A Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Pothos in Water
Pothos is the perfect "beginner plant"—it's beautiful, easy to care for, and grows incredibly fast. But what's best? Propagating pothos is also incredibly simple. You can easily turn one pothos plant into several, transforming your home into a trailing, verdant oasis, and completely free!
Today, I am walking you through how to propagate pothos in water, from snip to soil. Let’s dive in!
Pothos Water Propagation Guide
Pothos can be propagated through 2 methods: soil rooting and water rooting. While both are effective, water rooting is preferred as it allows you to easily monitor the rooting process, and cuttings that root in water tend to adapt better when transplanted into pots. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather the Materials
Propagating pothos in water only requires common tools. To avoid feeling overwhelmed during the process, we recommend preparing beforehand:
- Scissors (cleaned and sterilized)
- A clear, narrow-necked container or vase
- A small pot
- Well-draining potting soil
Step 2: Select a Healthy Stem
Choose a healthy stem from the mother plant. Look for one that is bright, firm, and free of discoloration or spots. Then, find the little brown bumps called nodes on the stem where new roots will grow. Count 3–4 leaf nodes from the top to the base, and then cut just below the last node near the base.
Step 3: Prepare the Cutting
Trim the stem as needed. You can either remove the leaves at the end and propagate the whole stem, or cut it into smaller pieces, each containing one node. Fill a narrow-necked clear container with water and place the cuttings inside, ensuring the nodes are submerged in water, while the leaves remain above the waterline.
Step 4: Care for the Cutting
Place the vase in a location with bright, indirect light. Gentle morning light or low-intensity LED grow lights are ideal. Avoid direct sunlight, which can harm the cuttings. Do not change the water unless it becomes cloudy. Just top the water off. Pothos releases rooting hormones in the water, so changing the water will get rid of those and slow the rooting progress.
Step 5: Transplant When Ready
Once the roots are about 2 inches long, the cuttings are ready for transplanting. Avoid waiting for lateral roots to form, as extended time in water can cause transplant shock. Choose a small pot with well-draining potting soil. For the first couple of weeks, keep the soil moderately moist and place the plant in indirect light to help it adjust to its new environment.
FAQs
Q1: How long to propagate pothos in water?
Pothos typically takes 2-4 weeks to root in water, depending on the conditions. You'll start to see roots forming within the first week, and by the second to fourth week, the roots should be about 2 inches long and ready for transplanting into soil.
Q2: When to propagate pothos?
The best time to propagate pothos is during the warmer months, typically in spring or summer. However, you can propagate pothos year-round, as long as the plant is healthy. Just keep in mind that rooting may take longer in colder months.
Q3: Is it better to root cuttings in water or soil?
Rooting pothos cuttings in water is generally better because it allows you to see root growth, speeds up the rooting process, and makes transplanting to soil easier. However, rooting directly in soil can be beneficial if you want the cutting to acclimate to its permanent environment from the start and avoid transplant shock.
