Yellowing or decaying of the vine portion More than a few brown, dried leaves Black leaves Decaying/dead growth-tip of the vine
If using a pot, there needs to be a drainage hole and a water tray underneath. Using fertilizer is unnecessary, as pothos grows fast and it is optional.
Other alternatives include perlite or Leca as a substrate for propagation.
Liquid fertilizer can be as simple as Miracle-Gro. Always make sure that the fertilizer is for plants in water and that you are dosing correctly.