Propagating Pothos: Simple methods for growing new plants from cuttings

One remarkable feature of the home and garden's common plant Pothos is that it's a hardy little thing; it can grow anywhere and can survive under any circumstances. The Pothos plant, scientifically called Epipremnum aureum, is native to the warm, tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific islands. This potent vine was originally discovered in French Polynesia, where it grew in the damp forests. The plant was beloved by local people as the plant could purify air when its in the room and was helpful to prevent soil erosion.

In the times that followed, the Pothos plant has become the favorite among the gardeners around the world due to the fact that it requires low maintenance and it can be grown anywhere. Its rapid growth and stunning form have made it a popular option among plant enthusiasts, and thus, one of the most popular plants for homes and offices. It fit both indoors and outdoors that creates an interesting environment wherever it is.

Transplanting a Pothos plant is necessary for its well-being. It also keeps the plant from rotting. Also, when the plant leaves get big, they get crowded in that small pot. Return a big new pot to the garden, that is what gardeners require for plants to grow well.

Growcycle has a great collection of Pothos plants and a proper care guide for gardeners. These plants are grown in the best conditions, which helps them flourish everywhere. Each plant is meticulously cared for between deliveries, so they’ve got strong leaves and healthy growth, making they a visually appealing option for any home or garden.

Botany of Pothos

Pothos plant leaves are heart-shaped and bright green, occasionally variegated with yellow or white patterns in varieties such as Golden and Marble Queen. Perfectly grown leaves are up to 12 inches in length. The size and shape of the Pothos leaves may enable the plant to use sunlight efficiently, so that it can thrive even in low-light conditions. These leaves also act as a great air cleaner and bring more value as indoor plants. The Pothos is a beautiful plant known for its trailing foliage, with very attractive leaves.

Pothos develops thick, strong roots that keep the plant well grounded in various environments, whether grown in soil or water. They are fast growers and rapidly take up water and nutrients. Healthy and strong roots are vital for this plant’s health and growth.

Growth Habitat

Pothos are adaptable plants that will do well in several different growing conditions:

• Natural Habitat

In its natural home, the Pothos plant is native to the tropical forest of Southeast Asia as well as some Pacific Islands. This plant occurs in the understory, which is warm, moist, and subjected to bright but indirect light. The environment allows the Pothos to climb trees and other surfaces, using aerial roots to reach more sunlight or absorb moisture from the wind.

• Indoor Gardening

Pothos plants also perform well in a variety of indoor spaces. They do particularly well in offices and homes with less natural light because they like bright, indirect light, but can also tolerate low light. So while whatever is falling from heaven is happening, getting that soil moisture just right is critical for indoor growth; allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering can help prevent root rot.

• Outdoor Cultivation

It loves warm weather and just a little bit of shade when it’s grown outside, meaning it’s great for the patio or for garden spots that aren’t too sunny. This plant is suitable for growing in containers or planted directly in the ground, provided the soil is well-draining. If you can't grow Pothos outdoors, consider bringing them inside during the winter to protect them from frost and inclement weather.

Related: Preparing Your Lawn for Winter: The Best Fertilizers to Use in Cold Weather

Methods to Propagate Pothos

Pothos can grow through various propagation methods, but the following three are most common:

1. Propagating Pothos in Water

There are several ways in which pothos is propagated, but these are the most popular:

