Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pothos 'Shangri La' (Epipremnum aureum 'Shangri La')

Also called Sleeping Pothos, Curly Leaf Pothos.

More about pothos 'shangri la'

About Pothos 'Shangri La'

Epipremnum aureum 'Shangri La' · also called Sleeping Pothos, Curly Leaf Pothos · houseplant

Pothos 'Shangri La' is a sport of golden pothos whose leaves curl and fold inward, giving a sleepy, ruffled look. It is a forgiving trailing aroid that tolerates low light, dries between waterings, and roots readily in water. Slower and more compact than common pothos, it suits shelves, hanging pots, and beginner growers.

Mature size: Vines reach 1-2 m indoors over time, with leaves 5-10 cm long; stays denser and shorter than common pothos.

Watch for — Yellowing leaves: Usually overwatering or soggy roots; let the top third of the mix dry between waterings and ensure the pot drains freely.

How to tell pothos 'shangri la' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For pothos 'shangri la', watch for these signs:

Roots poking out of the drainage holes or coiling visibly around the inside of the pot.
You are watering far more often than you used to because the rootball dries out within a day or two.
Water runs straight through and out the bottom without soaking in.
Top growth has slowed or new pothos 'shangri la' leaves are noticeably smaller than older ones despite good light.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot pothos 'shangri la'

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast. Pothos 'Shangri La''s growth habit — trailing and vining aroid with curled, inward-folding leaves; climbs with support or cascades from a hanging pot. more compact and slower-growing than standard golden pothos. — sets the pace. Pothos 'Shangri La' is a sport of golden pothos whose leaves curl and fold inward, giving a sleepy, ruffled look. It is a forgiving trailing aroid that tolerates low light, dries between waterings, and roots readily in water. Slower and more compact than common pothos, it suits shelves, hanging pots, and beginner growers.

What size pot to step pothos 'shangri la' up to

Step up one pot size — about 2–3 cm (an inch) wider. Pothos 'Shangri La' grows fast, so it will fill that space within a season, but jumping several sizes at once still backfires: the unused soil stays soggy and rots even a vigorous root system. One size at a time, every year or so, is the rhythm.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot pothos 'shangri la'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for pothos 'shangri la'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting pothos 'shangri la'

Time it for spring. Repot pothos 'shangri la' in early spring as growth restarts so it re-roots quickly into the fresh soil.
Choose one size up. Pick a pot about 2–3 cm wider with drainage holes. One step only — a much bigger pot stays soggy and rots roots.
Ease the plant out. Water lightly the day before, then tip pothos 'shangri la' out and gently loosen any roots circling the bottom of the rootball.
Repot at the same depth. Put a layer of fresh well-draining aroid mix in the new pot, set the plant so its soil line is unchanged, and backfill, firming lightly.
Water and pause feeding. Water once to settle the soil. Hold off fertiliser for about a month — fresh mix already has nutrients and feeding now burns new roots.

Aftercare

Water pothos 'shangri la' once to settle the soil, then let the surface dry before watering again — fresh mix around the roots stays wetter than the old compacted ball, so the commonest post-repot mistake is overwatering. Keep it out of direct sun for a week or two while roots re-establish. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for pothos 'shangri la'

Pothos 'Shangri La' wants well-draining aroid mix. Use a chunky, airy blend of potting soil with orchid bark, perlite and a little coco coir. Good drainage and a pot with holes prevent the root rot this plant is prone to in dense, water-retentive mixes. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting pothos 'shangri la' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pothos 'shangri la'?

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast for pothos 'shangri la'. Repot pothos 'shangri la' roughly every 12–18 months, in early spring as growth restarts. It grows fast and circles its pot quickly, so step up one size (about 2–3 cm wider) into fresh well-draining aroid mix. Don't jump several sizes — that soggy excess soil is what rots vigorous roots.

What size pot does pothos 'shangri la' need?

When is the best time of year to repot pothos 'shangri la'?

Can you put pothos 'shangri la' straight into a much bigger pot?

No. Even a fast-growing pothos 'shangri la' should only go up one pot size at a time. A vastly oversized pot holds a reservoir of wet soil the roots cannot reach, which stays cold and soggy and rots the roots — the opposite of what you wanted.

Should you fertilise pothos 'shangri la' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting pothos 'shangri la'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.