Growing Pothos in Aquarium

Can You Grow Pothos in an Aquarium?

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Devil’s Ivy, is widely loved for its trailing vines, air-purifying reputation, and ability to survive in almost any indoor condition. But did you know that this versatile houseplant can also thrive in aquariums? Yes — pothos can grow with its roots submerged in water, making it a unique and beneficial addition to your freshwater aquarium setup.

The idea of growing pothos in an aquarium has surged in popularity in recent years, especially among aquascaping hobbyists and fishkeepers seeking natural, low-maintenance ways to boost water quality and create a lush visual effect. Unlike typical aquatic plants that grow entirely underwater, pothos grows with its roots submerged while the leaves remain above the surface, often cascading beautifully over the tank’s edge. This hybrid setup brings both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

But there’s more to this plant than just good looks. Pothos in aquariums helps remove harmful compounds like nitrates and ammonia, acting as a natural biofilter that supports a healthier environment for fish. It’s particularly useful in reducing algae outbreaks and stabilizing water chemistry. Best of all, it requires little care, doesn’t need special lighting, and adapts quickly — making it perfect for both beginner and experienced aquarists.

Whether you keep a Betta in a bowl, a planted 20-gallon community tank, or even a larger freshwater setup, integrating pothos into your aquarium can provide real benefits. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to grow pothos in aquarium water, the best varieties to use, the science behind their benefits, and common issues to watch for. By the end, you'll know exactly why pothos is not just a beautiful trailing vine but also a powerful plant ally for your aquatic world.

How to Grow Pothos in Aquarium: Step-by-Step Guide

Growing pothos in an aquarium is surprisingly simple, yet offers a striking visual and biological payoff. Whether you’re adding it to improve water quality or enhance aesthetics, following a few key steps can help ensure your plant adapts well and thrives. Here’s a practical, beginner-friendly guide to get started:

1. Choose a Healthy Cutting or Plant

Start with a healthy pothos cutting or plant with vibrant green leaves and visible aerial roots. If using a cutting:

• Select a vine with at least 4–6 inches of length.
• Ensure the cutting has a few nodes (small bumps where roots will grow).
• Remove any leaves near the bottom to prevent them from sitting in water and rotting.

You can also use an entire small potted pothos plant and simply wash off the soil completely from its roots before introducing it to the aquarium.

2. Rinse and Prepare the Roots

It’s crucial to remove all traces of soil from the roots. Soil particles can introduce bacteria or cloud the water. Use lukewarm water to gently rinse the roots or cutting under a faucet. Be careful not to damage them during cleaning.

For cuttings, place them in a jar or cup of water for a few days to encourage root development before moving them into the aquarium.

3. Positioning: Above the Tank Is Best

Pothos should be placed with roots submerged in the water and leaves above the surface. Submerging the leaves will likely result in rot, as the plant isn’t adapted to fully aquatic growth.

Popular placement options include:

• Hanging from the lid or tank rim: Let the roots dangle into the water while the vines trail over the sides.
• Floating platforms or clips: Use aquarium-safe suction clips or floating holders to anchor the plant.
• HOB (Hang-on-Back) filters: Some aquarists tuck pothos into HOB filters, where water flows constantly over the roots, boosting growth.

4. Light and Water Requirements

Pothos is not demanding when it comes to lighting. Indirect natural light or basic aquarium lights will suffice. Avoid direct harsh lighting that might burn the leaves, but do ensure it receives at least 6–8 hours of moderate light daily for optimal growth.

As for water, pothos tolerates a wide range of parameters but prefers:

• Freshwater tanks only (not suited for saltwater aquariums)
• pH levels between 6.0 and 7.5
• Water temperatures between 68°F–82°F (20°C–28°C)

5. Fish Compatibility

Most peaceful community fish are perfectly fine with pothos. Bettas, guppies, mollies, tetras, shrimp, and snails are all great companions. However, beware of fish species that tend to chew on plant roots, like goldfish or larger cichlids, as they might damage the submerged parts of the plant.

6. Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Fully submerging the leaves – This will cause rot and invite mold or fungal growth.
• Dirty or soiled roots – Always rinse soil-grown pothos thoroughly before adding to your tank.
• Neglecting water changes – While pothos helps with filtration, it doesn’t eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

Best Pothos for Aquarium Use

Not all pothos varieties are created equal when it comes to aquarium setups. While all cultivars of Epipremnum aureum share the same basic care requirements and adaptability to water, some are better suited for aquariums than others—whether for their resilience, leaf structure, or aesthetic impact. Here’s a look at the best pothos types to grow in your aquarium:

1. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Golden’)

This is the most commonly used variety in aquariums, and for good reason. It’s vigorous, easy to root, and extremely tolerant of fluctuating light and water conditions. The marbled green and yellow leaves add a touch of brightness above your tank and can develop impressively long vines over time.

