How to Propagate Pothos Plants

How to Propagate Pothos in Water

Propagating pothos in water is the most popular and common method, and it's super easy to do. Plus, it's fun! You can watch your cuttings grow roots right in front of your eyes and transitioning these plants from water to soil is pretty effortless. All you'll need is your cuttings, a container, and some water.

1. Take Stem Cuttings
   

   Using a pair of sharp and sterilized pruning shears or scissors, take stem cuttings from your mother plant. Each cutting should have at least 3 to 4 nodes. The nodes are the small bumps along the stem where the leaves and aerial roots grow. They are also where the new roots will grow on the cuttings.

2. Remove the Bottom Leaves

   Once you have your stem cuttings, you will need to remove the bottom leaves from the cuttings as the bottom of the cuttings will be in water. You can cut the leaves off or gently pull them from the stem. Ensure you leave at least 1 to 2 leaves at the top of each cutting.

3. Place the Cuttings in Water

   Fill a small container with fresh water and place the stem cuttings in the water, ensuring that the leaves stay above the surface of the water and the nodes on the stem are submerged. You can use clear or colored glass jars, plastic containers, or small vases—whatever you have on hand.

4. Change the Water Once a Week

   While the cuttings are growing, it is best to change the water once a week to keep it fresh. Roots should begin to grow from the nodes along the stem within a couple of weeks.

5. Plant the Rooted Cuttings in Soil

   Once the cuttings have roots that are at least 2 to 3 inches long, they can be moved from water to soil. Use a well-draining soil mixture and plant the cuttings in a small pot with drainage holes. Give the freshly potted plant a good watering and return it to a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first one to two weeks to help the roots acclimate to the soil.

How to Propagate Pothos in Soil

If you want to skip the water step altogether, you can also propagate pothos directly in soil. This method is pretty reliable as well although slightly less common. For this method, it's best to use rooting hormone, and you will also need a pot and some well-draining soil mix.

1. Take Stem Cuttings
   

   Using a pair of sharp and sterilized pruning shears or scissors, take stem cuttings from your mother plant. Each cutting should have at least 3 to 4 nodes. The nodes are the small bumps along the stem where the leaves and aerial roots grow. They are also where the new roots will grow on the cuttings.

2. Remove the Bottom Leaves

   Remove the bottom leaves from each cutting, leaving at least 1 to 2 leaves at the top. You can cut the leaves off or gently pull them from the stem.
   

3. Dip the Cutting in Rooting Hormone

   Take the cut end of each stem cutting and gently dip it in a powder rooting hormone.

4. Plant the Cuttings in Soil

   Make a small hole in the soil using your finger. Take the cutting dipped in rooting hormone and place it in the hole. Ensure that the pot you choose has drainage holes and is not too large. Add a well-draining potting mix to the pot and push the stem cuttings down into the soil so that the nodes along the stem are buried and the top leaves are above the soil. Pat the soil down firmly but gently to ensure the cuttings stay in place.

5. Keep the Soil Moist

   Place the potted cuttings in a location that receives bright, indirect light and water them well. It is important to keep the soil evenly moist (but not soaking) while the cuttings are growing roots. After a few weeks, you can begin letting the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

How to Propagate Pothos in Sphagnum Moss

Lastly, pothos can be easily propagated in sphagnum moss. Some growers are experienced with using sphagnum moss for other plants and prefer this medium. If you haven't had success with the other methods, then this may be worth a try. However, for most people, using water or soil is easier especially if you don't already have sphagnum moss on hand.

1. Soak the Sphagnum Moss
   

   Sphagnum moss is often purchased dry, so before using it for propagating, it will need to be soaked for 20 to 30 minutes to rehydrate it. Fill a bowl with water and submerge the moss entirely. Set it aside while you complete the rest of the steps.

2. Take Stem Cuttings
   

   Using a pair of sharp and sterilized pruning shears or scissors, take stem cuttings from your mother plant. Each cutting should have at least 3 to 4 nodes. The nodes are the small bumps along the stem where the leaves and aerial roots grow. They are also where the new roots will grow on the cuttings.

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3. Remove the Bottom Leaves
   

   Remove the bottom leaves from each cutting, leaving at least 1 to 2 leaves at the top. You can cut the leaves off or gently pull them from the stem.

4. Place the Cuttings in the Moss
   

   Once the moss is finished soaking, remove it from the water and wring it out to remove as much of the water as possible. The moss should be moist but not soaking once you are finished. Add a small amount of the sphagnum moss to a glass or plastic container or vase and then place the cuttings in the moss. The bottom of the stems with the exposed nodes should be completely covered with moss, while the remaining leaves at the top should sit above the moss. Gently press the moss down around the cuttings, secure them, and ensure the moss is touching the nodes of the cuttings.

5. Keep the Sphagnum Moss Moist
   

   Place the cuttings in a location that receives bright, indirect light and keep the sphagnum moss evenly moist. It will likely take a couple of weeks before roots begin to grow, and it is very important that the moss stays moist (but not soaking) the entire time.

6. Plant the Rooted Cuttings in Soil
   

   Once the cuttings have roots that are at least 2 to 3 inches long, they can be planted in soil. This will likely take a few weeks but could take over a month. Use a well-draining soil mixture and plant the cuttings in a small pot with drainage holes. Give the freshly potted plant a good watering and return it to a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first one to two weeks to help the roots acclimate to the soil.