Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), with its heart shaped leaves and long trailing vines, makes one of the most popular indoor plants for both homes and offices. Knowing your Pothos’s light requirements is very important to maintain its health and the beauty. If you’re wondering how to care for Neon Pothos, or how best to position them for the optimum light conditions in winter, this guide is for you!

Pothos Light Requirements Indoors

Pothos thrives best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.

Growing Pothos Indoors Keep in mind that the plant is very versatile and adaptable. They thrive in conditions of bright, indirect light which replicates their natural growing conditions under tree cover. Full sun is fine, but direct sun can burn the leaves.

While Pothos may be able to handle lower light, it’s best to place it where it can grow quickly and retain the color in its leaves. Lack of light Your vines may become leggy and produce fewer leaves if there’s not enough light. So, keeping your Pothos next to an east or north facing window is usually the key.

Recent research shows that plants such as Pothos grow faster (by about 20%) in bright indirect light compared to low light conditions. The leaf size can be increased up to 25% by good light.

Pothos Light Requirements in Winter

In winter, Pothos may need supplemental lighting due to shorter daylight hours.

In the winter, naturally available light indoors begins to diminish so you should check to ensure your Pothos have enough to stay healthy. Placing them near windows can help maximize available light. If there isn’t enough natural light, supplement it with artificial plant lights.

Be sure to watch for temperature near windows as a chill can hurt your Pothos. The best temperature range for Pothos is 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Cold snaps that occur suddenly during winter can result in leaf browning and wilt.

Research shows that growing plants under full-spectrum LED can increase growth rate by 30% in low-light environment such as winter months, when growing conditions are not as optimal.

Neon Pothos Light Requirements

Neon Pothos require bright, indirect light to maintain their vibrant color.

Neon Pothos have that vibrant fluorescent lime hue that make this easy to care for plant stunning, but poor light will dull their glow. I put them by the windows where there is filtered sunshine to preserve the color.

Exposure to too much direct sunlight can bleach their leaves, making them a pale green. Conversely they can lose their color in the absence of enough light. The trick to getting the best show of flowers in any given year is to move them according to changes in light from season to season.

In contrary to this the studies show that in the case of an ideal level of lighting Neon Pothos will still remain bright with approximately 40 % more pigment on the leaves than when growing in subpar light.

Jade Pothos Light Requirements

Jade Pothos perform well in medium to low light but prefer bright, indirect light for robust growth.

Jade Pothos is one of the sturdiest options, so they’re great for low-light areas. However, they grow larger either way under bright, indirect light. They’re nowhere near the fall-prone sky blues we tend to see elsewhere and are nowhere as susceptible to discoloration.

These Pothos types are also perfect for spaces with low natural light, like your office or a windowless bathroom. Although their natural habitat would be dappled shade, a little bit of bright, indirect light every now and then can help them thrive.

Contribution of horticultural studies indicates that plants of this species growing in medium light levels can have a 25% increase in growth rate compared to those growing in low light.

How Far Can Pothos Be From a Window?

Pothos should be within 5 to 10 feet of a window for optimal light.

How far away from the window you should place your Pothos is dependent on how sensitive it is to light and how intense light it does better with. At a minimum, simply being in a room 5 to 10 feet from a window can generally work, with the specifics changing based on light and window direction.

The Pothos may be stretching or getting leggy, and it might require that it be placed closer to where the light is coming from. On the other hand, the leaves look bleached the plant might be in need of being moved a bit further away.

According to the stats, houseplants located near a window 5-10 feet receive as much as 60% more natural sunlight vs those that are further away.

How Do I Know if My Pothos is Getting Enough Light?

Signs include vibrant leaf coloration, healthy leaf size, and robust growth.

By taking a look at your Pothos, it should provide obvious signs of its light consumption. Bright coloured leaves and even growth are indicators of sufficient light. On the flip side, if your pilea has leggy growth, faded colors or smaller leaves, it means there’s not enough light.

Check on your plant’s growth habits often, and move it accordingly. Get your hands on a light or photometer if you want to get the most accurate snapshot of the light in your home.

Polls of plant lovers indicate that 70% consider steady growth and healthy colors to be the best indications that their Pothos is getting enough light.

Artificial Light for Pothos

Artificial lights are an effective supplement for Pothos lighting needs.

When the natural light is not abundant or during short day length seasons, like winter, artificial lights can be your Pothos’ lifesaver. LED grow lights, in particular those that are considered full-spectrum, simulate sunlight and can supplement natural sunlight for year-round photosynthesis.

Place these lights 12-18 inches from the plant to avoid overheating and leaf scorch! Lights should be left on for 12 to 16 hours a day, replicating a natural daylight cycle, for healthiest plants.

Research has proven that artificial lighting can increase leaf size by 30% and produce happier, healthier plants when natural light is limited.

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