Reasons and Rescue Guide for Soft Pothos Leaves
As people's living standards improve, pothos, as a common indoor decorative plant, is deeply loved for its air-purifying and beautifying features. Many pothos owners encounter this problem: the pothos leaves suddenly become soft all at once. This not only affects the ornamental value of the pothos but also makes one worry about its vitality. This article will reveal the reasons for soft pothos leaves and provide effective rescue strategies.
Reasons for Soft Pothos Leaves
1. Improper Watering
Pothos prefers a shady and humid environment. Both overwatering and underwatering can lead to soft leaves. Overwatering can cause root suffocation and root rot; underwatering can lead to dry soil, preventing the roots from absorbing water, causing the leaves to naturally become soft.
2. Insufficient Light
Although pothos prefers shade, prolonged dark environments can also cause the leaves to become soft. Lack of light slows the growth of pothos, makes the leaf color dull, and can even lead to soft leaves.
3. Air Pollution
Poor indoor air quality, such as excessive harmful substances like formaldehyde and benzene, can also cause pothos leaves to become soft. These harmful substances inhibit the growth of pothos, causing its leaves to lose their vitality.
4. Improper Fertilization
Excessive application of fertilizer, especially nitrogen fertilizer, can cause pothos leaves to grow too quickly, leading to soft leaves. Improper fertilization can also lead to high soil salinity, affecting the roots' ability to absorb water.
Rescue Guide
1. Control Watering
Adjust the watering frequency reasonably according to the growth habits of pothos. During the hot summer season, you can water once a day; during the cold winter season, you can water every 3-5 days. When watering, try to water the soil thoroughly to avoid waterlogging.
2. Increase Light Appropriately
Place the pothos in a place with abundant scattered light, such as a windowsill or balcony. In winter, you can move the pothos to a well-lit indoor location.
3. Improve Air Quality
Regularly ventilate to reduce the content of harmful substances indoors. If possible, use an air purifier.
4. Fertilize Appropriately
When fertilizing, use compound fertilizer as the main type, applied once a month. After fertilizing, ensure the soil is moist to prevent the fertilizer from clumping.
5. Check the Roots
When you find that the pothos leaves are soft, check the roots promptly. If there is any rot, you can cut off the rotten parts with scissors and replant.
If all the pothos leaves are soft, it may be caused by improper watering, insufficient light, air pollution, or improper fertilization. After understanding these reasons, we can take targeted measures to help the pothos recover its vitality. Maintaining good care habits will allow the pothos to flourish indoors, adding a touch of green to our lives.