Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate, readily producing new roots from a simple stem cutting. When a cutting fails to root, it suggests an error is preventing the plant’s natural regenerative process. Rooting failure is usually caused by three common issues: improper cutting preparation, unsuitable environmental conditions, or rot. Addressing these factors can quickly turn a stalled cutting into a thriving new plant.
Improper Cutting Preparation
The primary element for successful Pothos propagation is the inclusion of a node, the small bump or ring where the leaf meets the vine. This node contains meristematic cells and a high concentration of the hormone auxin, which initiates root development. Without a node, a cutting cannot generate the new roots and shoot growth needed to become a viable, independent plant.
Cuttings should be taken using clean, sharp tools, such as sterilized shears or a knife, to create a smooth cut just below a node. Dull tools can crush the stem’s vascular tissue, hindering the cutting’s ability to take up water and nutrients and slowing the rooting process. Furthermore, the health of the parent plant matters, as a cutting taken from a stressed or diseased vine will have fewer resources for new root formation.
Suboptimal Environmental Conditions
Even a perfectly prepared cutting will fail if the environment is not conducive to growth; temperature and light are the most influential factors. Rooting is active cell division, a process drastically slowed by low temperatures. Pothos cuttings root most successfully when the ambient temperature is consistently between 70°F and 85°F, as temperatures below 60°F often cause growth to stall.
Light also provides the energy needed for cellular activity through photosynthesis. Cuttings require bright, indirect light to fuel root production. They must be shielded from direct sun, which can scorch tissues and cause excessive water loss.
When propagating in water, the vessel must be clean, and the water needs regular changing to ensure a fresh supply of oxygen. If rooting in soil, the medium must be light and well-draining. The soil should remain consistently moist but never soggy to prevent anaerobic conditions.
Pathogens and Rotting
When a cutting is actively decaying, the issue is often the presence of pathogens leading to rot. Rotting is characterized by the stem turning soft, mushy, brown, or black, often accompanied by a foul odor. This decay is typically caused by fungal or bacterial infections that thrive in stagnant, oxygen-depleted conditions.
In water propagation, rot occurs when the water is not changed often enough, depleting dissolved oxygen and encouraging anaerobic bacteria. In soil propagation, rot results from the cutting being placed into a medium that is too dense or kept too wet. This suffocates the cells and creates a breeding ground for soil-borne pathogens like Pythium or Fusarium.
To remediate rot, the decayed portion must be cleanly cut away using sterilized tools until only healthy tissue remains. The cutting must then be restarted in a fresh, clean medium with better air circulation.