7 Golden Pothos Hacks That Make Your Home Look Stunning

I didn’t know a plant could change the vibe of my kitchen counter until I brought home a golden pothos. One little cutting in a reused nimbu ka achar jar and suddenly the whole space looked… happy. I call it my low-maintenance roommate. And over time, I’ve figured out a few golden pothos hacks that make even my messiest corners look stunning.

1. Best Golden Pothos Care Routine That Actually Works

I keep it absurdly simple. Once a week, I check if the soil feels dry when I poke my finger in. If yes, I water. That’s it. I don’t fuss over mists or fertilizers. But I do rotate the pot every few days so all sides get a fair bit of sunlight. This basic indoor plant care routine has kept my golden pothos thriving for two years now.

A trick I learnt from my neighbour — she adds a pinch of haldi in the water once a month. Keeps the roots fungus-free apparently! Haven’t tried it yet, but I like that it sounds desi and doable.

2. Watering Made Easy, My Rule of Thumb

Literally. I stick my index finger 2 inches into the soil. If it feels moist, I skip watering. If it’s dry, I water till I see a bit draining out from the bottom. No schedule, just intuition. And my golden pothos hasn’t complained yet.

Also, if you’re worried about overwatering golden pothos, use a planter with a drainage hole. I once made the mistake of keeping mine in a pretty, but solid-bottomed steel dabba. The roots got mushy, and I felt awful.

3. The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Growing in Water

Snip a healthy golden pothos stem, remove the lower leaves, and drop it in a clean glass jar filled with water. That’s it. I reuse old ghee bottles and keep them on the window sill. Refresh the water every 10 days.

Add a tiny pinch of Epsom salt once a month. Not necessary, but if you already have it lying around for foot soaks, it helps with healthy leaf colour. This tip came from an aunty who has a bathroom shelf full of pothos!

4. Vertical, Hanging, or Shelf, Where I Style Mine

My favourite is letting my golden pothos trail down from a wall shelf in the hall. One friend drapes hers from the microwave shelf in her kitchen. Another has it climbing up a jhoola chain. The styling options are endless and honestly, it hides clutter like magic.

For renters especially, this is a lifesaver. You don’t need nails or fancy hangers. Even a cup hook on a shelf works!

5. Vastu Bonus, Why It’s Great for Entryways

According to vastu, golden pothos brings positive energy and good luck, especially when placed near the entrance. So I kept one on our shoe rack with a small copper diya. Not sure about the luck, but it definitely brings a peaceful vibe to our doorway.

My mother-in-law says the golden pothos energy works best if you talk to it. I haven’t gone that far yet… unless complaining about laundry counts!

6. My Mistakes (Like Putting It in Direct Sunlight)

Biggest goof-up? Leaving my golden pothos on the balcony under full sun. My poor plant got scorched spots on the leaves. Lesson learnt, bright but indirect sunlight is best. If you’re wondering about golden pothos sunlight needs, think bright windows, not sunny terraces.

Another time, I got overexcited and propagated four cuttings in one glass. Too crowded. The stems rotted. Now I keep just one or two per jar.

7. How I Clean Those Big Leaves (and Why It Matters)

Dusty leaves = unhappy plant. Once every 2 weeks, I wipe my golden pothos leaves gently with a soft cloth dipped in diluted neem oil. It keeps them glossy and bug-free. Also makes me feel like I’m doing spa for plants.

Pro tip: If neem oil is too smelly for you, try wiping with leftover black tea water. It adds shine and I heard it even deters ants.

Bonus: Pair Golden Pothos with These Low-Maintenance Plants

If you’re starting a home jungle, golden pothos is a great first pick. You can pair it with:

These are some of the best indoor plants for India. All survive neglect better than I survive Bangalore traffic.

Final Thought: A Little Green Can Change Everything

Even five minutes of plant care a week makes your home feel more yours. I started with one golden pothos, and now every room has a bit of green. Don’t wait for perfect planters or Pinterest shelves. Just start. Your future self (and your home) will thank you.

Also, if you’re curious about how I started my kitchen gardening journey, this post on Kitchen Gardening on WTribe will show you my small-space hacks!

For more inspo and practical care tips, here’s a lovely guide I bookmarked on The Better India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I keep pothos in my bathroom?
Yes! Bathrooms with some natural light are perfect. The humidity helps it grow. Just don’t let water pool around the roots or you risk rot.

Q2: How do I make my pothos bushier?
Pinch off the growing tips just above a leaf node. It encourages branching. You can also plant two cuttings in the same pot for a fuller look.

Q3: Why are the leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves usually mean overwatering. Check the soil and let the top inch dry out before watering again. Trim yellow leaves to promote fresh growth.

Q4: Is pothos safe for pets?
Sadly, no. Golden pothos is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach or consider safer alternatives like areca palm or spider plant.

Q5: Can I grow pothos from just a leaf?
Nope. You need at least one node to root a cutting successfully. A single leaf won’t sprout roots or grow into a new golden pothos plant.

Shruti Menon

A proud homemaker from Bangalore, Shruti believes that managing a home is no less than running a company — just with more laundry and less appreciation! From meal planning and kitchen hacks to balcony gardening and DIY cleaning routines, she shares honest, real-life tips to help women simplify their daily hustle. At WTribe, Shruti writes for the Home & Hustle category, offering warm, practical advice with a dose of humour and a lot of heart.