Yes, pothos can grow underwater in an aquarium.
According to the provided reference, "Yes pothos can grow underwater." However, it is crucial to understand a key distinction: "But keep in mind that it is not an aquatic plant."
Understanding Pothos in Aquariums
While pothos (Epipremnum aureum) can survive and grow with its roots submerged in water, it's not naturally an aquatic species like java fern or anubias. Its leaves and stems are adapted for growing in air, typically climbing or trailing.
- Submerged Roots: Pothos can effectively absorb nutrients directly from the aquarium water through its roots. This can help improve water quality by utilizing excess nitrates.
- Aerial Leaves: For successful long-term growth, the majority of the pothos plant, including its leaves and stem nodes, needs to be kept above the water surface. Only the roots should be submerged.
- Not Fully Submersible: Attempting to fully submerge the entire plant, including its leaves and stems, is generally not recommended as the plant is not adapted for respiration and photosynthesis underwater and will likely rot.
Key Considerations
When adding pothos to an aquarium setup, consider the following:
- Placement: Position the plant so that only the roots are in the water, perhaps resting the stem on the aquarium rim or using a holder.
- Root Growth: The roots will grow directly into the water, often attaching to decorations or substrate over time.
- Water Quality: Pothos acts as a natural filter, helping to remove nitrates and other waste products, which can benefit fish and other aquatic life.
In summary, while pothos roots thrive underwater, the plant itself requires its foliage to be in the air, confirming that while it can grow with submerged roots, it is not a true aquatic plant meant to live entirely underwater.
