How To Prune Golden Pothos

Learning how to prune golden pothos is a simple task that keeps your plant healthy and full. This easy guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step.

Pruning is not just about cutting back a plant. For your golden pothos, it’s the key to encouraging bushier growth and preventing a leggy, sparse appearance. With just a few snips, you can completely refresh its look.

This resilient houseplant is forgiving, making it perfect for beginners. You really can’t go wrong. Let’s get started with what you’ll need.

What You Need Before You Start

Gathering your tools first makes the job smoother. You won’t need much.

Sharp, Clean Scissors or Pruning Shears: Blunt tools can crush stems. Wipe blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading disease.
Disposable Gloves (Optional): Golden pothos sap can irritate skin for some people.
A Planter with Fresh Potting Mix (Optional): Have this ready if you plan to propagate your cuttings.
A Cup or Jar of Water (Optional): For rooting those cuttings if you choose.

This is the core process. Follow these steps in order for the best results.

Step 1: Examine Your Plant

Take a good look at your pothos from all angles. Identify the areas that need attention.

Look for long, bare vines with few leaves. These are called “leggy” stems. Also note any yellow, brown, or damaged leaves. Spot where the leaves are most dense, too. This assesment guides your cuts.

Step 2: Plan Your Cuts

Don’t just start snipping randomly. Your goal is to trim back the longest vines to encourage branching from the base.

Visualize cutting a vine back to a point where it still has a healthy leaf. New growth will sprout from the node just below that cut. A node is that little brown bump on the stem where leaves grow from.

Step 3: Make the Pruning Cuts

Now, it’s time to act. For each vine you want to shorten, find a leaf that looks healthy.

Trace the stem down from that leaf to the node directly below it.
Position your shears about a quarter-inch above that node.
Make a clean, angled cut. The angle helps shed water if you’re propagating.

Repeat this for all leggy stems. You can be quite bold—your pothos can handle losing up to a third of its growth. Remove any completely bare stem sections, as they won’t produce new leaves.

Step 4: Remove Unhealthy Leaves

Don’t forget about the individual leaves. Any that are yellowing, have brown crispy spots, or are torn should be removed.

Cut the leaf stem off at its base, near the main vine. This directs the plant’s energy to creating new, healthy foliage instead of trying to repair damaged ones. It also improves the plant’s overall appearance.

Step 5: Clean Up and Care After Pruning

Once pruning is complete, clean up all the cuttings from the soil surface. This prevents mold and pests.

Give your plant a thorough watering if the soil is dry. Place it back in its usual spot with bright, indirect light. It will soon respond with fresh growth from the points where you cut.

Avoid fertilizing immediately after pruning. Wait about a month to let the plant recover first.

What to Do With Your Pothos Cuttings: Propagation

Don’t throw those cuttings away! They are new plants in the making. Propagating golden pothos is incredibly easy.

Method 1: Water Propagation

This is the most popular method because it’s fun to watch the roots grow.

Take your cuttings, ensuring each has at least one node.
Place them in a jar or cup of room-temperature water, making sure the node is submerged.
Put the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light.
Change the water every week to keep it fresh.
In 2-6 weeks, you’ll see roots developing. Wait until they are a few inches long before potting.

Method 2: Direct Soil Propagation

You can skip the water step entirely. This gets the cutting established in its permanent home faster.

Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder (optional, but it helps).
Plant the cutting directly into a small pot with moist potting mix. Bury the node.
Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first few weeks.
Gently tug on the cutting after a few weeks; resistance means roots have formed.

You can even plant several cuttings back into the mother plant’s pot to make it look fuller and bushier right away.

Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

Even with an easy plant, a few missteps can happen. Here’s what to watch out for.

Using Dirty Tools: This can transfer bacteria or pests. Always wipe your shears.
Cutting Too Far from a Node: The stem piece left above a node will die back to it. Cutting close is cleaner.
Pruning at the Wrong Time: While you can prune year-round, spring and summer offer the fastest recovery. Avoid heavy pruning in deep winter when growth is slow.
Overwatering After Pruning: The plant has less foliage to absorb water. Stick to your normal watering schedule to avoid root rot.
Not Pruning Enough: Being too timid means you won’t achieve that bushy look. Don’t be afraid to make significant cuts.

Why Pruning is Essential for a Healthy Pothos

Pruning isn’t just cosmetic. It provides several key benefits for your plant’s long-term health.

It controls size and shape, preventing your pothos from taking over a space. It encourages denser growth, leading to a lusher, more attractive plant. Regular removal of old leaves prevents energy waste.

It also improves air circulation within the foliage, reducing the risk of fungal issues. Finally, it’s your chance to check for pests or diseases hiding in the vines.

FAQs About Pruning Golden Pothos

How often should I prune my golden pothos?

Light pruning can be done anytime you see a yellow leaf or a vine getting too long. For a major shaping, once or twice a year during the growing season (spring/summer) is sufficient.

Can I cut the main stem of my pothos?

Yes, you can. There’s no single “main stem.” Each vine can be cut back. Cutting a vine encourages it to branch from lower nodes, creating a fuller plant from the base up.

Will cutting my pothos make it grow faster?

Pruning redirects the plant’s energy. After a short recovery period, you should see new growth points activating, which can make the plant appear to grow faster and bushier in the areas you want.

Why is my pothos leggy even after pruning?

Legginess is usually due to insufficient light. After pruning, ensure your plant gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Without enough light, it will continue to stretch out weakly between leaves.

Can I prune a pothos root bound?

Absolutely. In fact, if your plant is root-bound, it’s a good idea to prune the foliage at the same time you repot it. This balances the top growth with the reduced or disturbed root system, easing the plant’s transition.

Final Tips for Success

Remember, golden pothos are remarkably tough. They readily bounce back from pruning. The most common error is not pruning enough out of fear.

Always cut above a node, as that’s where new life emerges. Keep your tools clean to protect your plant. And finally, have fun with propagation—it’s the most rewarding part, allowing you to share plants with friends or fill your own home with more green.

With this simple routine, your golden pothos will remain a vibrant and manageable companion for years to come. Regular attention is the secret to a truly spectacular indoor plant.