As Jane Austen might have observed, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a pothos plant in possession of long vines must be in want of leaves.”
Allow me to elucidate the eight reasons your pothos may be experiencing such a peculiar predicament and proffer solutions to restore its verdant splendor.
The 8 Reasons Why Your Pothos is Growing Vines With No Leaves

1. Not Pruning
Much like the tangled romances of high society, a pothos vine with no leaves often finds itself in such a state due to a lack of proper pruning.
Regularly attending to your plant with sanitized shears, and trimming back overgrown vines just below a node, shall encourage bushier growth and prevent the lamentable condition of pothos vines no leaves.
Moreover, consider propagating the cuttings, bestowing new life to your collection.
2. Nutrient Deficiency
Akin to the pangs of unrequited love, a pothos vine growing but no leaves may be quietly suffering from a nutrient deficiency. Yellowing or pale leaves bespeak of this malady.
Fortify your plant with a gentle offering of liquid fish or kelp fertilizer or perhaps a slow-release granular fertilizer or high-quality compost. But take care not to overwhelm your beloved pothos with excess nutrients.
3. Overwatering
As torrents of rain may dampen a fine summer day, overwatering can bring ruin to a pothos long vines no leaves. Root rot and leaf loss are the harbingers of such a misfortune.
To remedy the situation, ensure proper drainage by repotting your plant in a container replete with drainage holes. Utilize a well-draining soil mix, such as one containing perlite, and exercise restraint, watering only when the top 2-3″ of soil are dry.
4. Pest Infestations
Uninvited guests are never welcome, whether at a ball or upon one’s pothos vine with no leaves. Mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites plague these plants, causing leaves to fall and vines to wither.
Address these vexing intruders by wiping leaves with a damp cloth, using neem oil for mealybugs and scale insects, or gently spraying spider mites away with water.
5. Inadequate Light
A pothos with no leaves is a plant languishing in darkness, like a heart bereft of love. Although pothos is known to endure low-light conditions, they do require a fair share of indirect sunlight to flourish.
Relocate your plant to a spot near a window, where it may bask in 4-8 hours of bright, indirect light daily. An LED grow light may supplement natural light if needed.
6. Temperature & Humidity
A delicate balance of temperature and humidity is as essential to your pothos vines’ leaves as wit and grace are to a perfect retort. Maintain temperatures between 60°F and 80°F (15°C to 27°C), avoiding drafts and sudden fluctuations.
Humidity levels between 40-60% are preferable, which can be achieved using a humidifier or a pebble tray.
7. Root Bound
A pothos plant long vines with no leaves may be constrained by its roots, much like societal expectations limit the choices of our dear protagonists.
Examine the plant’s roots for signs of being root-bound, and if necessary, repot your pothos into a larger container with fresh, well-draining soil. Gently loosen the root ball before planting, and water thoroughly.
8. Diseases
The specter of disease casts a shadow over even the hardiest pothos long stem not leaves. Bacterial and fungal infections can lead to leaf yellowing, wilting, and loss.
Prevent these afflictions by ensuring proper air circulation, avoiding overwatering, and promptly removing affected leaves.
If an infection is suspected, apply a fungicide or bactericide according to the product’s instructions and monitor the plant vigilantly for signs of recurring infection.
Sources
POTHOS (EPIPREMNUM AUREUM) DISEASES: IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL IN COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP340
N. (2023, March 24). 8 Reasons for a Pothos Vine With No Leaves + Easy Solutions. Nature of Home. https://natureofhome.com/pothos-vine-with-no-leaves/