Growing a pothos in water is a lot easier than you would think. It’s both a fun and straightforward way to add some plant life to your home.
But if you’ve never grown a plant this way before you might not be sure how to get started. Well this simple guide will take you through how to do it, the benefits, what could go wrong and more.
Why Grow Pothos in Water?
Pothos plants are known for how resilient and adaptable they are. But growing one in water is has a few advantages:
- Low Maintenance: Without the need for soil you don’t have to worry about overwatering or pests that live in the soil.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Clear containers let you see the roots as they grow.
- Space Efficiency: Ideal for small apartments or offices where there isn’t much space.
Getting Started: Materials You’ll Need
Before you start growing your pothos get these items:
- Healthy Pothos Plant: You’ll need a mature pothos to take the cuttings from.
- Sharp, Clean Scissors or Pruning Shears: Using these means you clean cuts, which will make infections less likely to happen.
- Container: A glass jar or vase works well. Using a clear glass lets you keep an eye on how the roots are growing.
- Water: Filtered or distilled water is preferable as it doesn’t have any chlorine or other chemicals in it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Pothos in Water
1. Select and Prepare Cuttings:
- Choose a healthy vine from your mother pothos.
- Cut a 6 inch section just below a node (thats where the leaf joins the stem).
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving at least one or two at the top.
2. Rooting the Cuttings:
- Place the cut end into your pot filled with water. Make sure the nodes is fully covered with water.
- Put the container in a spot with bright, indirect light.
- Change the water every 5 to 7 days to keep it fresh and full of oxygen.
3. Monitoring Growth:
- Within 2 to 4 weeks you should start to see some roots growing from the node.
- Once the roots are 2 to 3 inches long the plant is mestablished.
4. Ongoing Care:
- Continue to change the water every week.
- Every 4 to 6 weeks add some fertilizer (dilute first) so it gets the nutrients it needs.
- Trim the vines to whatever length you like or need. This will also make the growth bushier.
Choosing the Right Container
While any container that is watertight should be good enough there are a few things to consider:
- Clear Glass: Allows you to watch the roots and see how healthy they are.
- Opaque Containers: Can make algae less likely to grow but does stop you seeing the roots.
- Size: Make sure the opening supports the cutting without letting it fall in completely.
Light and Placement
Pothos plants need bright, indirect light to really do well. So don’t put yours in direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.
A north or east facing window is usually perfect. Remember though that while pothos can grow in less light it will be slower and variegated varieties might have less color.
Water Quality and Maintenance
The quality of water is also important for how healthy your pothos is.
- Use Filtered or Distilled Water: Tap water often has chemicals like chlorine in it which can damage your pothos. So using distilled or filtered water is the way to avoid this.
- Regular Water Changes: Refresh the water every week so it doesn’t go stagnant and you’ll be replacing the oxygen in the water too.
- Cleaning the Container: Over time algae can start to grow. If you notice any then clean the pot or jar with soap and rinse it thoroughly before refilling with water.
Fertilizing Your Water Grown Pothos
Pothos doesn’t need fertilizing and can survive in just water. But it will help to grow faster if you give it the occasional bit of fertilizer.
- Diluted Liquid Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer that is made for hydroponic plants and diluted to one quarter of its strength.
- Frequency: Feed your pothos every 4 to 6 weeks.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even though pothos is tough it can still have some problems.
- Yellowing Leaves: Often a sign of too much sun or not getting enough nutrients. Try moving where your pothos is and think about feeding it if you haven’t done so recently.
- Algae Growth: If algae becomes a problem maybe switch to an opaque container. Or you can move it to a spot with less light.
- Root Rot: To stop this from happening you need to change the water regularly and don’t let leaves go under the water. When they start to die they can contaminate the water.
Transitioning from Water to Soil (If Desired)
While many enjoy keeping pothos in water indefinitely you want to move it into soil.
- Wait for Healthy Root Development: Make sure the roots are at least 2 to 3 inches long.
