Your pothos is more than a beautiful plant you enjoy having in your home. If you want it to be it can turn in to a whole family.
If you learn to propagate your pothos you can have more lovely plants and even sure them with friends and family.
Think of your pothos as the plant you can practice on to get comfortable with propagating. They’re the sort of plant that will forgive you when you do something wrong. So even if you’ve never propagated a plant before you’ve got a great chance of success with pothos.
So I’ll take you through the different methods to propagate pothos planys as well as tips and things I’ve learned along the way to help it all go to plan.
Understanding Pothos Propagation
Propagation is where you create new plants from existing ones. With pothos it’s usually done with stem cuttings.
The way pothos grow is the reason that stem cuttings work so well. And as it’s a relatively easy and straightforward process it means even beginners can do it.
Before You Begin
Take a look at your pothos plant. A healthy pothos will show they’re ready to be propagated by having glossy and bright leaves as well as long vines.
The best cuttings come from stems that have more than a few leaves and those little bumps along the vine. Those are called nodes and they’re one of the most important parts for growing new roots.
When to Propagate
Technically pothos can be propagated at any time. But it’s generally accepted that during the growing season is the best point to do it. So if you’re propagating for the first time it might be a good idea to do it between spring and early fall.
Why? It’s during those months that pothos are growing new leaves and roots. This makes any propagation happen quicker and makes it more likely to work.
But if you do it right and give your plant the right care propagation can be successful at any time of the year.
Materials Needed
- Healthy pothos plant
- Scissors or shears
- Glass or jar for water propagation
- Small pot with soil for soil propagation
- Rooting hormone (not a necessity)
Step-by-Step Propagation Guide
1. Selecting and Preparing the Cutting
Choose a healthy vine from your pothos plant. Using your scissors make a cut just below a node. As mentioned earlier the node is a small lump on the stem. It’s where the leaves and aerial roots will grow from.
Make sure each cutting has at least 2 or 3 leaves and one or two nodes. You need the nodes as it’s where the roots will develop from.
2. Choosing the Propagation Medium
Pothos cuttings can be rooted in water or directly in soil. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages:
| Method | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Water Propagation |
|
|
| Soil Propagation |
|
|
3. Rooting the Cuttings
Water Propagation
- Put the cutting in a glass of water. Make sure the nodes are fully covered by the water but the leaves stay above the waterline.
- Place the glass somewhere that gets bright, indirect light.
- Change the water every few days so the oxygen levels stay high. It will also stop bacteria from growing.
- Roots usually develop within 2 to 4 weeks. Once the roots are at least an inch long the cutting can be moved into soil.
Soil Propagation
- Dip the end you’ve cut of the cutting into rooting hormone (optional) as it will help to make the roots grow.
- Plant the cutting into a pot filled with soil that drains well. Make sure the the node(s) are buried under the surface of the soil.
- Water the soil a little so it’s moist but not waterlogged.
- Put the pot somewhere warm that gets indirect sunlight.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but let the top inch of it dry out between each time you water.
- After a few weeks pull on the cutting. If you feel any resistance that’s a good sign the roots are developing.
Tips for Successful Propagation
- Sanitation: Always use clean tools! It will make sure you’re not spreading or introducing any bacteria or pathogens that ruin your propagation.
- Lighting: Getting enough light is very important. Insufficient light can stop the roots from developing.
- Humidity: Higher humidity levels can make the roots grow quicker. A humidity dome or putting a plastic bag over your cuttings in soil can help. Just make sure the plastic bag or dome doesn’t touch the leaves.
- Patience: Roots take time to fully grow and develop. Try not to check for roots too often as you might disrupt the process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overwatering: Too much will lead to rot. You need a good amount of drainage to stop the soil from getting waterlogged.
- Insufficient Light: Without enough light your cuttings may fail to grow roots. So put them in bright, indirect light for the best results.
- Using Weak or Diseased Cuttings: Always choose healthy, strong stems for propagation as it will give you better chance of them working out.
Alternative Propagation Methods
Stem cuttings are the most common method but pothos can also be propagated through something called layering:
Layering
- Select a healthy vine that is still attached to the plant.
- Find a node on the vine and pin it on to soil in another pot. To hold it down use a paper clip or bit of wire that keeps it in place.
- The node must stay in contact with the soil. And keep the soil moist but not too wet.
- Roots should start to develop at the buried node within a few weeks.
- Once the new plant has roots you can cut the vine from the mother plant and care for it as a regular pothos.
Creative Propagation Projects
Once you feel confident with basic propagation you can try getting a bit more creative.
These are a few fun ideas:
Pothos Wall Art
- Propagate a few cuttings in water until they root.
- Plant them in small pots and arrange them on a wall garden.
- Train the vines to climb or cascade down and it will make an impressive display.
Pothos Terrarium
- Use small pothos cuttings in a glass terrarium and you can make your own mini jungle.
- Add some moss, small ferns and stones to make it really look great.
- Keep the terrarium somewhere that gets indirect sunlight and keep a close eye on the humidity.
Gift a Pothos
- Root cuttings in small pots or jars and you can give them to family and friends.
- Include a card with some kind words to help the recipient enjoy their new plant.
FAQs
These are a few answers to common questions people often have:
How long does it take for pothos cuttings to root?
Generally it’s around 2 to 4 weeks in water, depending on things like light and temperature.
Can I propagate pothos in direct sunlight?
No, direct sunlight can burn the cuttings. Bright, indirect light is perfect.
What if my cutting doesn’t root?
Check for issues like rotting, not enough light or a poor growing cutting. Try again with a fresh cutting and make sure all the conditions are right.
Final Thoughts
Propagating a pothos is fun and can be very satisfying. It’s a simple process and a great way to enjoy and share houseplants.
The more you propagate, the better you’ll understand how to do it well and what they need. It won’t be long until you’re spotting the perfect nodes for propagation and predicting root development just by looking at a cutting’s characteristics.