The Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum), often called Pothos, is a popular, fast-growing houseplant known for its cascading vines and hardiness. Cutting the plant serves two main purposes: maintaining a full, attractive shape through pruning and generating new plants through propagation. Correct cutting techniques ensure the continued health of the parent plant and maximize the success of new growth.
Necessary Tools and Preparation
Before making any cuts, gather and prepare the appropriate tools. You will need a sharp cutting instrument, such as scissors, gardening snips, or a razor blade. A clean cut heals faster than a jagged tear, minimizing stress on the plant.
To prevent the spread of disease, the cutting tool must be sterilized. Wiping the tool with a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol is effective for sanitation. Allow the alcohol to evaporate completely before use, ensuring no residue transfers to the plant tissue. Have a container of water or a pot with pre-moistened soil ready for the cuttings.
Pruning for Maintenance and Shape
Pruning controls the plant’s size, removes damaged or sparse growth, and encourages a bushier appearance. Long, trailing vines can become leggy, meaning leaves are spaced far apart as the vine stretches for light. Cutting the vine activates dormant growth points, resulting in a fuller canopy.
To prune for shape, locate a stem that needs shortening or exhibits sparse growth. Identify the small bump on the stem where a leaf emerges; this is called a node. Make your cut directly above a healthy node, leaving the node intact on the parent plant. This strategic placement allows the node to activate and produce new leaves and a new vine just below the cut. Cutting a vine back, sometimes up to two-thirds of its length, stimulates denser growth closer to the base.
Taking Cuttings for Propagation
The same vines cut during maintenance can be used to grow new plants through propagation. To maximize successful rooting, choose healthy, vigorous vines that contain several leaves and are free of discoloration or damage. Each cutting must contain at least one node, as this is the specific point where rooting hormones are concentrated and new roots emerge.
For propagation, cuttings should be four to six inches long and possess two to four leaves. When preparing the stem, remove the leaf closest to the cut end to expose the node. Cuttings can be rooted in a jar of water or directly into well-draining potting soil. If using water, ensure at least one node remains submerged and place the container in bright, indirect light. If planting in soil, bury the node(s) and keep the soil lightly moist while roots establish.
Caring for the Plant After Cutting
Immediate care involves tending to both the parent plant and the new cuttings. The parent plant needs a slight adjustment to its watering schedule, as removing foliage reduces its water needs. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering to prevent root rot. Providing bright, indirect light helps activated nodes quickly develop into new vines.
New cuttings, whether in water or soil, require consistent warmth and indirect light to initiate root growth. If rooting in water, change the water every few days to keep it fresh and oxygenated. Cuttings rooted in soil should be kept consistently moist but not saturated. A warm environment accelerates the rooting process, often resulting in visible roots within a few weeks.