From my perspective as a Pothos, my long, trailing vines are not a problem; they are a sign of my success and vitality. In my natural jungle habitat, I am a climber, using my aerial roots to scale trees and reach for the dappled sunlight high in the canopy. When my stems get long in your home, I am simply following my innate instinct to explore and expand, seeking out new space and light sources. This vigorous growth means I am happy and healthy in the environment you have provided for me.
When you notice my vines becoming excessively long, the most beneficial action for both of us is a gentle pruning. Please do not be afraid to make a cut! Using clean, sharp scissors, you can snip my stem just below a node—the small brown bump on my stem where a leaf grows. From my point of view, this is not a loss but an opportunity for renewal. That pruning signal tells me to redirect my energy into producing new, bushier growth from the node just below where you made the cut, making my base fuller and lusher. Furthermore, the piece you remove can become a whole new plant.
Those long pieces you cut can be propagated. You can place the cuttings in a jar of water, ensuring the node is submerged. From that node, I will eagerly grow fresh, white water roots, excited to drink and sustain a new version of myself. Once a healthy root system develops, you can plant me back into my original pot to create a denser, more voluminous appearance, or you can pot me separately to create a gift for a friend. This process allows my legacy to continue and multiply.
Another way to manage my length that aligns with my natural desires is to offer me support. Instead of letting my vines trail, you can provide a moss pole or a wooden plank for me to climb. When my aerial roots detect a moist, rough surface, my instinct to climb kicks in. I will happily attach myself and grow upwards rather than outwards. This vertical growth allows me to produce much larger, more mature leaves, similar to what I would in the wild, and it saves a tremendous amount of horizontal space for you.
Ultimately, my long vines are a gift and a request. They are my way of communicating that I am thriving under your care. By pruning and propagating, you engage in a cycle of growth that is deeply satisfying for me. It prevents my base from becoming leggy and bare, encourages a more robust form, and allows my energy to be focused efficiently. You are not curtailing my growth but rather guiding it, helping me to become the best, healthiest, and most beautiful plant I can be.
