Quick answer: Holes in pothos leaves most often call for inspection, not immediate pesticide treatment. A leaf can tear while unfurling, rub against furniture, suffer chewing damage, or lose dead tissue after a leaf spot. Identify what happened before cutting leaves off or spraying chemicals. Already missing leaf tissue will not grow back, but healthy new growth can remain intact once the cause is fixed.
What do the holes look like?
| Clue | Possible explanation | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Clean tear near leaf edge or along a fold | Mechanical damage during movement or unfurling | Nearby supports, handling, pets and snagged vines |
| Irregular missing tissue and visible feeding | Chewing insects or other animals | Undersides of leaves, night activity, new bites |
| Small pale or brown spots that later break through | Leaf-spot damage | Spots on new leaves, wet foliage and spreading lesions |
| Distorted new leaves and tiny insects | Possible pest damage as leaves developed | Thrips or other pests; confirm identification before treatment |
| One old damaged leaf with otherwise healthy growth | Past injury | Monitor new leaves rather than treating without evidence |
1. Physical damage is common
Trailing pothos vines catch on shelves, furniture and plant stands. An emerging leaf can tear if it catches on a support or is handled roughly. Check whether holes follow a single fold or are limited to older leaves. Move vines gently, provide a secure support and avoid forcing tightly folded new leaves open.
2. Inspect for pests before spraying
Look at leaf undersides and around the nodes for active insects, small black spots, sticky residue, webbing or other damage. A small magnifier can help distinguish spider mites, thrips and scale. The University of Minnesota Extension indoor-pest guide recommends identifying pests before selecting treatment. It does not justify assuming a specific fly or automatically buying a pesticide based on holes alone.
If you find a pest, isolate the plant and remove visible insects by gentle washing or wiping when appropriate. Use any registered indoor-plant pesticide only according to its label for the target pest. See the pothos pest identification guide.
3. Rule out leaf-spot disease
Some fungal or bacterial leaf spots may begin as discolored lesions, and damaged tissue can later fall out. But a hole is not enough to diagnose “shot-hole disease” in pothos. Watch for expanding spots, wet-looking lesions or repeated damage on new foliage. Avoid leaving foliage wet for long periods, improve airflow and consult a university extension diagnostic service if symptoms spread.
4. Check growing conditions
Very dry conditions, harsh light and fertilizer injury can weaken leaves or cause brown edges, but none proves an insect or fungal infection. Check soil moisture, root drainage, light and fertilizer use rather than trying several treatments at once. Excess fertilizer may burn tissue; return to the label rate instead of adding more.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Photograph the damaged leaf and inspect the plant's newer leaves for similar symptoms.
- Check leaf undersides, stems, nearby surfaces and folds for pests.
- Look for mechanical rubbing or damage from moving the vine.
- Check whether spots or damaged tissue appeared before holes.
- Correct the supported cause; do not apply pesticide without a pest diagnosis.
- Keep the leaf if much of it is green and functioning. Remove badly damaged foliage with clean tools if useful for appearance or disease management.
- Monitor new leaves for two or three weeks to see whether the problem continues.
Frequently asked questions
Will a hole in a pothos leaf heal?
The missing part will not regenerate. The rest of the leaf can continue functioning if it is green and not badly damaged.
Do I need to repot pothos with holes in the leaves?
Not usually. Repot only when a root or potting-mix problem is supported by evidence; holes by themselves do not establish a soil problem.
Should I apply fungicide if I see holes?
No. Fungicides are not a universal treatment for holes, and an incorrect treatment may stress the plant. Seek help diagnosing leaf spots if damage continues spreading.
Related: Brown spots on pothos, Pothos problems, and Insect control for pothos.
Sources: University of Minnesota Extension — Managing insects on indoor plants and Iowa State University Extension — How to Care for Houseplants.