Pothos, also known as Epipremnum aureum or golden pothos, is one of the most popular houseplants. With its easy care, trailing vines, and variegated leaves, it’s no wonder pothos is a staple in many homes and offices.
The great thing about pothos is that they are straightforward to propagate from cuttings. Taking cuttings from a mature pothos plant and rooting them in water or soil is a great way to make new plants for free. And since pothos cuttings root so quickly, they are ideal for beginning gardeners or those looking to expand their plant collection on a budget.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through how to plant pothos cuttings, from gathering and preparing cuttings to rooting methods and transplanting. Let’s get started!
Gathering and Preparing Pothos Cuttings
The first step is to take cuttings from a healthy parent pothos plant. Here’s how to plant pothos cuttings:
Choose a Healthy Parent Plant
Pick a robust and actively growing pothos. Avoid taking cuttings from plants that appear pale, limp, or stressed. Selecting vigorous growth will give your cuttings the best chance at successfully rooting.
Use Sterilized Pruning Shears
Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears, scissors, or garden snips to take your cuttings. Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol before each cut to avoid transferring diseases between plants. Sharp, clean cuts will heal quickly.
Take 4-6 Inch Cuttings
Look for stem sections that are 4-6 inches long. The cuttings should have 2-4 leaves each. Take your cuttings just below the node where a leaf is attached for the best results. The nodes are the points where roots will later emerge.
Optional: Dip in Rooting Hormone
While not required, you can dip the bottom 1-2 inches of each cutting in rooting hormone. The powder or gel contains plant hormones that can expedite root growth.
Allow Cut Ends to Callous
After taking your cuttings, lay them out and allow the cut ends to callous over for 1-2 days. This helps prevent stem rot once the cuttings are placed in water or soil.
Now that you’ve gathered and prepared your pothos cuttings, it’s time to root them! You have two options: rooting the cuttings in water or rooting them directly in the potting mix.
Rooting Pothos Cuttings in Water
Rooting pothos cuttings in water is an easy propagation method. Follow these instructions for the best results:
Fill Jar or Vase with Room Temperature Water
Select a clean glass jar, vase, or other transparent container. Fill with room-temperature water.
Insert Cuttings
Place your cuttings in the jar, ensuring the cut ends remain submerged. Keep about 2-3 leaves above water. If needed, insert the cuttings between the jar and glass to keep them upright.
Change Water Weekly
Replace the water weekly to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Use purified, distilled, or rainwater for best results. Tap water may be used if filtered first.
Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Keep the jar in a location receiving bright, indirect light. Windowsills are often ideal. Avoid direct hot sunlight.
Watch for Root Growth!
Check your cuttings daily for progress. Healthy pothos cuttings will begin forming white roots in 2-6 weeks. Longer roots mean it’s time to transplant into soil.
Rooting pothos in water creates an appealing display while you watch the rooting process. Just be sure to transplant the cuttings into the potting mix once the roots are 3-4 inches long. Now, let’s look at rooting pothos directly into the soil.
Rooting Pothos Cuttings in Soil
Rooting cuttings directly in a potting mix is another simple and effective way to propagate pothos. Here are some tips:
Use a Well-Draining Potting Mix
A houseplant potting mix with added perlite for drainage works perfectly. You can also make your own mix using peat moss, compost, and perlite.
Moisten Soil Before Inserting Cuttings
Lightly water the potting mix before inserting cuttings so it is damp but not soggy. Place cuttings around the edge of the pot.
Bury Cut Ends 1-2 Inches Deep
Insert the cut ends 1-2 inches into the soil, exposing 2-3 leaves. Gently firm down the soil around the cuttings.
Cover the Container with a Plastic Bag
Place the pot in a plastic bag to create a greenhouse environment. Seal the bag with a twist tie or elastic band.
Provide Indirect Light
Keep the covered pot in bright, indirect light. Remove plastic and water when the soil surface becomes dry.
Watch for New Growth
You should see new leaf growth in about 6-8 weeks, signaling that rooting has occurred beneath the soil.
Potting up cuttings directly in the soil saves time. And the covered plastic bag increases humidity around the cuttings, boosting the chances of successful propagation.
Potting Up Rooted Pothos Cuttings
Once your pothos cuttings have developed a vigorous root system in water or soil, it’s time to pot them up! Follow these tips when transplanting into a permanent pot:
Select a Pot with a Drainage Hole
Choose a small pot with drainage holes to allow excess moisture to escape. Plastic or ceramic pots work equally well.
Use Fresh Houseplant Potting Mix
To prevent potential disease transmission, repot with fresh, sterile potting soil. An ideal mix is a general houseplant mix amended with perlite.
Bury the Entire Stem and Roots
Plant cutting at the same depth it was originally rooted, burying the entire stem beneath the soil, including leaves and roots.
Water Thoroughly After Planting
Water well after transplanting to remove air pockets and evenly moisten the soil. Let excess water drain from the bottom.
Increase Light Gradually
At first, keep newly potted cuttings out of direct sun. Slowly introduce brighter light over 7-10 days to harden the plants.
Resume Normal Care
Treat new plants like mature pothos. Allow soil to dry between waterings and provide routine fertilization. Enjoy your new plants!
With the proper care, your potted pothos cuttings will establish quickly and become trailing, vibrant additions to your indoor plant collection.
Enjoy Your Homegrown Pothos!
Growing new pothos plants from cuttings is extremely rewarding. In no time, you’ll have trailing vines perfect for decorating shelves, desks, and more.
You can expand your pothos collection for free with the proper propagation techniques. Share cuttings with friends and green up your indoor spaces. Homegrown pothos make excellent low-maintenance houseplants.
Gardening novices and experts alike will find propagating pothos simple and fun. So give it a try!
Common QuestionsÂ
How long do pothos cuttings take to root?
In water, expect roots to emerge from pothos cuttings in 2-6 weeks. In soil, it may take 6-8 weeks. Patience is required, but rooting will occur more quickly in warm conditions.
Can I use old potting soil for root cuttings?
Using fresh, sterile potting mix when rooting cuttings is best to prevent potential disease transmission from old soil.
What causes pothos cuttings to fail?
Stem rot causes yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and eventual death of cuttings. This is often caused by using unsterilized tools, diseased parent plants, or keeping cuttings too wet.
Should I use rooting hormone on pothos?
Rooting hormone can speed up the rooting process but is not required. Pothos readily produces roots, even without hormones. Use it optionally for a boost.
Can I propagate pothos in soil as well as water?
Yes, pothos can be propagated equally well by rooting the cuttings directly into a moist potting mix. Cover with a plastic bag to retain humidity.
Can I grow pothos cuttings in my aquarium?
Technically, you can root and grow pothos cuttings hydroponically in aquarium water. The plants help filter the water. Just be sure leaves stay above water.
How do I encourage my new pothos to be bushy?
Once the plant is established, prune back the main stem to promote fullness. This encourages side shoots and bushy new growth.