Pothos is a popular houseplant known for its low light tolerance. It is ideal for places like washrooms and offices where access to fresh sunlight is limited. However, we know that despite high tolerance for low light, it still needs some amount of light to carry out the process of photosynthesis. So, how much light does your pothos need?
How much light does pothos need?
Pothos can grow in a wide range of light, but bright, indirect sunlight for at least 10 hours a day is ideal for the plant to thrive. If it doesn’t receive adequate light, the plant will become leggy, and the growth will be slow. It will also lead to etiolation in your pothos. Thus, it is very important to provide adequate light for your pothos.
Let us explore more about providing the right amount of light to your pothos.
Importance of light
Light is very important for all green plants including pothos. They use sunlight in the essential process of photosynthesis which allows them to produce their food. Light is so necessary for the plant that it will start to etiolate in the absence of light.
Etiolation is the process of forceful rapid growth in the plant in an attempt to obtain adequate light. So, if your pothos is not getting enough light, it will start to etiolate and look leggy and unkempt. A prolonged lack of light may also kill the plant.
Type of light
Pothos usually grows best in bright, indirect sunlight. However, it can also survive well under proper artificial lighting if there is no excess of sunlight. Use indoor grow lights to supplement the lack of natural light. However, be careful to understand the amount of light your pothos requires to provide it with artificial light of adequate power.
Amount of light
Usually, the pothos requires about 10 hours of natural light every day to grow well. So, having plenty of natural light in the place where your pothos is kept is always good. Grow lights can easily substitute natural light in indoor conditions. While pothos is tolerant to low light conditions, prolonged absence of light can cause severe problems in your plant, such as stunted growth, leggy stems, and weak health.
Solution
If you find symptoms of low light such as stunted growth or leggy stems, immediately move the plant to a location of partial shade where it has access to bright, indirect light throughout the day.
However, be careful of over-exposure to light as it may cause severe sunburns to the plant. Sunburns are brown spots in the plants which are generally permanent. So, once your plant is sunburnt, the only option is to prune the plant.
To avoid sunburns, gradually introduce it to bright light. It allows the plant to adapt itself to the change in light and ensures that there is no sunburn.
Thus, a pothos requires at least 10 hours of bright, indirect sunlight to thrive well. Although tolerant to low light, it will still lead to problems like slow growth and sparse foliage.