How to Propagate Pothos: Water and Soil Methods

Quick answer: You can propagate pothos from healthy stem cuttings using either water or soil. Take a 4–6 inch cutting with 2–4 leaves, ensure it has at least one node (the small brown bump where leaves attach), and place it in water or moist soil in bright indirect light. Roots typically appear within 1–2 weeks, and the cutting is ready to pot up or grow on in about 3–6 weeks.

Taking and Preparing Your Cutting

The foundation of successful propagation is a good cutting. Take a healthy stem cutting 4–6 inches long with 2–4 leaves, and remove the leaves a few inches above the cut.

Nodes are the single most important part of the cutting—the small brown bumps or ridges on the stem where a leaf attaches. Without a node, a cutting cannot produce roots, regardless of how long it sits in water; a leaf alone will not root. You need at least one node per cutting.

Make your cuts straight across, just below a node.

Water Propagation Method

Water propagation is the fastest and easiest way to see roots develop.

1. Place your stem in a jar or vessel filled with room temperature water, ensuring the node where you cut sits below the water line.
2. Place the jar in a bright spot with indirect light and change the water every few days.
3. Under good conditions—a warm room (18°C or above), bright indirect light, and regular water changes—you’ll see visible root nubs within one to two weeks.
4. Roots will typically appear within two to four weeks, at which point you can transfer the cutting to soil or keep it growing in water.

Transfer to soil when roots are 1–1.5 cm long. Roots longer than 8–10 cm have adapted to water conditions and can struggle to transition to soil.

Soil Propagation Method

Soil propagation suits those who want to skip the transplanting step.

1. Prepare a clean container with well-draining, pre-moistened potting soil and dab a pencil into the soil to create a hole for the cutting.
2. Place the cutting so that 2–3 of the bottom nodes are tucked into the soil.
3. Place the pot in indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist for 1–2 weeks.
4. Once roots establish (3–4 weeks), reduce moisture to normal watering—only water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feels dry.

Use a well-draining mix, such as orchid bark, perlite, peat, or coco coir, to prevent root rot and compaction.

After Rooting: Care and Growth

Once your propagation has rooted and is growing, treat it like a young pothos plant. Provide bright, indirect light, and maintain moderate to high humidity, generally above 40 percent. Keep temperatures between 60°F and 85°F for optimal growth.

As the plant matures, regular pruning encourages fuller growth and helps maintain the shape you want.

FAQ

How long does it take for pothos to root?

Under good conditions, visible root nubs appear within one to two weeks, with full roots developing within two to four weeks overall.

Can I grow pothos cuttings permanently in water?

Yes. Once roots form, a pothos cutting can stay in water indefinitely if you change the water regularly and provide bright indirect light.

Is pothos toxic to pets?

Pothos is toxic to dogs and cats. Clinical signs include oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Keep propagations and mature plants out of reach of pets and children.

More about Pothos

• Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow?
• Why Are My Pothos Leaves Curling?
• How Often Should You Water Pothos?

Sources

• How to Propagate Pothos in Water
• Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos) – Plant Care 101
• Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Golden Pothos

Photo: Curtis Adams / Pexels, Pexels