The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular and resilient houseplant known for its vining habit and tolerance for varied indoor conditions. Propagation is the process of creating new, genetically identical plants from a small piece of an existing “mother” plant. This method allows for the effortless expansion of your collection.
Preparing the Cuttings
Start by selecting a healthy vine section from the parent plant. Use a pair of sharp cutting tools, such as shears or scissors, sterilized with rubbing alcohol to prevent the transfer of plant pathogens.
Locate the nodes, which are small, raised bumps found along the stem where a leaf emerges. These nodes contain the cells necessary for new root growth. Each cutting should contain at least one node and one leaf, though two or three nodes offer a better chance of success.
Make a clean, diagonal cut on the stem about a half-inch below a chosen node. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline of your rooting vessel. Submerged foliage will quickly rot and contaminate the water, hindering root development.
Rooting the Cuttings in Water
The water propagation method is reliable for encouraging Pothos roots to develop. Select a clean, transparent vessel, such as a glass jar, to monitor root progress. Fill the container with room-temperature water; if using tap water, letting it sit for 24 hours can help dissipate chlorine.
Place the prepared cutting into the water so that at least one node is completely submerged, keeping the attached leaves fully above the surface. Position the cuttings in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which can overheat the water and scorch the leaves.
Maintaining water quality is crucial, as roots require dissolved oxygen for healthy growth. Change the water completely once every five to seven days, or sooner if the water begins to look cloudy. Within two to four weeks, you should observe thin, white roots emerging from the submerged nodes.
Healthy root development is characterized by a strong, white color and branching structure. Once these water roots have grown to approximately two to three inches in length, the cutting is ready to be transitioned into a solid growing medium. Waiting too long can cause the roots to become overly accustomed to the water environment, making the eventual shift to soil more difficult.
Transitioning Cuttings to Soil and Ongoing Care
The optimal time for planting is when the new water roots have reached a length between one and three inches. This length provides enough root mass to sustain the cutting without the roots becoming brittle or easily damaged during planting.
Prepare a small pot with drainage holes using a well-draining potting mix amended with materials like perlite. This prevents the roots from sitting in overly saturated soil, which can cause rot. Gently create a small depression in the soil to accommodate the fragile root system without bending or breaking the roots.
Carefully place the rooted cutting into the prepared hole and backfill it with soil, lightly tamping the mix down around the stem to secure the cutting upright. Immediately after planting, give the soil a thorough watering, allowing the excess to drain completely from the bottom.
For the first one to two weeks after transplanting, the soil should be kept consistently moist to help the water-grown roots acclimate to their new medium. Keep the newly potted Pothos in the same location with bright, indirect light to minimize environmental stress. As the plant adjusts, gradually shift to a more typical Pothos watering schedule, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.