The Golden Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum, is a popular vining houseplant recognized for its heart-shaped leaves and easy-care nature. As the vines grow long, they can become sparse or “leggy,” reducing the plant’s overall density. Cutting the plant is necessary not only for maintaining a full, attractive shape but also for creating new plants through propagation. Understanding the specific anatomy of the vine dictates precisely where to make these cuts for successful management and multiplication.
Identifying the Key Cutting Point: The Node
The process of cutting a Golden Pothos centers on the node, a specific anatomical structure. This node is the slightly swollen joint on the stem where the leaf petiole, or leaf stalk, attaches to the main vine. Biologically, the node is a region of concentrated cellular activity, hosting meristematic tissue that has the potential for new growth.
This region is where both new leaves and aerial roots emerge from the vine. Before roots fully develop, they exist as root primordia, which often appear as small, dark brown bumps on the stem near the leaf base. Since the node is the only part of the stem capable of generating roots, any cutting taken for propagation must include at least one of these structures.
Making Maintenance Cuts
When the goal is to prune the parent plant to encourage a bushier, denser appearance, the cut must be made strategically to stimulate lateral growth. Pruning works by removing the apical meristem, the growth point at the end of the vine that produces a hormone called auxin. This hormone suppresses the development of side shoots, a phenomenon known as apical dominance.
To overcome this dominance and force the plant to branch out, the vine should be cut approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch above a healthy node. Cutting above the node signals the plant to activate the dormant lateral bud located just below the cut. This activation leads to the development of a new vine, resulting in a fuller plant with multiple growing points.
Preparing Cuttings for Propagation
Creating a new plant requires a cutting that includes the rooting potential of the node. To ensure the best chance of survival, select a healthy section of vine that has multiple leaves and is free of any browning or damage. The actual cut for propagation should be made about 1/8 to 1/4 inch below a node.
While a single-node cutting is viable, a cutting that includes two or three nodes generally offers a higher success rate. After making the cut, the leaf or leaves attached to the lowest one or two nodes must be carefully removed. This step is necessary to expose the node directly to the rooting medium, preventing the submerged leaves from rotting.
Before making any cuts, use clean, sharp scissors or shears to ensure a swift, clean separation of plant tissue. A clean cut minimizes the surface area for potential infection and prevents the transfer of pathogens between the parent plant and the new cutting. Once prepared, the exposed nodes can be placed in a rooting environment, ready to produce new roots from the specialized tissue.