Pothos is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. Notably, it shrugs off deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5.5-7
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
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Score Pothos on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether pothos actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score pothos against your land's real conditions.
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What Pothos is
Pothos grows as a perennial and reaches around eight feet at maturity. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Pothos
Pothos does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 7, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 365 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
8 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
365+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant pothos in shade with at least 2 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Pothos prefers pH 5.5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune pothos to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — pothos is toxic to dogs and cats (moderate severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Pothos isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Pothos thrives
Whether pothos thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Pothos will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether pothos actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Pothos in my zone?
Zone data for pothos is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Pothos?
Most growers plant pothos after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 365-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Pothos need?
Pothos is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Pothos need?
Pothos prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Pothos attract pollinators?
Pothos isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Pothos safe for pets?
Pothos is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with moderate severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.