The Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Golden Pothos, is a highly popular houseplant recognized for its glossy, heart-shaped foliage and trailing growth habit. This vining plant is remarkably resilient, tolerating a wide range of indoor conditions. Propagating Devil’s Ivy is a simple and effective way to multiply your collection. This guide details how to successfully grow new plants from stem cuttings.
Preparing the Cuttings
The process begins by selecting healthy vines from the parent plant. Use a sharp, sterilized cutting tool, such as shears or a knife, to ensure a clean cut that minimizes damage and infection risk. Sterilizing the tool with rubbing alcohol prevents the transfer of pathogens to the new cutting.
Identifying the plant’s node is the most important part of this step, as new roots emerge from this point. Nodes appear as small, slightly raised bumps on the stem, often located where a leaf is attached. Each cutting must include at least one node and one healthy leaf for successful propagation.
Make your cut on the stem approximately one-quarter to one-half inch below a node. This small section of stem provides the necessary tissue for root initiation. Remove any leaves that would be submerged in water or buried in the soil, as submerged foliage will quickly decompose and introduce rot-causing bacteria.
Choosing a Propagation Method
Once the cuttings are prepared, you can choose between water or soil propagation. The water method allows you to visually monitor root development. Place the cutting into a glass of water, ensuring at least one node is fully submerged while keeping the attached leaf above the water line.
Roots begin to emerge from the node within a few weeks. It is important to change the water every three to five days to replenish oxygen and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Roots grown in water tend to be slightly weaker or more brittle than those grown in soil because they develop in a nutrient-poor medium.
The soil method involves planting the cutting directly into a well-draining potting mix. This approach often results in a more robust root system, as the plant immediately adapts to a denser environment. Dipping the node end into a powdered rooting hormone can accelerate the growth of new roots, though this step is optional.
Insert the cut end into the soil deep enough to cover the node, firming the mix around the stem to secure it in place. Keep the soil consistently moist, but never soggy, to encourage root growth without causing stem rot. You can monitor progress by gently tugging on the stem after a few weeks; resistance indicates that new roots have anchored the plant.
Establishing the New Plant
The new plant needs consistent, bright, indirect light to fuel its growth. Placing the cuttings near a window that receives filtered sunlight promotes faster and healthier root development. Avoid direct, intense sun exposure, which can scorch the delicate leaves of the young cuttings.
Maintain a stable room temperature between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, as warmth supports root and leaf production. Once water-rooted cuttings have developed roots one to two inches long, transition them into a permanent soil medium. This transition requires the water-grown roots to adapt to a drier, denser substrate.
To help the cutting “harden off” and reduce transplant shock, keep the soil consistently moist for the first two weeks after planting. This mimics the high-moisture environment the roots are accustomed to, allowing them to adjust gradually. Afterward, switch to the normal watering schedule of letting the top inch of soil dry out. Yellowing leaves are a common sign of receiving too much water or direct sunlight.
If you notice the stem turning black or becoming mushy, especially at the node, this is a clear sign of stem rot, which results from a continuously soggy environment or unsterilized tools. If new growth appears sparse or the leaves lose their vibrant variegation, move the plant to a location with brighter, indirect light. Addressing these issues quickly ensures the successful establishment of your new Devil’s Ivy.