Cold Damage on pothos
What's Happening
Pothos are tropical plants native to warm, humid environments and suffer chilling injury when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). Cold damage appears as water-soaked, dark brown or black spots that later dry and become papery. This commonly occurs from winter drafts, proximity to cold windows, or outdoor exposure during temperature drops. Unlike disease spots, cold damage often affects entire leaves or leaf sections exposed to the cold source.
How to Fix It
- 1
Move to stable temperature: Relocate away from cold windows, doors, and drafts
- 2
Remove damaged tissue: Trim affected leaves once damage stops spreading (wait 1-2 weeks)
- 3
Check for secondary infection: Cold-weakened tissue is vulnerable to bacterial/fungal invasion—apply preventive copper spray if needed
- 4
Maintain warmth: Keep above 65°F (18°C) consistently during recovery
- 5
Avoid overwatering: Cold + wet is lethal combination—let soil dry more between waterings
How to Prevent It
Maintain temperatures above 60°F (15°C) year-round. Position away from cold windows in winter (move 3+ feet back). Never place near exterior doors or air conditioning vents. Avoid outdoor exposure below 55°F.
Related Problems
Same Problem on Other Plants
Go Deeper
This is covered in-depth in the pothos Mastery Pack — structured modules with video walkthroughs, advanced protocols, and rescue timelines.
Get the Mastery Pack — $37 →