Epipremnum aureum Drooping Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Underwatering

When the soil dries out completely, the cells in the leaves lose turgor pressure, causing the foliage to wilt and droop. This is common in Pothos when the potting medium has become hydrophobic or bone-dry.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Insert your finger two inches into the soil; if it feels dry and the leaves feel soft/limp, water immediately.

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1 Immediately check the soil moisture level with a probe to confirm the depth of dryness.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3

Water Meters

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2 Thoroughly soak the soil until water runs freely from the drainage holes to restore turgor pressure to the leaves.

Chapin 48000 0.5G Watering Can

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3 Ensure the plant is in a pot with proper drainage and use a saucer to catch excess water.

Bleuhome 10" Plant Saucer 6-Pack Black

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Overwatering and Root Rot

Excessive moisture deprives roots of oxygen, leading to fungal decay (Pythium or Phytophthora). As the root system dies, it can no longer transport water to the leaves, resulting in a paradoxical drooping even in wet soil.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Check for a musty odor from the soil and inspect if the roots are dark brown and slimy rather than firm and white.

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1 Immediately remove the plant from its current pot and inspect the roots for mushy, dark, or foul-smelling decay; trim away any rotten sections using sterilized tools.

2 Repot the plant in a fresh, well-draining medium and a container with proper drainage to prevent future water pooling.

3 Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the substrate, ensuring you only water when the top inch of soil is dry to avoid repeating the overwatering cycle.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

$12

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Temperature Shock or Drafts

Epipremnum aureum is a tropical plant sensitive to sudden temperature fluctuations. Exposure to cold drafts from air conditioners or windows can cause the plant to lose internal pressure and droop.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the plant is placed near an AC vent, a drafty window, or in a room with temperatures below 60°F (15°C).

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1 Move your Pothos away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or drafty windows to a stable, warm environment.

2 Check the soil moisture levels to ensure the drooping isn't actually caused by underwatering or overwatering during the temperature shift.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

$12

In Stock

3 If the plant is struggling to recover, provide supplemental warmth and consistent light using a grow light to stabilize its energy levels.

SANSI 10W Full Spectrum Gooseneck Grow Light

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Light Stress (Insufficient Light)

While Pothos can tolerate low light, extremely low light levels reduce the plant's ability to maintain metabolic processes and structural integrity. This often manifests as leggy growth with drooping, smaller leaves.

Common

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How to confirm: Observe if the internodes (space between leaves) are getting longer and if new growth is significantly smaller than old growth.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Move your Pothos to a location with brighter, indirect sunlight to boost metabolic processes and structural strength.

2 Supplement with a full-spectrum grow light to ensure consistent light levels during darker months or in low-light rooms.

SANSI 10W Full Spectrum Gooseneck Grow Light

1 pcs

$19

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3 Monitor soil moisture levels with a meter to ensure the drooping isn't actually caused by underwatering due to reduced light uptake.