Pothos Propagation: How To Propagate A Pothos

Pothos plants are among the most favored indoor plants due to their adaptability to light, water, and fertilization. Propagating a pothos is also a straightforward process, involving the simple identification of a node on the stem.

The process of propagating pothos starts by identifying the root nodes located on the stem just below the juncture of the leaves or branches. These small bumps on the stem are crucial for successful pothos propagation. Whenever your mature pothos plant becomes too long or leggy, simply give it a trim to maintain its healthy growth.

Pothos Propagation – How to Propagate a Pothos

To propagate a pothos plant, start by taking healthy stem cuttings that are 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) long and have at least four leaves. Remove the leaf closest to the cut end. Once you have cut your stems, you can proceed with rooting. Pothos propagation can be done in two ways, and you can try both to see which one works best for you.

  1. Water propagation: Place the stem cuttings in a jar or vase filled with water, ensuring that the nodes are submerged. Change the water every few days and place the container in a bright, indirect light location. After a few weeks, the cuttings should develop roots and can be transplanted to soil.
  2. Soil propagation: Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone and plant it in a small pot filled with well-draining potting soil. Water the soil thoroughly and place the pot in a bright, indirect light location. Keep the soil moist and wait for the plant to develop roots and new growth.

The first method of propagating pothos involves placing the cut ends of the stems in water. An old glass or jelly jar is ideal for rooting pothos cuttings. Place the jar in a location with bright, indirect light but avoid direct sunlight. After about a month, the roots should begin to show, or once they grow to be 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long, you can plant the cuttings in soil and treat them as you would any other houseplant.

Pothos Propagation – Steps

Pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is a popular houseplant that is easy to propagate. Here are the steps to propagate a pothos:

  1. Choose a healthy pothos plant: Select a healthy pothos plant that has long vines and plenty of leaves. The plant should be free from any diseases or pests.
  2. Take cuttings: Cut 4-6 inch long stems from the pothos plant. Ensure that each cutting has at least two leaves and a node. Nodes are the small bumps on the stem where leaves and roots grow from.
  3. Remove lower leaves: Remove the leaves from the lower part of the stem, leaving only the top two leaves intact.
  4. Place cuttings in water: Place the cuttings in a jar or vase filled with water. Make sure that the nodes are submerged in the water.
  5. Wait for roots to grow: Place the jar or vase in a bright, indirect light location and change the water every few days. After a few weeks, the cuttings should start to develop roots.
  6. Plant the cuttings: Once the roots are around 1-2 inches long, plant the cuttings in a pot filled with well-draining potting soil. Water the soil thoroughly and place the pot in a bright location.
  7. Care for the new plant: Water the new plant regularly, but make sure not to overwater. Pothos plants thrive in bright, indirect light and can tolerate low light conditions. Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season to encourage growth.

The preferred method for propagating pothos starts the same as the first. Take the pothos cuttings and remove the first leaf above the cut ends. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, ensuring that you cover the first set of root nodes. Plant the cuttings in a potting mixture consisting of half peat moss and half perlite or sand. Keep the soil moist and place your rooting pothos in an area with bright, indirect light, avoiding direct sunlight. Roots should develop after about a month, and after two or three months, the new plants will be ready to be transplanted into their own pots.