Small leaves on a Pothos are one of those things that creep up on you.
The plant looks fine at a glance, it’s not dying, but somewhere along the line the new growth started coming in noticeably smaller than the older leaves. Then smaller still. Then you’re producing leaves the size of a fingernail and wondering what went wrong.
Usually it’s the light. Sometimes it’s something else. Here’s how to tell.
Why Are My Pothos Leaves Getting Smaller?
Not Enough Light
This is the most common cause by a significant margin.
If you’re a Pothos beginner, improving the light should ALWAYS be first port of call. Light is basically plant food. Water is, you know water – everything loves that stuff. Soil and fertiliser are nice to have but will absolutely not make up for lack of light and watering issues.
When a Pothos isn’t getting enough light, it produces less energy through photosynthesis. Less energy means less investment in each new leaf. The plant is doing the best it can with what it’s got — it’s just not got much to work with.
If your plant is more than a metre or two from a window, or in a spot that gets little natural light, this is almost certainly your answer. Move it closer to a window and watch what happens to the next few leaves.
A grow light is a great option.
The Plant Is Trailing Rather Than Climbing
This one surprises people. In the wild, Pothos climb. As they climb higher, the leaves get bigger — some varieties produce leaves that are enormous compared to what you see on a trailing plant on a shelf. When a Pothos trails downward, the leaves tend to stay small.
If you want bigger leaves, give your plant something to climb — a moss pole, a piece of wood, a trellis. It won’t happen overnight, but the difference over time is significant.
Inconsistent Watering
A plant that swings between bone dry and waterlogged doesn’t have the stable conditions it needs to put energy into healthy growth.
Consistently small leaves alongside yellowing or wilting are a sign that watering needs sorting before anything else.
I’m a menace for letting my plants dry out too much. It’s not good for them and leads to smaller growth because the majority of the plant’s energy is going to regrowing the roots.
It’s Just A Small-Leafed Variety
FYI, some Pothos varieties naturally produce smaller leaves than others.
Njoy and Pearls and Jade stay fairly compact. If you bought a variety known for smaller leaves, that might just be what you’ve got — and it’s not a problem.
You absolutely can encourage these varieties to produce bigger leaves but they’ll likely need a moss pole that you keep very well maintained.
I love a big moss pole as much as the next person (did that sound rude? We’ll move on) but I simply can’t bothered with the maintenance. Kratiste poles all the way!
How Do I Get My Pothos To Grow Bigger Leaves?
Move it closer to a window first. That solves it in the majority of cases. If light genuinely isn’t an option, a grow light on a timer will do the same job.
If the light is already good, give it something to climb. A moss pole is the classic option — the aerial roots will attach over time and the plant will reward you with progressively larger leaves as it goes up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Pothos leaves so small?
Almost always a light issue. Move it closer to a window and watch whether the next few leaves come in larger. If light isn’t the problem, check whether it’s trailing rather than climbing — climbing produces much bigger leaves.
Can small Pothos leaves grow bigger?
The existing small leaves won’t change, but new growth will come in larger once conditions improve. Give it a few weeks after moving it to better light before expecting to see a difference.
Do Pothos leaves get bigger as the plant matures?
On a climbing plant, yes — significantly. Trailing Pothos tend to stay smaller regardless of age. If you want larger leaves, give it a moss pole or something else to climb.
Could small leaves mean my Pothos needs fertiliser?
Possibly, but sort the light out first. Fertilising a plant that isn’t getting enough light is like feeding someone who’s exhausted and telling them to run a marathon. Fix the basics first.