• Why it’s great: Fast grower, beginner-friendly, highly adaptable
• Ideal for: Nitrate absorption, shading small tanks, beginners

2. Marble Queen Pothos

Known for its stunning cream-and-green marbled foliage, Marble Queen adds a more decorative touch compared to its golden cousin. While it’s slightly slower growing due to its heavier variegation, it still thrives with its roots in water and provides a unique visual accent to your aquarium setup.

• Why it’s great: High ornamental value, tolerates water rooting well
• Ideal for: Display tanks or aquariums in brightly lit spaces

3. Neon Pothos

With its chartreuse to neon lime-colored leaves, this cultivar brings an unexpected pop of color to your aquarium’s upper border. It’s a bit more sensitive to low light but performs beautifully in setups with natural sunlight or bright LED lighting.

• Why it’s great: Unique, high-impact color
• Ideal for: Adding vibrance to modern aquascapes or high-light tanks

4. Manjula Pothos

This patented variety has uniquely wavy-edged leaves with a swirl of green, silver, and white. It’s slightly rarer in general circulation and grows slower than others, but it can still be rooted successfully in aquarium water.

• Why it’s great: Unusual leaf shape and color
• Ideal for: Decorative tanks and aquascaping displays

5. Pearls and Jade / N’Joy

These highly variegated cultivars tend to grow more slowly and may require brighter lighting to maintain their patterns. While beautiful, they are less ideal for nitrate absorption because of their reduced leaf surface and slower metabolism. However, they still make a great choice if you prioritize appearance over function.

• Why they’re great: Compact size, striking white-and-green leaves
• Ideal for: Nano tanks or as accent plants above rimless aquariums

Pro Tip:

Regardless of variety, always ensure the leaves stay above water and only the roots are submerged. Variegated types often need more light to maintain their patterns, while green varieties are generally more forgiving in low-light setups.

Pothos in Aquarium Benefits

Using pothos in your aquarium offers more than just visual appeal. This fast-growing houseplant also delivers a range of biological and environmental benefits that can significantly improve the health and balance of your aquatic ecosystem. Whether you’re dealing with nitrate buildup, algae issues, or just want a cleaner, more natural tank environment, pothos can play a powerful role. Here’s why:

1. Natural Nitrate Absorption

One of the most well-known advantages of adding pothos to your aquarium is its ability to remove excess nitrates from the water. Nitrates are the end-product of the nitrogen cycle and can stress fish if they accumulate in high levels. Pothos absorbs these compounds through its roots, acting like a living water filter.

• Reduces the need for frequent water changes
• Helps prevent nitrate poisoning in sensitive species
• Ideal for overstocked tanks or high-bioload setups

2. Helps Prevent Algae Overgrowth

Algae thrive in tanks with high nutrient levels, especially nitrates and phosphates. Since pothos competes with algae for nutrients, its presence helps starve algae out of the environment. This results in clearer water and fewer green blooms on tank surfaces.

• Naturally balances nutrient levels
• Reduces the frequency of algae scraping and glass cleaning
• Improves long-term water clarity

3. Supports Oxygen Exchange

While pothos doesn’t release oxygen into the water like submerged plants, it boosts overall oxygen levels around the tank by photosynthesizing through its aerial leaves. This can support a healthier environment, especially if you keep the tank well-aerated.

• Promotes healthy oxygen balance
• Supports fish respiration indirectly
• Pairs well with air stones or sponge filters

4. Offers Shade and Shelter for Fish

Long pothos vines and trailing roots can create natural shade and soft hiding spots for fish, especially species like bettas or tetras that enjoy resting near the surface. The shaded areas also reduce light stress and mimic a more natural environment.

• Encourages natural fish behavior
• Reduces aggression in some species
• Helps fry or shy fish feel secure

5. Aesthetic Appeal for a Jungle-Like Look

Aside from all the functional perks, let’s not forget how beautiful a pothos-covered aquarium can look. The lush vines trailing over the edge add a wild, tropical feel that few aquatic plants can replicate. Plus, it makes your aquarium more dynamic and unique.

• Great for terrarium-style or paludarium hybrids
• Complements wood, stone, and minimalist tank designs
• Perfect for open-top aquariums and rimless tanks

6. Low Maintenance and Highly Resilient

Pothos is nearly indestructible when grown in water. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, thrives on neglect, and can live for years with minimal pruning or fertilizing. This makes it a perfect plant for beginners and anyone looking for easy aquarium plants.

