Refreshing soil in Pathos plant...?

Question

My soil in looking pretty gross on the top, but the plant isn't too big for the pot (the roots have plenty of room). Would it be good to change the soil (to make it look better), or is it best just to clean up the top of the soil? I don't want it to go in shock or anything.

Answer 1

I'd just repot.  If the soil is "looking gross", chances are you've been using a lot of fertilizer or you're in a very hard water area.  The cream-brown crusts you're seeing are excess soil salts, and soon you'll start noticing tip burn on the leaves from that.

Answer 2

You can refresh the soil simply by taking of the top inch and putting in fresh soil, it is done all the time. as long as you don't disturb the roots it won't bother the plant at all.

PS you say it is looking pretty gross is it too wet? Pothos don't need to be water too often. About once a week should do it.

Answer 3

This happens over time with houseplants. Take a Popsicle stick (or something similar) and scratch the soil (kind of like stirring it up) about 1/2 in.  to 1 in. down. This will help aerate the soil and make it look better. You can also take the plant out and remove some of the soil from around the top and the root ball and replant it with fresh soil. Be careful not to break up the roots if you are worried about it going into shock.