The Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a favored houseplant known for its cascading foliage and hardiness. Propagating this plant in water is one of the simplest methods to generate new growth and multiply your collection. This technique involves taking a section of a healthy vine and submerging the stem in water, allowing new roots to develop. This straightforward process is highly successful, making it an excellent starting point for new plant enthusiasts.
Essential Preparation and Tools
Before taking any cuttings, prepare the necessary equipment for successful propagation. You will need a sharp cutting instrument, such as clean pruning shears, scissors, or a razor blade, to make a precise incision without crushing the plant tissue. A sharp tool minimizes stem damage, helping the cutting heal faster and reducing infection risk. Tool sanitation is accomplished by wiping the blade with isopropyl alcohol or a 10% bleach solution. This eliminates lingering pathogens or fungal spores that could transfer to the fresh wound.
Identifying the Pothos Node
The success of water propagation relies on correctly locating the stem node, which functions as the plant’s growth center. The node appears as a small, slightly swollen bump or ridge on the vine where the leaf petiole, the stalk connecting the leaf to the stem, emerges. New roots and future stems originate exclusively from the meristematic tissue found at this point. You may observe small, brown, pointy structures emerging from the node; these are aerial roots, which the plant uses in nature to cling to surfaces. Ensure your cutting includes at least one node, as this is the only place where water-based root growth will occur.
Making the Precision Cut
Once you identify a healthy vine section containing a node, make the incision to separate the cutting from the parent plant. The cut must be made on the stem just below the node, typically about one-quarter to one-half inch away from the growth point. Cutting at this distance preserves the node and provides enough stem tissue to support emerging roots, preventing the stem from rotting in the water. While a straight cut is sufficient, some prefer a diagonal cut because it slightly increases the surface area for water uptake. For the best chance of success, the cutting should contain at least two to three nodes. Multiple nodes provide the plant with more resources and more points from which roots can emerge, increasing the likelihood of successful root development.
Preparing the Cutting for Water
After separating the section from the parent plant, the cutting requires final preparation before being placed in water. Any leaves that would fall below the water line must be carefully removed. Submerged foliage decomposes quickly, fouling the water and creating an environment where pathogens can thrive, which could cause the cutting to rot. If you have a long vine, divide it into smaller segments, ensuring each piece retains at least one or two nodes and one healthy leaf above the water line. Pothos cuttings do not require a “curing” period for the wound to dry. The cutting can be immediately transferred to a vessel filled with clean water, with the nodes fully submerged.