Can Pothos Plants Live Underwater

Pothos plants cannot live fully underwater, but they can thrive in water with their roots submerged and leaves above.
 
If you’ve been asking can pothos plants live underwater, the short answer is no if you mean completely submerged.
 
Many houseplant lovers grow pothos in water for months or years, as long as the leaves stay dry and the roots get oxygen.
 
The question pothos plants live underwater often confuses people because pothos is sold as a hydroponic option.
 
In this post, we’ll cover why pothos plants can’t stay fully underwater, how to keep them healthy in water, and what happens if you submerge them completely.
 
Let’s dive into the truth about pothos and water.
 

Can Pothos Plants Live Underwater Fully Submerged

The simple truth is that pothos plants cannot live underwater when their leaves and stems are completely submerged.
 
Here’s why putting pothos underwater entirely leads to problems:
 

1. Pothos Need Air Exchange at the Leaves

Pothos plants have leaves designed to breathe air through tiny pores called stomata.
 
When you place pothos underwater, those pores get blocked and the leaves can’t exchange gases.
 
This causes the leaves to rot and die within a few days to a week.
 
So if you’re wondering can pothos plants live underwater with their leaves submerged, the answer is no.
 

2. Roots Must Have Dissolved Oxygen

Even pothos roots grown in water need dissolved oxygen to survive.
 
Stagnant water with low oxygen causes root rot, which kills the plant.
 
When the entire plant is underwater, the roots suffocate faster because no fresh oxygen reaches them.
 
That’s why pothos live underwater only if you change the water regularly and keep the leaves above the surface.
 

3. Stems and Nodes Rot Without Air

Pothos stems contain air spaces that help transport oxygen from leaves to roots.
 
If the whole stem is submerged, those air spaces fill with water and rot sets in.
 
The nodes where new roots and leaves grow are especially sensitive to constant moisture.
 
So for pothos plants live underwater long term, you must keep at least the stem joints above the water line.
 

How to Grow Pothos in Water the Right Way

Even though pothos cannot live fully underwater, you can absolutely keep them alive in water for years.
 
Follow these steps to grow pothos in water without killing it:
 

1. Use a Vase or Jar That Supports the Leaves

Choose a container that lets the roots sit in water while the stems and leaves stay dry.
 
A narrow neck or a jar with pebbles can hold the plant upright so only the roots are submerged.
 
This setup mimics how pothos plants live underwater in the sense that roots are in water, but leaves are in air.
 

2. Change the Water Every 5 to 7 Days

Stale water breeds bacteria and uses up oxygen.
 
By swapping the water weekly, you give the roots fresh dissolved oxygen.
 
If you see algae or cloudy water, change it sooner because pothos underwater in dirty water will rot.
 

3. Add Liquid Fertilizer Every Month

Pothos in water don’t get nutrients from soil, so you need to feed them.
 
Use a diluted all-purpose liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
 
This keeps the leaves green and the stems strong when your pothos plants live underwater in a hydroponic setup.
 

4. Provide Bright Indirect Light

Pothos need light to photosynthesize, even in water.
 
Place your jar near a window that gets bright but filtered sunlight.
 
Direct sun can cook the roots, while too little light stops growth if the pothos live underwater in a dark corner.
 

What Happens If You Submerge Pothos Completely

Some aquarium enthusiasts try to grow pothos underwater in fish tanks, but it rarely works long term.
 
Here’s what goes wrong when you force pothos plants live underwater with no air exposure:
 

1. Leaves Melt Within Two Weeks

The submerged leaves turn yellow, then brown, then mushy.
 
This is called melting, and it’s a sign the plant is drowning.
 
Even though the roots might survive a while, the leaves can’t recover if they stay underwater.
 

2. Stems Become Slime Covered

Without air circulation, a biofilm of bacteria and fungi grows on the stems.
 
This slime blocks the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and oxygen.
 
So pothos live underwater in a fully submerged state eventually die from infection.
 

3. No New Growth Occurs

Pothos need to produce new leaves above water to keep growing.
 
When fully underwater, the growth points rot, and the plant stops making leaves.
 
The existing leaves can’t photosynthesize efficiently either due to the water blocking light.
 

So, Can Pothos Plants Live Underwater

Pothos plants cannot live underwater in the sense of being completely submerged.
 
They need their leaves and stems above the water line to breathe and survive.
 
However, pothos can live in water as a hydroponic plant if only their roots are submerged.
 
If you’ve been wondering can pothos plants live underwater long term, the answer is yes only when set up correctly with roots in water and leaves in air.
 
Growing pothos in a vase or jar is a beautiful way to enjoy this easy houseplant.
 
Just remember to keep the leaves dry and change the water often.
 
Hope this post helped clear up the question of pothos plants live underwater and how to care for them in water.