Pothos plants, known for their easy care and trailing vines, often display small growths along their stems. These are aerial roots, a natural part of the Pothos’s anatomy that serve various functions.
Understanding Aerial Roots
Aerial roots are specialized roots that grow above the soil surface from a plant’s stems or branches. Unlike underground roots that absorb water and nutrients from soil, aerial roots serve various functions depending on the plant and its environment.
They provide support by anchoring the plant, absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, or aid in gas exchange. Many tropical plants, like epiphytes, develop aerial roots as an adaptation to habitats where they grow on other plants or structures, not directly in the ground.
Pothos and Their Aerial Roots
Pothos plants, like many climbing aroids, possess aerial roots. These roots appear as small, bumpy nodes along the stem, often brownish as they mature.
In their native tropical rainforests, Pothos are epiphytic vines that use these roots to cling to tree trunks and other surfaces, climbing towards sunlight through the dense canopy. This enables the plant to access more light for photosynthesis. Beyond anchorage, Pothos aerial roots also absorb moisture and nutrients from the humid air and rainwater.
Managing Pothos Aerial Roots
For Pothos owners, managing aerial roots is straightforward. These roots are a natural and healthy part of the plant’s growth, and leaving them alone is acceptable.
To encourage vertical growth, train the aerial roots to climb a moss pole or trellis, mimicking their natural behavior. Guiding the stems allows the aerial roots to latch on, creating a lush, climbing display.
If aerial roots become unruly or do not fit your aesthetic preferences, trim them using clean, sharp scissors. Pruning aerial roots is harmless to the plant, as they are less essential for survival indoors compared to their role in the wild.
Aerial Roots and Pothos Propagation
The presence of aerial roots makes Pothos remarkably easy to propagate. When taking cuttings, selecting a stem section with at least one node and an aerial root promotes quicker, more reliable rooting.
The aerial root already contains root primordia, cells ready to develop into new roots. Cut just below such a node and place the cutting in water or directly into soil. The existing aerial root helps the cutting absorb moisture and establish itself more readily, providing an immediate advantage for new growth.