Understanding the ideal Pothos temperature tolerance can help you care and maintain the houseplant better. Some areas know it as the Devil’s Ivy, which is quite logical considering that it’s one of those tropical vine plants that are native to Solomon Islands (located in South Pacific) and French Polynesia. The plant has a unique look, with its heart shaped leaves (often come with many variegations) and emerald green hue. It can also be grown indoor and outdoor, but only when all of its requirements are met.

About Pothos in General

This Epipremnum Aureum plant enjoys high humidity and warm temperatures. In the US, this plant can only survive outdoor when grown in southern Arizona, southern Florida, southern Texas, and some areas of California. It grows well in Hawaii too. If you live in areas other than those mentioned above, it would be wiser to grow the plant indoor.

When it comes to Pothos temperature tolerance, the plant has quite a pleasant flexibility. It can still thrive in low temperature, but it has its own limitation. If you want to ensure its best growth, you should place it in areas with high temperatures, but not with direct sunlight. Remember, high temperature isn’t the same as exposing the plant to excessive sunlight.

POTHOS Temperature Tolerance

So, what is Pothos plant temperature tolerance? The ideal temperature would be from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can survive the temperature below or above this range, but only up to a certain point.

There are different signs that suggest different reasons for your plant’s damage. In most cases, when the plant is suffering from too high temperature, its symptoms would be different from too low temperature.

What are the obvious signs that your plant is being exposed to too high temperature?

• Dried or brown tips on the leaves. It means that the air doesn’t have enough humidity. However, it’s also possible that the plant is being exposed to drastic temperature changes, which possibly happens when you place it in a room with AC and a heater. The Pothos temperature tolerance may not be versatile enough to deal with such drastic change.
• Curling leaves. The leaves’ long edges may curl, facing each other, making unappealing leaves appearance. It will also look droopy and wilted.
• Leaf discoloration. Healthy Pothos will generate emerald green leaves with specs of variegation. If you see any discoloration (typically brown patches), it may be exposed to drastic change in temperature.

Tolerance to Cold

What about cold and freeze? How cold can Pothos tolerate? Basically, the standard limit of Pothos temperature tolerance is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or around 10 degrees Celsius. The plant may live and survive, but it’s most likely dormant to survive the cold. Let’s not forget that it’s a tropical plant that appreciates warm temperature between 21 and 32 degrees Celsius.

At around 10 degrees Celsius, the plant may experience tissue damage and shock. Dormant phase is required so it will survive the harsh condition. However, if the plant isn’t strong enough, it’s possibly dying. Even when the temperature is set between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius, the plant will experience slow growth. It may live, but it may not show any growth sign. If you want your plant to be healthy and happy, the idea temperature should be from 21 to 32 degrees Celsius.

Cold Symptoms

Your Pothos temperature tolerancemay be failing if you see these signs on them:

• Droopy and limpy leaves. The vines and leaves may look droopy. They don’t look fresh or healthy at all.
• Curled leaves; typically dried off completely. When the temperature plummets, humidity will also go lower altogether. As a result, you have less moisture within the air. Pothos loves high humidity as they depend on the moisture (in the air) to maintain enough water level within their cells.
• Black markings. If you see some dark marks on the leaves, then it’s confirmed that your plant suffers from frost damage. They are pretty easy to spot because they are such a contrast to the normal emerald color. Black marking happens when the water within the (leaf) cells freeze. When it happens, the water will expand, destroying the cell walls and damaging the leaves. At this point, you won’t be able to ‘fix’ the leaves. They will wilt and finally fall off.

Dealing with the Frost Damage

When damage has been done, unfortunately, you won’t be able to save that affected part. There is still hope when you identify the damage soon enough. But when it’s already serious and badly damaged, you have no hope.

If you are lucky enough to spot the issue at the very early phase, there are some things to do:

• Remove it from cold and place it in a warmer spot. But don’t place it in an extremely hot area as the drastic temperature change may shock your plant.
• Provide enough moisture. Considering that your plant has been suffering from frost damage, it may have consumed up all of the remaining water. Water it just enough. Stop once you see water seeps out from the drainage holes.
• Give it time to recover. Different plant may need different time to heal, so don’t rush the process.
• Once you see the plant is recovering, you may want to cut off the affected parts. It is done to promote new growth and to prevent the affected parts from ‘infecting’ the healthy parts.

Caring for Your Pothos

• If you grow your Pothos outdoor, it’s time to bring it indoor – unless you live in a tropical climate. If you do, then having the plant outside is considered safe because you will never have to deal with the cold or the frost.
• Adjust your watering habit. Don’t water it when the soil is still moist. During winter months, you may have to water your plant even lesser, so check the soil first.

Final Words

This plant is quite strong and tough, but not when exposed to extreme situation. Despite its flexible Pothos temperature tolerance, you still need to pay careful attention to the correct caring system. read article about Philodendron Birkin Reverting: What Causes It And How To Prevent It? and Rubber Plant Leaves Curling: Reasons, Solutions, And Handle in pandan creamery