dirt...cut some off at the nods and put them on water....you have enough to try several things and I think you will see success. I'm rooting for you!
@Tisforthistle That gives me some hope 🙏🏽 I tried capturing the true color of the roots - for the most part, they are dark brown (which I believe to mean dead), but, there are certainly portions that look they've got a little bit of life left in them.
I love your suggestion of cutting some of these at the nodes! Will likely do with one or two that look healthier toward the top but not as good at the roots. If even one of these takes, I will call it a success. Tysm for the tips 🙂
I love your suggestion of cutting some of these at the nodes! Will likely do with one or two that look healthier toward the top but not as good at the roots. If even one of these takes, I will call it a success. Tysm for the tips 🙂
@Tisforthistle By cutting them in half, do you mean chopping off one of the sections that divide off into two?
You have options but move quickly. 1. I agree with propagating at the nodes in water. 2. I was wondering if you cut back some of the roots to see if they would grow in soil and/or water. Either way I would do this with the best water you can find and maybe a grow light that you can moderate the intensity and give it about 12 hours. I think you got a great shot at pulling the rescue off. Wishing you all the best!
@Tisforthistle Oh, gotcha. Probably a good idea going that route considering the roots are blacker at the bottom anyways. Will give it a try 🤞🏽
@GreenPurpose I chopped/lost a bunch of the roots in the process and really just kept those that appear to have at least a little life in them still. I didn't think to chop the roots of these halfway, but am going to do so for the longer ones. Here's my current set up.
@SucculentSavant that's even better...and will make it less stressful to go all through those. I think you will be good
@GreenPurpose I've got propped leaves on their own and multiple with stems/nodes in water in the mini jars. And just planted those with roots in fresh soil - also placed some of the good roots on their own in a pot. I may take a couple out of the soil and chop the roots further, but beyond that, I'll probably just let them sit with the grow light and see where it goes 🌱 thanks for the comment 🙏🏽
If the temp inside the van was -2°C then the ice (which is in size bigger than water) ruptured the cells, which is irreparable (death to roots and plants). However, if the temp inside the van was above 0°C (which is possible, because it's always warmer in the van, or in the car, than out of it), then the plants have a chance.
@SvelteKingfern I was thinking the same thing, wondering if they may have been able to stay above freezing - or at least, maybe, some of the inner parts of the plant. It was definitely close and could go either way at this point.
I agree with trying. One thing I haven’t seen said here is that if the leaves start to die, you can continue to try propagating the nodes but once a leaf looks mostly/fully dead, remove it to make sure it isn’t pulling nutrients from the nodes, just like how you don’t want too many leaves or dying leaves when propagating normally.
@SucculentSavant sounds like a good plan. Wishing you the best. Keep us posted. Heckava teaching moment
@SvelteKingfern One week update - unfortunately, things aren’t looking too good. 90% of the leaf/node pieces rotted within days; both those in the soil and in the water. I removed all of the parts that were clearly rotting and repotted those remaining in soil into individual pots. I’ve now got 3 with roots, stems, and a (very much dying) leaf. I also have one leaf/stem/node peice in water, and another stem/node piece floating with it (it still looks okay, but its stem & leaf fell off today). And I still have the root systems without stems in (mostly dry) soil - I’ve given them a little water; just enough to make the soil moist, and put them under a plastic bag for a greenhouse effect.
At this point, it’s become quite clear that 90-100% of the plant got below freezing. I still have hope for the root systems, as those may have kept insulated enough in the soil, but I guess we will keep waiting and see.
At this point, it’s become quite clear that 90-100% of the plant got below freezing. I still have hope for the root systems, as those may have kept insulated enough in the soil, but I guess we will keep waiting and see.
@SvelteKingfern I really only have hope for the root systems now. But I’m unsure of how to treat them beyond moistening the soil here and there and providing them the mini greenhouse. What do you think? I’m pretty much shooting from the hip at this point.
Root systems are the sturdiest.
I'm not an expert on pothos, but I'll try. Soil should be kept slightly moist, but not soggy. At the beginning, the best is bright shade. (1 m from a window, no direct sunlight). About that mini greenhouse: keep the humidity 50% to 70% . Do not mist the leaves. Water with rain water or distilled water: to keep the soil slightly acidic at 6ph.
I'm not an expert on pothos, but I'll try. Soil should be kept slightly moist, but not soggy. At the beginning, the best is bright shade. (1 m from a window, no direct sunlight). About that mini greenhouse: keep the humidity 50% to 70% . Do not mist the leaves. Water with rain water or distilled water: to keep the soil slightly acidic at 6ph.