Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to keep alive. It’s a tropical plant, so it likes the warmth of an indoor setting. It’s a trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves and can grow up to six to ten feet in length.

Pothos will tolerate low light and humidity, so it’s pretty easy to satisfy this plant and maintain it. However, for a healthier growth, give it bright (but not direct) sunlight and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

In addition, you’ll want to choose a well-draining potting soil. If your Pothos has pale leaves, it’s probably getting too much sun, whereas if you start to notice the appearance of differently colored zones within the leaves, it means it’s getting too little.

If it starts getting a little leggy, just prune it back to shape it and control the length.

Note: Pothos and philodendron plants are often confused. Pothos stems are grooved, while philodendron stems aren’t. New philodendron leaves have a sheath that dries and falls off; pothos doesn’t have this sheath.

Pothos also like brighter light and warmer temperatures than philodendrons. You’ll often see pothos sold in hanging baskets.

Tip: They aren’t heavy feeders, so fertilize monthly to bi-monthly during the growing season.

Because it removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, commonly found in fresh paint, you often see this plant in offices or living rooms. However, it also absorbs carbon monoxide, so it’s a good choice for a bedroom as well.

And Pothos also absorbs xylene and trichloroethylene.

Word of Caution: This plant causes oral irritation and difficulty swallowing in pets, so make sure your dog or cat doesn’t chew on the leaves or stems.