Materials and Tools Required 

• Choose a healthy Pothos plant to take the cuttings from. Its condition will determine whether the propagation will be successful or not.
• Cuttings should be taken with clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors. This cutter snaps cleanly and does not damage the plant.
• You will need a clean glass vase or jar with which you can fill the other end of the cuttings. Go with one wide enough to hold more than one cutting.
• Cover the pot with fresh, room-temperature water. This also keeps the cuttings from being shocked with extreme temperatures when in the water.
• Not a physical tool but a little bright but indirect sun for gardeners will go a long way in helping their roots along.
• It is not required, but if you would like your plant to be actively growing, you can apply a diluted liquid fertilizer once roots are established for added growth and nutrition.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Begin with a healthy Pothos plant to propagate. Look for stems with a minimum of 2 to 4 leaves that are free from disease or damage.
• Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to cut sections that are 4 to 6 inches long. Each cutting should have a node, the little bump on the stem from which leaves and roots will grow.
• When you trim the stems, be sure to remove any leaves from the part of the stem that will be placed in the water. This prevents rot and ensures that only the node of the cutting is touching water, which is important for root growth.
• You need to fill a clean glass or jar with room temperature water. The cuttings are placed into the water so that one node is submerged while the leaves stay above.
• Place the jar somewhere that receives bright, indirect sunlight, which helps the roots grow strong.
• Replacing the water every week or two will keep it fresh and clean. This action also prevents the bacteria from growing, and the cuttings stay sound and healthy.
• It will only be a few weeks and the underwater nodes will start to produce roots. Watch how the roots form. Once the cuttings grow to 2 or 4 inches long, they are then ready to be planted in the soil.
• Fill a pot with some good draining soil. Create a small hole in the ground and gently place the rooted cutting in the hole, making sure it sits up straight and that the roots are covered. Give it a light watering to firm the soil around the roots, and place the pot in a warm spot with plenty of light so that it can grow more vigorously.
• Once you have transplanted it, ensuring that the new Pothos plant is happy is also very important. You give it bright, indirect light to help it grow strong. You should water only when the soil is dry to avoid leaving your plant sitting in soggy soil.
• The Pothos thrives with ample care and will add a burst of green.

2. Propagating Pothos in Soil

Growing Pothos in the dirt is a great way to increase your collection of this hardy, low-maintenance plant. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to propagate:

Materials and Tools Required

• Select cuttings at least 4 to 6 inches long and that each have a node to encourage the roots to grow.
• Use a high-quality potting mix for adequate drainage and aeration. It likes to be mixed with perlite and peat moss.
• Choose pots with drainage holes to avoid water from pooling and the risk of root rot.
• Water cuttings lightly after planting with watering can or spray bottle to keep soil moist, but not soggy.
• Leave the lid on the pot (if it has one) which can help keep the humidity up, which is good in the early days of rooting.
• If more than one variety or cutting is grown, labeling those can enable you to monitor their progress and care requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Healthy cuttings are crucial for propagating Pothos in soil. Select stems 4 to 6 inches long with several leaves. The cuttings need to have a node, which is the important place for root development.
• A good potting mix is important for propagation. Peat moss, perlite, and potting soil combined can aid in air circulation and drainage. Once the mix is ready, fill a small pot or container with the soil, but make sure to leave some room at the top.
• Make some small holes in the soil with a finger or pencil. Place a cutting in each of these holes, burying it so that the node is in the soil and the leaves are not. And give the cuttings a hand by coaxing, not pressing, the soil around them.
• After planting, water the cuttings lightly to settle the soil around their roots. While moist soil is crucial, soggy soil should be prevented to prevent root rot.
• Setting the pot in a warm area with plenty of indirect, bright sunlight will encourage growth. The ideal temperatures for Pothos to thrive in are from 70°F to 90°F.
• If you have a plastic bag or a clear plastic dome to cover your pot, it is highly recommended to encourage young root development by maintaining high humidity.
• Keep an eye on your cuttings for any new growth, as this may take a couple of weeks. Attention to water – sufficient water, but not too much, to avoid drowning the roots. Once the cuttings grow robust roots, they can be maintained as if you would care for adult Pothos plants.
• When they’re putting out strong new growth and tooty, and roots are coming out of the drainage holes, well then, it’s time to move them on to bigger pots. For this step, you need some fresh potting mix. Every plant should be carefully shifted to the new pot, with roots really buried under the soil. Despite their durability, the plants still require proper care to flourish.

3. Propagating Pothos in Sphagnum Moss

Rooting Golden Pothos in sphagnum moss certainly provides for great moisture retention as well as good aeration, helping your plant to establish healthier roots. Here’s how to propagate Pothos in sphagnum moss step-by-step:

Materials and Tools Required

• Choose 4 to 6-inch long shoots with at least one node for rooting.
• Choose dry, non-contaminated sphagnum moss that holds some moisture but allows plenty of air flow. This is important for rooting success.
• You’ll also need a plastic bag, terrarium or small greenhouse that can be sealed to maintain the high humidity necessary for the cuttings.
• Before planting the cuttings, lightly moisten the sphagnum moss with a water can or spray bottle so that it is evenly moistened but not soaked.
• You will need a sharp cutting tool in order to make cuttings from a healthy Pothos without damaging the plant. 

