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Why Is My Pothos Leaves Turning Black [Reasons and Solutions? 

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To all the plant owners in the world, a very frightening circumstance is leaves turning black. Some plants may have them due to humidity and temperature. But turning Pothos leaves black could be something severe. 

So, what are the reasons behind Pothos Leaves Turning Black

The roots will decay, causing the leaves of the plant to darken and causing the plant to die. If a plant absorbs too much sun, this can result in darkening and wilting of the leaves. Another excuse may be that your Pothos is not getting enough water.

This is not everything you should know. You should understand the reasons in detail, along with the solutions. 

Now, let’s get started with the reasons first-

Reasons Why Pothos Leaves Turning Black [Along with Solutions]

Seeing your beautiful Pothos turning black is very frustrating. It also pisses you off, right?

Sometimes, the black leaves are signs of a plant’s physical or biochemical condition. For several reasons, Pot, hos houseplant leaves can turn black. If the plant grows in very little light, or has an erratic watering schedule, or sits in the water and is at the start of root rot, it may develop black spots on its leaves.

To help you, we’ve explained the reasons and their solutions-

Faulty in applying fertilization

If you are applying fertilizer in the wrong way, it will ensure that you will have black leaves of your pothos. 

Pothos require nutrients like other plants to survive. But it will damage your pothos if you overdo the fertilizer application. Leaves that turn black are an example of burning fertilizer.

No frequent fertilizer applications are expected in your potted pothos. Once every 2-3 months, add the fertilizer from spring to autumn.

Via fertilization, growth can decrease, and plants become frail and vulnerable to pests and illnesses. It may also cause the plant to die ultimately.

Indications of over-fertilization include stunted growth, margins of dry or burnt leaves, wilting, collapse, or plant death. “Burning” is the most significant danger to fertilizers.

Fertilizers have high concentrations of various salts, and in a process called reverse osmosis, can strip humidity from their roots.

The reverse osmosis will occur when the soil’s salt concentration is more significant than what is present on the plant, and the plant will be at risk of chemical burns and dehydration.

Just follow the instructions of the usage of fertilizations according to your plant.

Solution 

So the questions here should be how you can save your plants from over or faulty fertilization? 

The solution for this problem is straightforward, actually. First, always try to use organic fertilization. As it comes from nature, it will be nature friendly.  

If you have to use chemical fertilizers, you should be careful about how much and where you are using it and how much of it you are using. Always put it in a few distances from the plant.  In this way, the plant won’t be affected by the fertilizers directly. 

Here we have discussed two kinds of fertilizers best for your Pothos and how to use them –

Fertilizer  How To Use
Commercial fertilizer A well-functioning mixture is 7-3-6. This helps you to appreciate the increased nitrogen (7) and potassium concentrations in this fertilizer (6). Phosphorus remains in the third concentration position (3). A healthy blend of 15-15-15 is preferred by many gardeners.
Homemade fertilizer Casual compost is, without doubt, one of the most popular organic fertilizers used in the home. This fertilizer can be made from California worms conveniently in the same way. You can still use water when you scrub it if you have an aquarium tank at home.

Over or Underwatering

If you have the appropriate amount of water, the plants may go a far toward. They’re going to send you signals they’re hurting, anyway.

A lot of irrigation is necessary for pothos. At least 2 to 3 days a week, they have to be watered.

Perhaps you would water the plant more If you live in a dry setting. Or where the mean temperature in winter is between 28 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. And in summer 69-78 degrees. Moreover, though, every morning we mean watering the garden.

You would not overwater the plant in this manner. Furthermore, if you don’t know, the plant’s roots could rot if too much is watered. This leads to violet flowers.

It is essential to track the soil again before watering. Since watering periodically increases the risk of black leaves if the irrigation system is low.

Solution

Now don’t panic if you’ve rubbed the plant during irrigation! Think now about how the plant should be handled!

Well, you have to decide first of all.

If the plant has been under or overwatered. You have overwatered the plant if the ground is pretty wet. And it couldn’t consume anything.

Lift the plant then and place it in another bowl or jar. At least 3-4 drainage trousers must be in the pot. Be a little careful after replanting. Dump the water because of that.

Test the soil until you are confident that all water is drained. To see whether the ground is damp or not, use a moisture meter. You will begin to water again if it is dryer.

Okay, if it’s scorched, when you hit the dirt, this suggests that you did not provide sufficient water. Your plants are waiting for something to live on.

So start supplying your plant with water fast. Water before you see the drainage holes pop out of the pot. Then let the Pothos soak its roots in water.

Insufficient or Too Much Lighting

Light is essential for plants, of course, but what if it gets insufficient- 

In that case, the plant will not produce enough nutrition in itself, and as a result, its leaves will turn black. So you have to make sure that you place it somewhere it can get enough light to keep itself healthy and alive.

On the other hand, pothos is very sensitive to light. If it is exposed to too much sunlight, the heat may burn the leaves or dry up the soil too fast, which will result in black leaves. 

Attack of Pests

One of the most common problems that plant owners face is the attack of pests.  The common pests that may appear on pothos are mealybugs and spider mites. There are natural remedies that can help eliminate these insects.

A healthy pothos doesn’t attract bugs. However, if proper conditions are not provided to the plant, bug infestation is relatively high.

The insects will most probably eat out from the middle of the leaves. THen due to heat or cold, the leaves will turn black and literally die. 

Solution

To avoid the pests multiplying in your plants, first separate the ivy from other healthy plants. Spread the injured leaves to avoid a shock for the vine.

Sprinkle the pothos with horticultural oil to destroy mealybugs. It also acts to remove many other plant pests, such as insect scales—horticultural oil blocks mealybugs from the porous ventilation holes that suffocate them.

Any infestations of mealybugs can include insecticides. However, today you will find insecticides that are less harmful than were marketed years ago. This way, you won’t be harming the plant. But you’ll be able to remove the insects. We suggest using rubbing alcohol on the affected area. 

In this way, you can quickly get rid of plant pests.

FAQs: 

  • What is the appearance of a pothos that has been overwatered? 

Overwatering is likely to cause a mixture of yellow and brown on the same leaf.

  • How can I say if my pothos plant has root rot? 

Yellowing leaves on a pothos can suggest root rot.

  • Can pothos regrow after being cut?

After you prune, your pothos will send out a new vine at the point where the leaf meets the vine, which is known as a node.

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