- Planting: Put the rooted cutting into a pot with soil that drains well.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after you’ve planted it and then keep it moist m for the first few weeks so it can get used to the new conditions.
Benefits of Growing Pothos in Water
Apart from being easy to grow and looking good growing pothos in water has some benefits.
- Pest Reduction: pests that live in the soil aren’t something you have to worry about when you grow your pothos in water.
- Hydroponic Adaptation: Pothos are one of the best plants for hydroponic beginners. It’s also a lot of fun to watch the roots growing in water and a good way to learn how things work.
Decorating with Water Grown Pothos
Pothos growing in water can also be part of the decorations in your house. You can use them in a variety of creative and different ways.
Table Centerpieces
- Put your pothos cuttings in a small, clear jars with to make elegant centerpieces.
- Group more than one containers together for a really beautiful display.
Wall and Shelf Displays
- Use macrame holders to hang your pothos jars on a wall.
- Line up bottles on a shelf and let the vines fall down. They look like a green waterfall.
Aquatic Pairing with Fish Tanks
- If you have a fish tank then some pothos roots can dangle inside and actually filter the water naturally.
- Just make sure the leaves stay out of the water so they don’t start to decay.
Soil vs. Water for Pothos Growth
| Aspect | Water Grown Pothos | Soil Grown Pothos |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Easy to maintain; no watering needed | Requires regular watering |
| Pests | Virtually pest free | Prone to pests in the soil |
| Growth Rate | Slower, but steady | Generally faster |
| Aesthetics | Modern, minimalist appeal | Traditional and natural |
| Fertilizing | Not often and diluted | Regular feeding needed |
Tips for Thriving Pothos in Water
- Activated Charcoal: Add a small piece of activated charcoal to the container. It keeps bacteria from growing and the water fresh.
- Water Depth: Don’t overfill the container as the roots need oxygen. Only the nodes should be covered by the water. Keep the leaves above it.
- Rotation for Light: If your container is near a window try to rotate it every week. This stops the plant from leaning in one direction and you should get more even growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can pothos survive in water forever?
Absolutely! If you change the water often and give it some fertilizer from time to time then your pothos can stay in water for as long as you like. Many gardeners, including myself, have kept pothos in water for years without any issues.
2. Do water-grown pothos grow as fast as soil-grown ones?
Water grown pothos usually grow a little slower than ones brown in soil but they make up for it with growth that’s easier to manage.
3. What kind of fertilizer should I use?
Look for a liquid fertilizer designed for hydroponics or houseplants. Don’t use too much though as it can harm your pothos.
4. Why are the roots turning brown?
Brown roots can be a sign of root rot, which is usually caused by dirty or stagnant water. Change the water potentially and trim away any roots that you can see are rotting.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Leaves Turning Yellow
- Cause: Too much sunlight or not enough nutrients.
- Solution: Move the plant somewhere that gets indirect light and maybe give it some diluted fertilizer.
Algae Growth in the Container
- Cause: Too much light.
- Solution: Switch to an opaque container or give the water less light.
Slow Growth
- Cause: Low light or lack of nutrients.
- Solution: Move to a brighter spot or add a bit of fertilizer.
My Favorite Varieties for Water Growth
These are my picks for growing pothos in water:
- Golden Pothos: The classic variety. It has heart shaped leaves with yellow steaks in them. It grows really well in water.
- Marble Queen: Its white and green marbled leaves look amazing when it’s suspended in clear glass.
- Neon Pothos: The leaves on this one practically glow when grown in water.
- Jade Pothos: Solid green and incredibly tough, it’s the best choice for growing somewhere without much light.
Final Thoughts
Growing pothos in water is a lot of fun. Getting to watch the roots form and vines grow is that bit different, and you get to enjoy all of that the haste of soil!
You’ll start with just one cutting but soon find yourself hooked on this easy and adaptable way of growing and caring for your plant.