Last Updated on April 8, 2025 by April
Propagating a pothos plant is a fun and budget-friendly way to expand your plant collection or manage an overgrown specimen. The process is straightforward and requires minimal supplies.
Taking cuttings and rooting them in water is the most reliable method for pothos propagation. This technique allows you to observe root development clearly before transferring to soil.
What You’ll Need:
- Healthy pothos plant
- Clean scissors or pruning shears
- Glass containers
- Fresh water
- Small pots with drainage
- Potting soil (when ready to plant)
The entire process from cutting to planting typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on growing conditions. You’ll find this method particularly rewarding as you watch new roots develop in water before establishing them in soil.
Step 1: Trim Your Pothos Plant
When your pothos vines grow excessively long—potentially reaching your own height—it’s time for pruning. Examine your plant and determine your desired vine length. Overgrown pothos may require untangling, especially if you’ve been wrapping vines around other plants to keep them away from pets.
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut directly below the lowest leaf node you wish to keep. This creates a clean cut that promotes healthy regrowth.
Carefully separate each vine and lay them out individually on your work surface. This organization helps you:
- See exactly what you’re working with
- Prepare vines for potential propagation
- Ensure you don’t accidentally cut too much
Remember that regular trimming encourages fuller growth and maintains a manageable plant size.
Step 3: Cut the Pothos Stems Into Individual Nodes
After preparing your pothos stems, you’ll need to cut them into individual nodes for successful propagation. Rather than rooting entire stems (which takes longer and often creates plants that struggle when transferred to soil), focus on creating single leaf cuttings.
Make clean cuts on both sides of each leaf stem, leaving a small section of the main vine attached below the leaf. Look closely at the vine and you’ll notice small brown bumps – these are nodes where new roots will develop.
Important node identification tip: The nodes are essential for successful propagation, as they contain the growth tissue needed to produce roots. Make sure each cutting includes at least one node.
Step 4: Place the Pothos Stems in Water and Wait
Find suitable containers for your pothos cuttings, such as small juice glasses or similar vessels. Fill each container with fresh water and position your cuttings so the cut ends stay underwater.
Keep your cuttings in a spot that’s both warm and bright to encourage root development. Remember to check on them every few days and refresh the water completely. This water replacement is crucial because oxygen gradually depletes in standing water, which can impede root growth.
Water Change Schedule:
- Check cuttings every 2-3 days
- Dump old water completely
- Refill with fresh water at room temperature
Step 5: Identifying When Pothos Cuttings Are Ready for Soil
Patience is key when waiting for pothos cuttings to develop sufficient roots before planting. Your cuttings are ready for soil once they’ve grown roots approximately one inch long. While you might end up with longer roots (two to three inches) if waiting for multiple cuttings to develop, this isn’t necessarily better.
Important timing note: Don’t wait too long before transferring to soil. Water-adapted roots can struggle to transition to soil environments if left in water for extended periods. When you notice some cuttings have adequate root development while others lag behind, it’s best to:
- Remove the well-rooted cuttings from water
- Plant these ready cuttings in soil
- Keep the slower-developing cuttings in water until they form sufficient roots
Step 6: Planting and Growing Your Pothos Cuttings
Begin by filling a container approximately two-thirds full with fresh potting mix. Position your rooted cuttings around the pot’s perimeter first, adding soil as needed to keep them stable and upright. Once the edges are populated, place additional cuttings in the center area and fill with more soil to secure them properly.
Give your newly planted cuttings a thorough watering until you see water flowing from the drainage holes. Allow excess water to drain completely before placing the pot in its permanent location.
Your pothos cuttings will now require the same care as established plants:
- Moderate indirect light
- Allow soil to dry between waterings
- Regular dust removal from leaves
- Occasional fertilizing during growing season
