How Often Should You Change the Water for Plants Like Pothos?

5 July 2025 3 answers
Asked by NatureLover42
I have a few strands of pothos in a vase on my desk at work, and I'm just topping off the water as needed. The water is clear and has no smell, but I'm wondering if I should be dumping it out and refilling it regularly instead. What's the best practice for keeping plants like this healthy?

Answers

WaterWizard101
If your plant is in water for a long time, consider using hydroponic fertilizer because regular liquid fertilizers won't cut it. I mostly just top off the water unless I see dirt or cloudy stuff in it. Generally, swapping it out occasionally can be helpful, especially to prevent salt buildup from evaporation.

EcoFriendlyGal: I've been using General Hydroponics FloraGro too, just a few drops a month, and my plants have loved it!

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GreenThumb99
I've read that you should change the water every couple of weeks, but honestly, who remembers to do that? I usually just change it when it starts looking a bit dirty. If you’re using any fertilizers, that can sometimes leave deposits too, so keep an eye out for that.

PlantEnthusiast: Yeah, that makes sense. I try to do the same and just change it when it looks off.

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CuriousBotanist
I think it really depends on the plant. For pothos and tradescantias, they seem pretty resilient. I notice my plants stop growing fast if I don't change the water occasionally. Sometimes I only swap the water out if I see the roots slowing down or if things start to turn green, indicating algae or bacteria growth.
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