Do Pothos Plants Actually Flower?

Do Pothos Plants Flower?

Pothos are a staple plant in the houseplant industry. They are low-light plants, very easy to care for, and are grown for their luscious heart-shaped leaves. Many plant owners wonder if their pothos plant is capable of blooming. The short answer is yes, pothos plants do flower, however, it’s very hard to get indoor pothos houseplants to flower. In this article, we’ll explore the topic of pothos blooming, when it blooms, and where it blooms along with going through the life cycle of a pothos plant.

Do Pothos Bloom in the Wild?

Pothos plants, Epipremnum Aureum, are native to the forests of Southeast Asia and are in the Arum family (Araceae genus). They can grow up to 70 feet long in their natural habitat and once they reach full maturity, including them growing on trees and producing aerial roots, they can produce flowers. They will grow in a spadix which is within the spathe. Once the spathe opens, you will see the spadix with tiny greenish-white flowers. The spathe will eventually fall, leaving only the spadix with the flowers. While pothos plants do bloom in the wild, their flowers are not showy and are often overshadowed by the plant’s lush foliage.

Pothos Flowering in the Wild

Why Doesn’t My Pothos Flower?

If you’re a pothos plant owner, you may be wondering why your plant isn’t producing any flowers. It is very hard to get pothos to flower and it most likely will never flower inside your home as a houseplant, so don’t worry you are not doing anything wrong! In order to understand why they are not producing blooms, we’ll have to look at the pothos life cycle.

Pothos plants require a certain level of maturity before they are able to enter their reproductive phase and produce flowers. One reason why your pothos isn’t flowering may be that your pothos plant is still in its vegetative phase, which is highly likely. Another reason may be that your pothos plant is not receiving the proper care and conditions it needs to bloom. Insufficient light, poor soil quality, and lack of space are all reasons a pothos may not flower.

Additionally, pothos plants are sensitive to temperature and humidity levels, so if the environment is too cold or dry, your plant may not flower. Also, the plant won’t ever flower inside of a container. It needs to grow in the grown, which is why it thrives in the rainforest. Any USDA zones colder than 9 or 10 will need to build a greenhouse in order to get pothos to bloom. If you live in Florida, Arizona, parts of Texas, or parts of California, you may be able to grow it outside if the area you live in stays above 70F year-round. But know that golden pothos are classified as invasive in some parts of the world.

Vegetative Phase vs. Reproductive Phase

Pothos plants go through two distinct phases in their growth cycle: vegetative and reproductive. During the vegetative or juvenile phase, the plant focuses its energy on leaf, stem, and root growth. This phase can last for several years, depending on the plant’s growing conditions and overall health. Once the plant reaches a certain level of maturity, it will enter the reproductive stage, where it can begin producing flowers if given optimal conditions. The exact timing of this transition can vary depending on the specific pothos plant variety, but it typically occurs when the plant has reached a certain size and age. Providing your pothos plant with the right care and conditions can help it transition to its reproductive phase and enjoy its blooms.

How Do I Get My Pothos to Flower?

If you want to get your indoor pothos plants to bloom, there are several steps you can take, however, don’t expect it to bloom inside in a pot. This plant needs a deep root system, tons of space, and consistently optimal growing conditions and the plant already has a low level of gibberellin in it, which is the hormone plants produce right before it blooms.

Warm Temperature & High Humidity

Provide warm temperature and high humidity: Pothos plants natively grow in warm and humid conditions, so make sure to replicate those environments inside your home and keep the temperature range between 70-85°F and give it humidity levels of around 60-70% consistently.

Bright Light

Give your Devil’s Ivy bright light: Pothos plants require bright, indirect light to bloom. Think about the type of light it receives in the rainforest, which is a filtered light through the tops of the trees. Place your plant near a window that resembles this lighting. Remember that direct sunlight will burn their leaves. Alternatively, you can use a grow light.

Correct Soil Mix

Use a well-aerated soil mix: Pothos plants prefer a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter. You can create your own airy pothos soil mix including peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.

Enough Space

Give your plant enough space: Pothos plants need enough space to grow and therefore, flower. Provide the plant with a sturdy support system resembling a tree in the wild. This will help to encourage a deep root system so that the plant can bloom. Without a deep root system and enough space, the plant will not produce flowers.

Enough Time for Your Plant to Mature Into a Reproductive Phase

Give your plant enough time to mature into a reproductive phase: Remember that pothos plants need to reach a certain level of maturity before they can enter their reproductive phase and produce flowers. Be patient and continue to provide your plant with the right care and conditions.

These steps may seem simple enough, however, the amount of time and how large the plant needs to be before in order for it to shift its growing pattern from vegetative to reproductive is a lot. Therefore, pothos will likely not ever bloom indoors as a houseplant.

How Long Do Pothos Flowers Last?

Pothos flowers are typically small and inconspicuous. Once the pothos plant has entered its reproductive phase and begins producing flowers, it’s easy to wonder how long these blooms will last. Generally, pothos flowers only last for a few weeks before they begin to wither and fall off. It’s important to note that pothos plants are primarily grown for their foliage, not their flowers, so don’t be discouraged if your plant’s blooms don’t last for a long time.

Are Pothos Flowers Toxic?

Containing calcium oxalate crystals, all parts of the pothos plant are toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. It’s essential to keep the plant out of reach humans, cats, and dogs to avoid ingesting it. Ingesting pothos plants can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans and pets let alone irritation on the lips and tongue. The sap secreted from the stems can also cause skin irritation. If you suspect that someone has ingested any part of a pothos plant, seek medical attention immediately.

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