Watering schedule

How often to water Pothos 'Shangri La' (Epipremnum aureum 'Shangri La') — the schedule

Also called Sleeping Pothos, Curly Leaf Pothos.

More about pothos 'shangri la'

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-12 days
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically every 7-12 days.
Autumn	Autumn: growth slows, so stretch the interval and let it dry a little more between waterings.
Winter	Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.
Light	Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)

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.

Ideal humidity: 40-60%

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.

The watering schedule, season by season

Pothos 'Shangri La' likes a soak-then-partly-dry rhythm — let the top of the soil dry before watering again, and never leave it standing in water. The base rhythm for pothos 'shangri la' is when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-12 days, but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Spring & summer (active growth): Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically every 7-12 days.
Autumn (slowing down): Autumn: growth slows, so stretch the interval and let it dry a little more between waterings.
Winter (rest / dormancy): Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.

Water thoroughly until it drains, then let the top third of the mix dry out. The curled leaves hide early thirst, so check the soil rather than the foliage. Overwatering and soggy roots are the main killer.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for pothos 'shangri la' in seconds.

How to tell pothos 'shangri la' needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water pothos 'shangri la'. Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The top 2-3 cm of soil is dry to the touch (or a knuckle-deep finger test comes back dry).
Lifting the pot, it feels distinctly light.
Leaves droop slightly or lose a little of their gloss just before they truly need water.

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering pothos 'shangri la' for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering pothos 'shangri la'

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For pothos 'shangri la' specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Yellowing lower leaves and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days.
Soft, brown, mushy stems or a sour soil smell — root rot.
Fungus gnats breeding in permanently damp soil.

Signs you are underwatering

Drooping, curling leaves with crispy brown edges that perk up after watering.
The rootball shrinks away from the pot and water runs straight down the sides.
Slow growth and a generally tired, washed-out look.

Watering pothos 'shangri la' on a fixed weekly calendar regardless of season is the most common mistake — in dim winter light the same routine drowns it. Check the soil, not the date.

Water quality notes

Tap water is generally fine for pothos 'shangri la'. If your water is very hard and you see brown leaf tips, switch to filtered or rainwater.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For pothos 'shangri la', the levers that matter most are:

More light and warmth speed drying; the brighter the spot, the shorter the real interval.
Pot size and material matter — small terracotta pots dry far faster than large glazed or plastic ones.
Lifting the pot to feel its weight is more reliable than any calendar for judging when to water.

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of pothos 'shangri la'.

Pothos 'Shangri La' watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water pothos 'shangri la'?

Water pothos 'shangri la' when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-12 days. Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically every 7-12 days. Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.

How do I know when pothos 'shangri la' needs water?

The top 2-3 cm of soil is dry to the touch (or a knuckle-deep finger test comes back dry). Lifting the pot, it feels distinctly light. Leaves droop slightly or lose a little of their gloss just before they truly need water. The single most reliable test for pothos 'shangri la' is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered pothos 'shangri la' look like?

Yellowing lower leaves and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days. Soft, brown, mushy stems or a sour soil smell — root rot. Fungus gnats breeding in permanently damp soil. Watering pothos 'shangri la' on a fixed weekly calendar regardless of season is the most common mistake — in dim winter light the same routine drowns it. Check the soil, not the date.

What are the signs of an underwatered pothos 'shangri la'?

Drooping, curling leaves with crispy brown edges that perk up after watering. The rootball shrinks away from the pot and water runs straight down the sides. Slow growth and a generally tired, washed-out look.

Can I use tap water on pothos 'shangri la'?