As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can assure you that pothos is a relatively hardy plant and can tolerate periods of drought. However, it does have its limits, especially when it comes to being deprived of water for an extended period of time.
Pothos plants are known for their ability to store water in their leaves and stems, which helps them survive in low-water conditions. This feature makes them more forgiving when it comes to occasional neglect or forgetfulness in watering. In fact, pothos plants can often go without water for around 7 to 10 days without suffering any major damage.
During this time, the plant will start to deplete the stored water reserves in its leaves and stems. The leaves may begin to wilt and lose their firmness, indicating that the plant is becoming stressed and in need of water. If the drought continues beyond the 10-day mark, the plant’s ability to recover becomes increasingly compromised.
After about 2 weeks without water, the leaves will continue to wilt and may even turn yellow or brown. The plant’s growth will slow down significantly as it redirects its limited resources to essential functions and attempts to conserve energy. At this point, the plant is in survival mode, and its overall health and vigor will continue to deteriorate.
Past the 3 to 4 week mark, without any water, the pothos plant will likely die. The roots, which are confined to a potted container, will have exhausted all their water reserves and will be unable to absorb any moisture from the surrounding soil. The leaves will become completely desiccated, and the plant will no longer be able to recover even if watered at this stage.
It is important to note that the duration a pothos plant can survive without water can vary depending on various factors, such as the size of the plant, the temperature and humidity levels in its environment, and the overall health and vigor of the plant. However, it is always best to provide regular watering to keep the plant healthy and thriving.
In my personal experience, I have seen pothos plants bounce back from periods of neglect and lack of water, but only if the duration was relatively short. It is always better to err on the side of caution and provide regular watering to ensure the plant’s well-being. Setting a watering schedule or using moisture meters can help prevent any unintentional neglect and keep your pothos plant happy and healthy.
