How to Grow Pothos in Aquarium?

Every one of us knows the benefit of having live plants in an aquarium. They help with a lot of things which help make a life for the fishes ideal. They help with oxygenation, and filtration and gives a good look to your tank.

Out of all the plants you can keep in your aquarium, Pothos is one of the most ideal choices. Pothos is a great plant to have in an aquarium and comes along with a lot of benefits for an aquarium. 

What is the Pothos plant?

The Pothos plant might be a good plant for an aquarium but it is not an aquatic plant. It is one of the hardiest plants in existence. It can survive extreme conditions.

Its capability of surviving in extremely low light conditions is fascinating. Although it is not a safe plant for your cats and dogs. It proves to be harmful to them if they eat it. But in an aquarium, it is completely harmless as it is not toxic for fish at all.

Benefits of Growing Pothos in Your Aquarium

Pothos are an essential plant to have in an aquarium. They bring in a lot of benefits to the aquarium and proves to be good for an aquarium. So lets get on to the benefits that it brings to the aquarium. 

Oxygenation

Pothos plant is good in oxygenating your plant. All the live plants are capable of this feat as they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Although Pothos plants are efficient in this than most of the aquarium plants. 

Controls algae 

Algae is one of those things that has developed unwantedness in every aquarist. They make your tank appear filthy with their slimy green appearance.

Not just appearance, they grow by taking in nutrients so pose a lack of nutrients and high levels of nitrates. Pothos plant helps with the control of algae levels in an aquarium.

These plants are excellent in taking in the ammonia and nitrates and nutrients from the water column. It takes in all the stuffs that help in the growth of algae and therefore are efficient controllers of algae. 

Reduces Ammonia and Nitrates

Nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all toxic substances that come majorly from fish waste. All these substances are harmful to your fish and can even kill your fish. Having live plants in an aquarium helps in lowering these chemicals as plants can absorb ammonia and nitrates. 

Pothos is excellent at absorbing these chemicals. They can absorb nitrates at a much higher rate than most plants. So get Pothos if you want to lower the ammonia and nitrates in your aquarium. 

Strong Plant 

The Pothos plant roots are very strong. This means that the fishes will have a hard time nibbling on it, so the fishes will strive away from that idea. So the plant has fewer chances of dying from being eaten by fish and this is one problem solved for you in taking care of it.

Protects fish fry 

The Pothos plant with its thick roots provides an excellent place for the fish fry to remain protected.

It has also a faster rate of growing speed and its roots start developing prior to everything. So it creates a labyrinth of roots where the fish babies can stay safe. 

How to grow Pothos in aquarium? 

As we already know that Pothos is a hardy plant and can withstand several extreme light conditions. Although, ideally, you must provide it with light as it can grow properly. Pothos grow ideally under temperature conditions of 60℉ to 86℉. 

To grow this plant in an aquarium, you must not submerge it totally under the water. As it is a non-aquatic plant, it won’t be able to get its nutrients while it is submerged.

The roots have to be submerged in the water, and the leaves have to be outside the vicinity of the water. 

So to grow Pothos in your aquarium? 

• First, you will have to get your hands on the Pothos plant. You can use cutting of these plants. The cutting then needs to be kept in a container with dechlorinated water and placed under sunlight. 

• Then you have to wait for the roots to develop. Wait for the roots to become as long as about 5 inches. Once the mentioned size is reached you can then move the plant to your aquarium. 

• When adding it to your aquarium you will need to only submerge its roots under the water and not the leaves and stalk. Fasten the plant in the desired way as its roots are only submerged. They give the plant ample light for it to grow. 

• It might take weeks for the plant to adjust to the new environment. The initial stages are governed by slow growth so don’t be alarmed. After 3 to 4 weeks it will begin growing rapidly. You only have to provide it with adequate light and must get plenty of nutrients from the water. 

Is Pothos plant safe for fishes? 

It must be troubling you as Pothos comes off as toxic for pets such as cats and dogs. You don’t need to worry, Pothos is not harmful to fish. There has been no case of fish being harmed in the presence of the Pothos plant.

Also, the Pothos plant is not fully submerged in the water, meaning fishes cant nibble on the leaves. Also, the roots of this plant are strong, so fishes think twice before deciding on munching on the roots.

Can Pothos grow when submerged underwater? 

As already mentioned, Pothos does not possess the characteristics of a typical aquatic plant. If the plant is submerged underwater, the leaves won’t be able to take in nutrients.

So, in the end, the leaves will wither away. The roots are what need to be submerged in the water. The roots of this plant can grow quickly and take in nutrients efficiently from the water.

Can you grow Pothos in Saltwater Aquarium? 

Pothos plants will die in a saltwater tank. Most plants can handle some saltwater on their leaves and stems, but placing the roots in saltwater causes the plant to dry.

Pothos plants can take a tiny quantity of salt in the water since they are resilient. For a short time, the plant may even endure high salt concentrations in the water. If the plant is submerged in saltwater for a lengthy period, it will die.

Problems with keeping Pothos in aquarium

• Everything has got its positive and negative effects. Well, Pothos has its flaws in keeping it in an aquarium. Even though with its benefits such as oxygenation, algae, and ammonia control in an aquarium, some things need attention. 
• The roots of this plant can grow quickly and become thick and dense. The roots will cover your whole aquarium in no time, and you will have to trim it from time to time.
• Now, as the roots become dense and grow fast, they can take in or absorb a lot of nutrients from the water.
• It comes as a problem if you have other plants in your aquarium. The Pothos plant can take all the nutrients, leading other plants to suffer from a lack of nutrients.

Other Non-Aquatic Aquarium Plants 

If you want non aquatic plants in your aquarium then Pothos is not the only option. There are other plants as well which prove to be fruitful in an aquarium. Some of them are – 

• Spider Plant
• English Ivy 
• Vining philodendron
• Lucky Bamboo 
• Syngonium
• Inch Plant 
• Peace Lily 

Pothos is a great non-aquatic plant to have in an aquarium. They provide a lot of benefits to your tank and might cut off some water changes with their ability to control nitrates.

They are also easy to grow but remember that the roots are the only part you must submerge in the water. It is also a hardy plant so there you don’t need to look at it all the time.

The only thing you have to pay attention to is its roots. The roots can grow fast and becomes dense as it grows. So you must trim it before it takes over the whole aquarium.