The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant prized for its trailing vines and hardiness. Propagation, creating a new plant from a part of the parent, is remarkably straightforward. This allows gardeners to multiply their collection or prune existing plants for fuller growth. Successful propagation depends on correctly identifying the precise location on the vine where the new root system will emerge.
Identifying the Propagation Node
Successful Pothos propagation depends entirely on locating the node, the plant’s natural growth point. The node is a slightly swollen area on the stem where a leaf emerges from the main vine. This bumpy joint contains meristematic tissue, which is capable of differentiating into a new root system.
A section of the vine between two nodes is called an internode, the smooth, rootless part of the stem. Cuttings taken from the internode alone will not produce roots, as they lack the necessary growth-initiating cells. A healthy node often has a small brown bump or aerial root beginning to form, indicating where root growth will be initiated. To ensure a viable cutting, it must contain at least one complete node.
Making the Clean Cut
Once a healthy node is identified, the next step is making a precise cut to maximize the cutting’s chance of survival. Always use a sharp, clean tool, such as a sterilized knife, razor blade, or pruning shears. Sterilizing the tool with rubbing alcohol minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens into the plant’s open wound.
The cut should be made in the internode section, approximately one-half to one inch below the chosen node. Cutting into the smooth internode provides a small buffer of stem tissue below the node, offering space for the emerging roots to grow. Remove any leaves that would be submerged in the rooting medium, as they will rot and contaminate the water or soil.
Initial Care for Root Development
Following the cut, the new Pothos section can be placed in water or directly into soil to initiate root development. Water propagation is popular because it allows for easy visual monitoring of the root growth process. The node must remain fully submerged in room-temperature water, while all leaves stay above the surface to prevent decay. To ensure oxygenation and prevent microbial growth, change the water completely every few days to once a week.
Alternatively, the cutting can be planted directly into a well-draining, pre-moistened potting mix. Propagating in soil avoids the transition period that water-grown roots experience when moved to a solid medium, which can sometimes result in transplant shock. When using soil, the node should be buried, and the medium kept consistently moist but never soggy. Regardless of the chosen method, the cutting should be kept in a location receiving bright, indirect light, and roots will typically begin to emerge from the node within two to four weeks.