Pothos Propagation: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Are you a pothos plant lover wondering how to multiply this beautiful houseplant? Then, you’ve come to the right place! Pothos propagation is pretty straightforward with the help of a few simple tools. Once this trailing plant starts filling a corner, the need to prune it comes in. This is when you can use a few healthy cuttings and root them, creating more new pothos plants. Learning how to propagate pothos is simple, and honestly, very satisfying. You get new plants for free, fuller greenery around your home, and can easily gift some to people you love.
In this guide, we’ll share how to propagate pothos using easy, beginner-friendly methods anyone can try.
About Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of those plants that quietly fit into almost any home. Its long trailing vines, heart-shaped leaves, and easy-care needs make it a favorite plant for beginners and seasoned plant lovers. Native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, pothos is a hardy houseplant that grows well indoors year-round. It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light too.
Pothos care is simple; this air-purifying plant thrives in bright, indirect light and warm temperatures. Water your pothos plant only when the soil feels dry.
Pothos varieties include the Golden Pothos, which features green leaves with yellow streaks, Pothos 'Marble Queen' with creamy white patterns, and Pearls and Jade Pothos, which stands out with deep green and crisp white splashes. Each boasts a different appearance, but all share the same easygoing nature.
The pothos plant is associated with growth, positivity, and good luck. But keep in mind that pothos is toxic to pets if chewed.
Pothos Propagation: Tools and Supplies
Before you start propagating pothos, gather the tools and materials listed below:
Essential tools and materials for propagating pothos:
- Clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears
- A healthy pothos plant
- A glass jar or container (for water propagation)
- Fresh potting soil (for soil propagation)
- Small pots with drainage holes
Remember to sterilize your cutting tools with rubbing alcohol or warm, soapy water before cutting because clean tools prevent disease and keep your plant healthy.
How to Propagate Pothos in 3 Simple Ways
Propagating pothos is simple, fun, and very rewarding, even if you are new to plants. But is it better to propagate pothos in water or soil? The truth is that both methods work really well. Besides water and soil propagation, there’s also an easy third option, suitable for mature plants: division.
Let’s explore the three techniques in more detail.
1. Propagating Pothos in Water
Water propagation is one of the easiest and most popular ways of multiplying your pothos plant at home. Knowing where to cut Pothos for propagation makes all the difference because healthy roots only grow from nodes.
- Start by selecting a healthy vine with a few strong leaves.
- Look for a small bump on the stem, called a node, then cut just below it using clean scissors.
- Remove the lower leaves because they shouldn't sit in water to rot.
- Place the cutting in a glass or jar filled with clean water with the node submerged.
Place the jar in a spot with a bright, indirect light and change the water every few days.
How Long Does It Take for Pothos to Root in Water?
Most pothos cuttings begin to show tiny roots within 7 to 14 days, but patience still matters. Stronger roots usually form after three to four weeks, depending on the light and warmth you provide, plus overall plant health. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can move the cutting to soil or keep growing it in water if you like.
2. How to Propagate Pothos in Soil
Propagating pothos in soil is a great option if you want your pothos cutting to adjust faster to life in a pot. This method helps roots grow strong from the very beginning.
Here's how to propagate pothos in soil:
- Start by cutting a healthy vine just below a node.
- Remove the lower leaves so the node stays bare.
- Fill a small pot with well-draining soil.
- Make a small hole and place the cutting inside.
- Gently press the soil around it.
- Water lightly, so the soil is moist but not soggy.
Again, place the pot in bright, indirect light for best growth.
How Long Does a Pothos Cutting Take to Root in Soil?
Rooting in soil usually takes a little more time. Most pothos cuttings begin forming roots in about three to four weeks, but visible growth above the soil can take even longer, even months. Progress may feel slow at first, but steady soil moisture and warmth really help. Strong roots often develop within six to eight weeks, so avoid pulling the cutting out to check in the meantime. New leaves are the best sign that rooting is successful.
3. Pothos Propagation by Division
Can I divide a pothos plant? The answer is yes, and this method works best if you’re a proud owner of a healthy and bushy pothos plant. Division is a fast and low-effort propagation method, resulting in an instant new plant without waiting for roots to grow.
Steps to propagate pothos by division include:
- Gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen the soil around the roots.
- Look for natural root clusters where stems are already grouped.
- Carefully pull the sections apart using your hands, without force.
- Place each divided section into its own pot with fresh soil.
- For the final step, water the plants lightly and keep them in bright, indirect light.
Pothos Propagation: Care Tips
New pothos cuttings are easy to care for, but a little extra attention helps them grow stronger and faster. Young plants are still settling in, so gentle care matters during this stage. The right growing conditions, including watering, light, and humidity, are key for speedy rooting and healthy growth; the good news is that pothos plants are very forgiving.
Follow these simple tips to keep new roots healthy and baby pothos plants stress-free.
- Watering: Keep soil lightly moist, not overly wet, because soggy roots can rot.
- Light: Bright, indirect light works best, while harsh sun can burn young leaves.
- Humidity: Normal indoor humidity is OK; however, providing extra moisture by placing a plastic bag over the cutting can boost growth.
- Fertilizer: Don’t feed your young pathos plants at first, so roots can settle without stress.
- Temperature: Warm rooms help faster rooting, while cold drafts slow growth.
Propagating Pothos: FAQs
Q: How fast do pothos propagate?
A: Pothos plant propagation is fairly quick compared to many other houseplants. In water, you’ll often see small roots forming within 7 to 14 days. Soil propagation may take a bit longer, around 2 to 4 weeks.
Q: What are common pothos propagation mistakes?
A: Many people forget to include a node on the cutting, which stops roots from forming. Another common mistake during pothos plant propagation is not changing the water regularly, which can cause rot. Using dull or dirty scissors to cut the stem can also harm the plant. Low light slows rooting, while direct sun can stress the young pothos plants. Overwatering the cuttings rooted in soil is another issue that often leads to failure.
Q: Can I propagate pothos in sphagnum moss?
A: Yes, sphagnum moss works very well for pothos propagation. Moss retains the moisture while still allowing good airflow around the roots, which helps prevent rot. Cuttings are placed into damp sphagnum moss and kept warm with bright, indirect light. Once the roots grow a few inches long, the cutting can be moved into soil.
Q: How do you speed up pothos propagation?
A: Warm temperatures and bright, indirect light help pothos root faster. Clean cuts below a healthy node also make a big difference, just like fresh water and lightly moist soil do. Rooting hormone also speeds up the process, but it isn’t always required.
Q: Where is the node on a pothos?
A: The node is a small bump or joint on the vine where leaves and aerial roots grow from. It usually sits just below a leaf. Roots will only grow from this spot, not from plain stem sections. When cutting pothos for propagation, always ensure at least one node is present on the stem.
Conclusion
Propagating pothos is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do as a plant parent. With just a healthy cutting, a little patience, and the right method, you can propagate pothos with no effort and expand your collection or share the baby pothos plants with friends. Water, soil, or division propagation are all successful techniques, so choose the one you feel most comfortable with and enjoy the results.
Once rooted, pothos plants pair beautifully with varieties such as Philodendrons, Peperomia, and Hoya Plants. Together, they create a lush, relaxed indoor jungle that’s easy to care for and too beautiful not to love.