If you’ve positioned your Pothos near a window that doesn’t quite seal properly, or by a front door that lets in a blast of cold air every time someone opens it, you may be wondering if you’re slowly killing it.
You’re almost certainly not. But here’s what’s actually happening, and whether it’s worth moving the plant.
Do Pothos Mind Cold Draughts?
Not especially.
Compared to a lot of houseplants — anything in the Calathea family, for instance, which will write you a strongly worded letter if the temperature fluctuates a degree or two — Pothos are pretty unbothered by the odd cold draught.
That said, it’s not ideal.
I’ve noticed that my Pothos near windows in winter tend to look a lil sadder than the ones further into the room.
I think the combination of cold air from the glass and the occasional draught creates a slightly less comfortable microclimate than the rest of the house.
If your plant is otherwise healthy and you don’t have a better spot for it, a draughty-ish window is fine. It’s not a crisis.
What Can Cold Draughts Actually Do To Pothos?
Stress hormone signalling
Plants under stress — including temperature stress from cold air — release hormones that can attract pests. It’s not guaranteed, and a slightly draughty spot won’t automatically result in a spider mite infestation. But if your Pothos is near a cold draught and you’re noticing pests, the two things may be connected.
Minor leaf imperfections.
Cold air moving over new unfurling leaves can cause small marks or imperfections as the leaf develops.
These are permanent — leaves don’t heal — but they’re also cosmetic.
We’re talking about the odd small blemish, not dramatic damage. If your Pothos looks a bit rough around the edges but is otherwise growing fine, a draught is a plausible culprit and not something to spiral about.
Why Are My Pothos Leaves Curling?
Should You Move Your Pothos Away From A Draught?
If you have a better spot available — warmer, equally bright, away from cold air — then yes, move it.
Pothos grow noticeably faster in consistently warm conditions, and removing a source of stress is always worth doing if it’s easy.
But if the draughty window is also the brightest spot in the room, stay put. Light is more important to your Pothos than draught-free air. A well-lit plant in a slightly draughty spot will outperform a warm, cosy plant in a dim corner every time.
Pothos Humidity: What You Need To Know (And Why Misting Does Nothing)
Can You Do Anything To Reduce Draught Damage?
If you’re particularly attached to a specific spot and want to mitigate the cold air, a cloche — a clear glass or plastic cover placed over the plant — can help create a slightly warmer, more stable microclimate around it. It’s a bit niche, but it works.
(I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again cloche/terrarium is the only plant hack worthy of the name).
Improving the window seal itself is obviously the more permanent solution, but that’s probably a bigger project than your Pothos warrants.
FAQ
Can cold draughts kill Pothos?
Unlikely. Cold draughts can cause stress, slow growth, and minor leaf imperfections, but they’re very unlikely to kill a Pothos on their own. If temperatures near the window drop to actual frost levels, that’s a different matter — but a normal draughty window in a heated home won’t be fatal.
What are the signs a Pothos is too cold?
Slowed or stopped growth, yellowing leaves, and small imperfections on new leaves can all indicate cold stress. If the plant is near a window in winter and suddenly looks worse, temperature and draught are worth considering as causes.
Where’s the best place to put a Pothos in winter?
Away from cold windows and exterior walls if possible, in the warmest, brightest spot available. A spot that works well in summer may become too cold and draughty once the temperature drops outside.