Where should I put my Pothos?

Any room with at least one window — pothos is famously adaptable. Bathrooms and kitchens are excellent because of the higher humidity. Best window direction: East- or north-facing window, or 6–8 feet from a south window. Best distance: 4–8 feet from any bright window (indirect light). Target light: 100–500 fc (low to moderate).

What temperature does a Pothos need?

Pothos prefers 65–85°F (18–29°C).

Placement · Pothos

Where to Put Your Pothos

Any room with at least one window — pothos is famously adaptable. Bathrooms and kitchens are excellent because of the higher humidity.

Best window

East- or north-facing window, or 6–8 feet from a south window

Distance from window

4–8 feet from any bright window (indirect light)

Target light

100–500 fc (low to moderate)

Room temperature

65–85°F (18–29°C)

What to avoid

Direct afternoon sun on a south- or west-facing window (bleaches leaves), and any spot below 55°F in winter

Most common placement mistake

Putting variegated pothos (Marble Queen, N'Joy, Manjula) in low light — variegation fades or reverts to all-green. Variegated cultivars need bright indirect light, not low light.

How to measure light at home

A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a free smartphone app like Light Meter or with a $20 digital light meter. As reference points:

50\u2013100 fc: A bright corner away from any window — most low-light tolerant plants only
100\u2013400 fc: A few feet from a north or east window — medium light
400\u20131000 fc: Right next to a bright east window or 3\u20136 feet from a south window — bright indirect
1000+ fc: Directly in a south or west window — full sun, only suitable for succulents and high-light tropicals

Source: NC State Extension

For full Pothos care — watering schedule, fertilizing, pests, and propagation — see the Pothos care guide. Or check out how big Pothos gets.