The History of One of the Most Common Houseplants in the World; Pothos. And How to Care for it!
If you’ve ever admired a cascading vine gently trailing down someone’s bookshelf or curling around the edges of a window, chances are you’ve encountered the pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum).
Photo by Lasma Balode on Unsplash
If you’ve ever admired a cascading vine gently trailing down someone’s bookshelf or curling around the edges of a window, chances are you’ve encountered the pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum).
Known for its heart-shaped leaves, vibrant green tones, and undemanding care, pothos has earned a steady presence in homes across the globe. But its beauty—and practicality—is only part of the story. The history of this humble plant is deeply entwined with themes of colonization, adaptability, and survival, highlighting how ecosystems and cultures collide in ways we often underestimate.
Native Roots: Southeast Asia and the Solomon Islands
Pothos originates in the lush tropical forests of Southeast Asia and the Solomon Islands. In its natural habitat, this plant thrives as a climber and creeper, wrapping its aerial roots around towering trees to reach the sunlight. Its leaves, glossy and vibrant, grow exponentially larger in the wild, creating an entirely different look than what we see in living rooms and offices.
These environments were once untouched by the forces of colonization and global trade. Indigenous ecosystems flourished, sustaining plants like pothos that played important roles in their biodiversity. Before pothos became domesticated, it was part of an ancient balance rooted in mutual respect between the earth and the organisms living within it. When we place pothos in our homes today, we often forget that these plants come from places with histories tied to their soil. This speaks to the larger issue of how we commodify nature—uplifting its aesthetic while erasing the histories and people tied to its origins.
Enter Colonization: Branding "Devil's Ivy"
With the expansion of worldwide colonial trade routes, pothos began appearing in other parts of the world. Originally labeled “devil’s ivy” for its seeming indestructibility, pothos was demonized through Western terminology. The name reflects a Eurocentric mindset that dismissed adaptability and survival as “wild” rather than a form of strength—a theme we often see reinforced in white supremacist thinking around ecosystems and non-Western knowledge.
In truth, pothos adapted beautifully to the global displacement forced upon it. Where colonial systems sought profit and control over nature, pothos thrived in defiance, its resilience earning it a lasting place in human spaces. What colonial governments underestimated was this plant’s capacity to survive extreme conditions. Pothos was marketed as ideal for ship storage, making its way across continents where it would eventually grow into houseplant fame.
A New Era: Pothos in Modern Homes
Today, pothos is celebrated not for the ecosystems it comes from but for its aesthetics and easy maintenance. It’s often the first plant recommended to beginners because it can survive low light, inconsistent watering, and even periods of neglect. Its resilience mirrors the ways humans persist under challenging environments, especially those shaped by systemic oppression.
But in reclaiming how we view pothos, we can choose to honor its roots. When tending to your pothos—whether pruning its vines or propagating it in clean water—consider its story. Think about the forests it comes from, about its ability to adapt and grow despite being uprooted from its homeland.
Lessons from Pothos
The history of the pothos plant offers us wisdom about resilience and survival. In a world deeply shaped by colonization, pothos reminds us to stretch toward possibility—even when the structures around us seem unrelenting. Its ability to root itself in unfamiliar spaces is a call to reconsider displacement, belonging, and the ways we care for one another and our collective earth.
So, when you trace the trailing vines of your pothos, you aren’t just interacting with a houseplant. You’re connecting with a story—a story of defiance, adaptability, and the enduring fight to thrive wherever you’re planted. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a little of that resilience within yourself too.
So…you have a pathos…how do you keep it alive?
Or maybe you want one and you’re not sure what you need to do to keep it alive and thriving. Let’s help you out. Caring for a pothos plant is not just about keeping a piece of greenery alive within our homes. It's a vibrant, daily reminder of resilience, growth, and the loving care we owe to ourselves and the living beings we share this planet with. In a world where hustle culture often leaves us drained, nurturing a pothos becomes a revolutionary act of slowing down, connecting with nature, and practicing empathy and attentiveness.
Understanding Your Pothos: A Guide Rooted in Compassion and Knowledge
The Right Light: Pothos plants, in their lush, leafy glory, thrive in environments that mimic the dappled sunlight of their original tropical forests. While they're celebrated for their ability to forgive and adapt to less-than-ideal conditions, placing them in bright, indirect light will honor their true nature. It is here, in this balance of providing what's natural yet adaptable to our own spaces, that we find a metaphor for self-care and understanding boundaries.
Watering with Intention: Perhaps the most common hiccup in pothos care comes down to watering practices. These hardy plants prefer their soil to dry out completely between waterings, a testament to their incredible adaptability. Over-watering can lead to root rot—essentially, the plant is overwhelmed, much like us when we stretch our own resources too thin. By observing the soil rather than adhering to a strict schedule, we practice responsive, rather than reactive, care. Watering your pothos becomes a moment of mindfulness, a pause in your day to check in not just with your plant, but with yourself.
Feeding the Soul and Soil: Fertilizing your pothos with a balanced, gentle fertilizer during the growing seasons (spring and summer) supports its growth without overwhelming it, much like how we must nourish our bodies and minds without tipping into overindulgence. This act of feeding becomes a ritual of ensuring that both we and our plants are receiving what we need to flourish, without excess.
The Art of Pruning: Pruning your pothos not only encourages fuller, more vibrant growth but also involves recognizing and letting go of what no longer serves us. This practice invites contemplation on the cycles of holding on and releasing, crucial processes in our personal and communal healing journeys.
Propagation: Growing Community: Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of caring for a pothos plant is the ease with which it can be propagated. Snipping off a piece of vine and sharing it with a friend becomes a symbol of collective growth and resilience. In this gesture, we're reminded of the importance of community support, sharing our strengths, and the beauty of helping others find their roots.
The Deeper Roots of Pothos Care
Caring for a pothos, with its simplicity and forgiving nature, offers a tangible connection to deeper truths about our existence. It's a daily practice in empathy, reminding us to extend the same patience, understanding, and care to ourselves and others that we do to our plants. In nurturing our pothos, we cultivate an environment of growth and healing, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness in our shared struggle for survival and flourishing.
Each leaf, each vine, tells a story of resilience, of surviving and thriving in spaces and conditions that aren't always ideal. In learning how to keep a pothos alive, we are also learning how to better care for ourselves and each other, how to thrive in the face of adversity, and how to grow vibrant communities rooted in love, understanding, and mutual support.
Pothos are The Best, But…
Caring for your pothos is more than a task—it's an opportunity to deepen your connection with nature and cultivate a mindful presence in your life. Whether you're troubleshooting plant health, planning intentional plant care routines, or simply enjoying your thriving green companions, the process of tending to your pothos becomes an act of nurturing resilience.
If you're looking for expert support to ensure your plants thrive effortlessly, consider the services offered by I’m Leafing Now. Whether it's a wellness check-up, repotting recommendations, or ongoing plant care, Sarah Potter’s generational knowledge and hands-on experience turn plant care into a lifestyle rooted in love and science. Let your urban jungle grow with trusted care that meets your plants where they are.
Ready to offer your plants the nurturing they deserve? Visit I’m Leafing Now to schedule a free consultation today. Let your plant family flourish with the peace of mind that comes from expert care and a commitment to both plants and people. Together, let’s cultivate growth! 🌿