The popular houseplant Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy, is a resilient vining species celebrated for its ease of growth and attractive foliage. Expanding your collection is simple and highly successful through vegetative propagation. Planting a cutting directly into soil is an efficient method to create new plants that are immediately adapted to a terrestrial environment, bypassing the need for a water-to-soil transition. This process requires careful preparation of the plant material and a specific approach to planting and aftercare.
Selecting and Preparing the Cutting
Successful direct-to-soil propagation begins with obtaining healthy, robust plant material from the parent vine. Identify a vigorous stem and use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to make a precise cut. Sterilizing your tools with rubbing alcohol prevents the transfer of pathogens.
The most important part of the cutting is the node, which appears as a small bump or ring on the stem. This site contains meristematic tissue responsible for generating new roots and shoots. A cutting must have at least one node and one attached leaf to root successfully.
Make your cut just below a node to maximize root development. While a single node is sufficient, many prefer two or three nodes to increase success. Remove any leaves that would be buried beneath the soil line, as they will likely rot. Optionally, dip the cut end and node area into a powdered rooting hormone, which can accelerate root development.
The Soil Planting Process
Preparing the right container and growing medium is important for the success of your new Pothos cutting. Select a small pot, such as a 4-inch container, that has excellent drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. The ideal soil should be well-aerated to allow oxygen to reach the developing roots and permit efficient water movement.
A suitable growing medium blends standard indoor potting mix with amendments like perlite, pumice, or orchid bark, aiming for a ratio of approximately 2:1 or 3:1 soil to amendment. This mixture prevents compaction and promotes a healthy environment for root formation. Fill the pot with this substrate, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
Use a finger or pencil to create a small, shallow depression where you intend to place the cutting. Carefully insert the Pothos cutting, ensuring the node or nodes are completely covered by the soil. The root-producing tissue of the node must have direct contact with the moist soil particles. Gently firm the soil around the base of the cutting to stabilize it in the pot.
Essential Care Immediately After Planting
The first few weeks after planting are a stabilization period focused on developing a root system. Immediately after planting, water the soil thoroughly until it drains freely from the bottom of the pot. This initial deep saturation removes air pockets and settles the medium around the buried node.
Place the potted cutting in a location that receives bright, indirect light, such as a north- or east-facing window. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch the vulnerable leaves and stress the unrooted cutting. Maintaining a consistently warm environment, ideally between 70°F and 85°F, encourages faster root growth.
Maintaining high ambient humidity is beneficial during this rooting phase to reduce water loss through the leaves. Since the cutting has no roots to absorb water, high humidity minimizes transpiration and prevents the foliage from drying out. Achieve this by placing the pot inside a clear plastic bag or under a dome for the first two weeks, ensuring the plastic does not touch the leaves.
After the initial watering, allow the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly before watering again. Keeping the soil saturated is a primary cause of stem rot.