• No CO₂ systems, fertilizers, or substrates needed
• Survives in dim to moderate light
• Minimal upkeep beyond occasional pruning

Pothos doesn’t just look good — it actively contributes to water quality, fish health, and maintenance ease. It’s a functional, decorative powerhouse for any freshwater tank.

Aquarium Fish That Thrive With Pothos Plants

Adding pothos to your aquarium isn’t just beneficial for the water quality—it can also create a more natural and enriching environment for your fish. The dangling roots, shaded zones, and organic textures mimic the kind of habitat many fish would experience in the wild. But which fish are most compatible with pothos?

Here’s a list of aquarium species that thrive alongside pothos, plus some tips to ensure harmony between plants and fish.

1. Betta Fish (Betta splendens)

Pothos and bettas are a perfect match. Bettas love calm waters, leafy cover, and shaded zones—exactly what pothos vines and roots provide. Bettas will often rest among the dangling roots or hide beneath the floating canopy.

• Helps reduce stress and overexposure to light
• Promotes natural behavior like bubble nest building
• Enhances the aesthetic of a Betta bowl or tank

2. Guppies, Mollies, Platies, and Swordtails

These active and colorful livebearers enjoy swimming through soft-rooted plants. Pothos creates a safe, gentle barrier that adds dimension to the tank without overcrowding it.

• Roots provide shelter for fry
• Adds interest to mid-level and surface swimmers
• Easy pairing in community setups

3. Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, and Rasboras

These peaceful schooling fish thrive in low-light and well-planted environments. Pothos roots hanging from the surface create dappled light and hiding zones, perfect for mimicking their natural river habitats.

• Promotes schooling behavior
• Decreases stress due to shade and hiding spots
• Excellent for planted nano tanks
  

4. Shrimp (Cherry, Amano, Ghost)

Aquarium shrimp are sensitive to poor water quality, so they benefit directly from pothos’ natural filtration. The roots also offer a feeding surface for biofilm and a jungle-like structure for shrimp to explore.

• Encourages natural foraging
• Improves water stability
• Creates a dense root playground

5. Snails (Nerite, Mystery, Ramshorn)

Snails help clean roots and aquarium surfaces, making them ideal companions for pothos. They won't damage the plant, and the improved water quality supports snail health.

• Won’t nibble on pothos
• Helps with root surface maintenance
• Supports ecosystem balance

Fish to Avoid

Some fish species may not mix well with pothos—either because they nibble on the roots or are too destructive.

• Goldfish – Tend to chew on roots and uproot anything they can reach.
• Cichlids (especially larger ones) – Known for aggressive digging and may destroy root systems.
• Koi or large pond fish – Unsuitable due to size and mess; pothos works best in indoor aquariums.

When paired with the right fish, pothos becomes more than just a plant—it turns into a living, breathing part of your tank’s microhabitat. Your aquatic pets will benefit from cleaner water, more hiding places, and a calmer, more naturalistic setting.

Will Pothos Survive Fully Submerged in Water?

One of the most common questions aquarists ask is: “Can I fully submerge pothos in my aquarium?” The short answer is no—not for long. While pothos is incredibly adaptable and loves having its roots in water, the plant is not a true aquatic species and cannot survive if its leaves and stems are kept fully underwater.

Understanding How Pothos Grows

Pothos is a tropical vine native to the forest floors of Southeast Asia, where it climbs up trees and thrives in high humidity. It’s classified as a terrestrial plant that can grow in a semi-hydroponic setup—meaning the roots can live in water, but the rest of the plant needs access to air and light.

• The roots are highly water-tolerant and will grow well when submerged.
• The stems and leaves, however, will rot if left underwater for extended periods.

Submersion leads to:

• Yellowing and mushy leaves
• Stem rot that travels up the vine
• Foul smells and decaying matter in the tank

What Part of the Plant Should Be Submerged?

For best results, only the root system should be submerged in your aquarium water. The leaves and upper stems should remain dry and above the surface, where they can breathe and photosynthesize freely.

• Use the tank rim, lid, or floating clips to anchor the vine securely.
• Let the roots trail into the tank while the foliage stays dry.
• In rimless tanks or open setups, you can drape pothos vines artistically across the edge.

Alternative: Emulating a Semi-Aquatic Setup

If you love the idea of plants integrated more deeply into your tank’s design, consider a paludarium or a semi-aquatic scape. These setups blend land and water and are perfect for plants like pothos that need their leaves in air but love wet feet.

• Combine driftwood, rocks, and shallow water levels.
• Let the pothos roots dip into the water from above, mimicking their natural environment.
• Bonus: great for amphibians, shrimp tanks, or aquariums with low water lines.

Pro Tip:

If you're ever unsure, just remember: roots wet, leaves dry. This simple rule ensures your pothos thrives without running into rot issues or decay in your aquarium.