If you’ve noticed your pothos leaves turning black, it’s a clear sign your plant is stressed. This common issue can be alarming, but it’s often fixable with a few simple changes to your care routine. Let’s look at what causes those dark, sometimes mushy, patches and how you can get your pothos back to its vibrant, healthy self.
Black leaves on a pothos are a symptom, not a disease itself. The plant is telling you something in its environment is wrong. The good news is that pothos are incredibly resilient. Once you identify and correct the problem, your plant will usually bounce back with new, healthy growth.
Pothos Leaves Turning Black
The primary culprits behind blackening leaves are almost always related to water, temperature, or disease. By understanding each cause, you can become a plant detective and solve the case quickly.
Main Causes of Black Leaves
Here are the most frequent reasons your pothos leaves are developing black spots or turning completely black:
* Overwatering and Root Rot: This is the #1 cause. Pothos dislike soggy soil. Constant wetness suffocates the roots, causing them to rot. This rot prevents water and nutrients from reaching the leaves, which then turn soft, mushy, and black, often starting at the base or on older leaves.
* Underwatering: While less common, severe drought stress can cause leaves to crisp up and turn dark brown or black, especially at the tips and edges, before they fall off.
* Extreme Cold or Drafts: Pothos are tropical plants. Exposure to temperatures below 50°F (10°C), or even a cold draft from a window or air conditioner, can cause black, water-soaked patches on the leaves. This is essentially frost damage on a cellular level.
* Sunburn (Too Much Direct Sun): Pothos prefer bright, indirect light. Strong, direct sunlight, especially through a hot window, can scorch the leaves. This leads to bleached, crispy areas that may turn brown or black around the edges.
* Fungal or Bacterial Leaf Spot Diseases: These often appear as irregular black or brown spots with a yellow halo. They thrive in wet, humid conditions, especially if water sits on the leaves for too long.
* Pest Infestations: Severe infestations from sap-sucking pests like mealybugs or scale can weaken the plant and cause leaf discoloration, sometimes leading to black sooty mold growing on the honeydew they excrete.
Step-by-Step Rescue Plan
Follow these steps as soon as you notice the problem to give your pothos the best chance of recovery.
Step 1: Immediate Assessment and Pruning
First, put on your detective hat. Gently remove your pothos from its pot to inspect the roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Rotten roots are mushy, dark brown or black, and may smell bad.
Using clean, sharp scissors, prune away all the severely affected leaves and stems. Cut back to healthy, green tissue. Don’t be afraid to remove a lot; this helps the plant focus its energy on new growth. Also, trim away any rotten roots completely.
Step 2: Address the Root Cause (Literally)
Based on your assesment, take the correct action:
* If Overwatered: Repot the plant into fresh, well-draining potting mix. Choose a pot with drainage holes that is only 1-2 inches larger than the root ball. Terracotta pots are great because they help soil dry out faster.
* If Underwatered: Give the plant a thorough, deep watering. Let water run freely out the drainage holes. Then, return to a more consistent watering schedule.
* If Cold Damaged or Sunburned: Move the plant to a safe spot immediately. This means away from drafty windows and out of direct, harsh sunlight. A location with bright, filtered light is ideal.
* If Disease is Suspected: Isolate the plant from your others. Remove all spotted leaves and improve air circulation. Avoid getting water on the foliage when you water.
Step 3: Correct Your Watering Technique
Proper watering prevents most problems. Here’s the golden rule for pothos:
1. Check the soil before you water. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil.
2. If the top 2 inches feel completely dry, it’s time to water.
3. Water slowly and evenly until you see water flowing out of the drainage hole.
4. Empty the saucer or cache pot after 15 minutes so the plant isn’t sitting in water.
5. Wait until the soil dries out again before repeating.
Step 4: Optimize the Environment
Create a happy home for your pothos to prevent future issues:
* Light: Provide bright, indirect light. An east-facing window or a spot a few feet back from a south/west window is perfect.
* Temperature: Keep your plant in a room between 65-85°F (18-29°C). Avoid placing it near heating vents, AC units, or drafty doors.
* Humidity: While pothos tolerate average humidity, they enjoy a bit more. You can mist the leaves occasionally, place a humidifier nearby, or group it with other plants.
* Soil: Use a high-quality, peat-based potting mix that drains well. You can add a handful of perlite or orchid bark to improve aeration.
Preventing Common Plant Problems
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially in plant care. By sticking to a few good habits, you can avoid not just black leaves, but many other common plant problems.
* Establish a Check-up Routine: Once a week, feel the soil, look at the leaves (top and underside), and check the overall posture of your plant. This helps you catch issues early.
* Clean the Leaves: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every month or so. This removes dust, allows for better light absorption, and helps you spot pests.
* Fertilize Lightly: During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your pothos with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength, once a month. Do not fertilize in fall and winter.
* Quarantine New Plants: Always keep new plants separate from your existing collection for 2-3 weeks. This prevents any hidden pests or diseases from spreading.
FAQ: Your Pothos Problems Solved
Q: Can black pothos leaves turn green again?
A: No, once a leaf has turned black, that tissue is dead and cannot recover. The best course is to prune it away so the plant can focus on growing new, healthy leaves.
Q: How often should I water my pothos to prevent black leaves?
A: There’s no set schedule. Always water based on soil moisture, not the day of the week. The frequency will change with the seasons, light levels, and temperature in your home.
Q: Is it normal for old pothos leaves to turn yellow or black?
A: It’s normal for the occasional oldest leaf to yellow and drop as the plant grows. However, if multiple leaves are turning black or yellow quickly, it’s a sign of a care issue.
Q: What does an overwatered pothos look like compared to an underwatered one?
A: Overwatered pothos leaves turn soft, mushy, and dark black or brown, often starting at the base. Underwatered leaves become dry, crispy, and wilted, turning brown or black at the very tips and edges first.
Q: Should I use a moisture meter for my pothos?
A: A moisture meter can be a helpful tool, especially for beginners. It takes the guesswork out of knowing when the deeper soil is dry and ready for water.
Seeing your pothos leaves turning black can be worrying, but now you have the knowledge to act. Remember, the key is to check the roots, adjust your watering, and provide a stable, warm environment. With these adjustments, your pothos will likely recover and continue to thrive, adding lush greenery to your space for years to come.