Step-by-Step Guide

• You're going to need some clean, dry, or unmasked sphagnum moss. This is a moisture-retaining moss with air circulation, and is great for roots to flourish when cuttings begin rooting. By virtue of its unique characteristics, it provides growth stimulation and plant rooting.
• Soak the sphagnum moss in the water for ten to fifteen minutes until it is saturated. Then squeeze out as much water as possible after soaking. The moss should be cold and moist, but not wet; that is the perfect condition for the roots to start growing.
• In order to have success with such propagation, it is essential to carefully select a good, healthy cutting. Choose 4 to 6-inch-long cuttings, and make sure each one has at least one node. To avoid rot, remove all leaves from the cuttings beneath the moss; any that come into contact with the moss can cause rot.
• Just make sure you use a container that will hold in moisture, like a plastic bag, terrarium, or small greenhouse. Once you have the proper vessel, fill it with the damp sphagnum moss, forming a cushy bed for the cuttings. This will keep the cuttings snug, as they send out roots.
• Push the cuttings down into the moss, ensuring that the nodes are covered entirely. Leave them space to breathe (which helps prevent sticking). Gently press some moss around the cuttings to keep them in place.
• Close the container to ensure a high humidity without losing too much water. If using a bag, tie it loosely so air can circulate while trapping humidity.
• The container can be placed in a sunny area or an area that gets full sun, with lots of indirect, bright light. Keeping the temperature warm is also important; a temperature range from 70°F to 90°F is best, because at that temperature, the roots will form well.
• Regular checks of the moss for moisture mean everything is just right. And when the moss does start to dry a bit, a quick misting restores the humidity necessary for the cuttings. Watching for new growth is just fine; it means the roots are fine.
• The cuttings are then ready to be planted into pots of soil when roots are formed and new leaves are growing. The roots are delicate, so carefully pull them free from the moss. And then, perform the regular potting process to help the plants settle into their new house.

Best Time to Propagate Pothos

For gardeners, the best times to propagate the Pothos plant are:

• Spring Season

This is when Pothos comes into growth, so it’s a good time to propagate too. As the weather warms and the days lengthen, plants show more activity, allowing them to develop new roots and grow. It's also a great time of year for the cuttings to take hold and establish a foothold.

• Early Summer

Early summer is also a great opportunity to propagate your collections. The increased warmth and light of the longer days and hot weather stimulate good rooting of the cuttings. Pothos is healthy now, so it’ll be easier to root new cuttings into healthy plants.

• Avoiding Winter

Growing season, winter time, especially, is not the best time to propagate your Pothos plants. Roots grow more sluggishly in cooler temperatures and with reduced sunlight, so cuttings are less likely to survive. For promoting healthy new growth under better growing conditions, waiting until spring is preferable.

Related: Top 10 Best Lawn Fertilizers for a Healthy Yard

Useful Tips for Propagation

A few tips for better here store plant success:

• Select healthy, vibrant stems from a well-maintained Pothos plant.
• Use sharp, clean scissors to make a smooth cut just below a node.
• Make sure not to break the nodes with the cuttings.
• Humidity and light play a big part in how well roots develop, so make sure to monitor both on a regular basis.
• If you are planting it into soil, gently straighten the new roots and use a pot only a size or so larger than the rootball going into it.
• Look for pest and disease problems in cuttings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can err when it comes to propagating plants. One common problem is root rot, which is caused by overwatering the cuttings. It is also important to give the cuttings enough light, as they will grow more slowly if they do not have enough.

Roots take time to grow, so patience is key. Rushing through this process can frustrate you. Having faith in what is being done can result in the satisfaction of watching fresh new plants thrive.

FAQs

How long does it take for Pothos cuttings to root?

Pothos cuttings generally develop roots in 2 to 4 weeks. Light, temperature, and the manner of propagation can alter how fast this occurs. By keeping an eye on these variables, gardeners can achieve better results.

Can Pothos grow in low light?

Opt for a pothos in a dark room as well; they can do well with very little light. Still, giving the plant brighter, indirect light may help it grow more quickly and with a more attractive leaf.

Is it necessary to use rooting hormone for propagation?

No, you do not need to use rooting hormone, but it can be helpful. It promotes faster rooting of the cuttings, and improves the chances of the cuttings' rooting.

The Bottom Line

Growing Pothos plants at home is a simple way to start indoor gardening. Growers can improve their skills by learning and trying different propagation methods. Each step brings new opportunities to create more beautiful plants and enjoy the process. Visit Growcycle to find the necessary tools and supplies for propagating Pothos plants. With their expert tips and suggestions, gardeners can enjoy thriving Pothos plant growth.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.