If you’re an ultimate lover of indoor plants, learn How to Propagate Pothos to multiply this low-maintenance houseplant in easy steps!
Golden Pothos, also called Devil’s ivy, are the most commonly seen houseplants. They are forgiving, require low maintenance, and don’t have specific requirements for light, watering, or fertilization. And not just growing them is easy, propagating them is easier too. Let’s find out in detail below!
Check out our article on the best pothos to grow indoors here
Propagating Pothos
Before starting with pothos propagation, it is important to know a few essential points:
- Pothos can be propagated both in water and soil.
- For propagating in both mediums, you need a healthy 4-6 inches long cutting with 1-2 nodes and a small pot, a glass jar, or any other creative container.
Learn How to Grow Any Pothos Plant here
Growing Pothos in Water
The first step starts with getting a glass jar. Fill it up with fresh water and place the cutting in it.
Let the nodes submerge entirely in water, as it is going to aid in the formation of the roots.
Keep the pot in a spot where it can get bright indirect sunlight. Always keep the plant away from the harsh afternoon sun, as it can harm the tender, budding plant. The roots are going to form within a month.
Once the roots form, keep the plant in the glass jar in water or plant it in soil. However, do remember once pothos roots adapt to grow in the water, it will be difficult for them to change the growing medium. Therefore, it’s better to let them grow the way it is.
Check out some amazing ideas on planting pothos here
Growing Pothos in Soil
The process is similar to the one for water. Dip the cut end of cutting in a rooting hormone and plant it in a potting mixture, covering the nodes completely in the soil. Keep the soil moist while ensuring that you are not overwatering the plant, as it can cause root rot.
The roots are going to form in 30-40 days, and it is going to take about two months or more for the plant to start new growth. Keep the soon-to-be-a-new plant away from direct sunlight. With the right care and exposure to sufficient light and warmth, the plant is going to flourish for a long time to come.
Don’t miss checking out these proven pothos plant uses and benefits here
Growing Pothos in Soil from Layering
Layering is a process where the developed stem of the plant grows roots while still being attached to the donor (mother plant) plant. A low-growing stem of an existing plant is bent into the soil in another pot.
For this, select any pothos stem and bend it, cover half of it with soil and let the remaining top part be exposed to the air. Make sure the buried part has at least one node. It will form roots in 3-4 weeks.
Similarly, you can grow pothos from air layering too. Select a healthy node, and wrap it tightly with a plastic filled with sphagnum moss. Unwrap the plastic once in 4-5 days to mist the moss with water. The node will root in a couple of weeks.
The best time to propagate pothos from layering is when the weather is warm and slightly humid. Make sure that you are bending a mature and healthy branch.
For more information, watch this detailed video
Pothos Propagation Mistakes
1. Taking the Stem from the Wrong Spot
For roots to grow, one of the nodes, along with the stem, has to be under the soil or water. Also, if too much of the stem is left below a node when it is submerged in the water, the roots will not develop.
In the same way, if cuttings have foliage at the top but no nodes at the base, the roots will not emerge.
2. Lack of Light
Keeping the cuttings in a too-dark area can interrupt growth. Though pothos plant can thrive in low light, it will do best in bright indirect light; exposure to mild morning sun is also good. Keep in mind that cuttings in low light conditions take a long time to develop roots.
Here are the top tips on getting split leaves on pothos
3. Not Changing the Water
Roots thrive in water due to the presence of oxygen, but after some days, the oxygen in the water gets exhausted, and the roots suffocate. Make sure to change the water every couple of days or when it turns cloudy.
4. Allowing the Cutting to Heal
Keep in mind that callusing a cutting is only required while planting succulents. This prevents succulents from rotting as they contain water.
For pothos, it is unnecessary to make the cuttings callus; just plant them straight into soil or water.
5. Lack of Warmth
Pothos appreciate the warmth, and if you keep the cuttings in the cold, then it will obstruct root growth. The ideal temperature will be above 60 F (15 C) in the presence of some light.
6. Changing the Growing Medium Too Late
The roots of water-grown cuttings are slightly different from the soil; they are more delicate and adjust to get everything from water alone. The more time you keep the roots in water, the tougher it will be for them to live in the soil.
If you want to change the growing medium from water to soil, it’s better to move your cuttings to the soil when the roots grow about an inch.
Learn all about growing Manjula pothos here
7. Be Patient!
Don’t lose patience if cuttings are still looking green but not rooted. They will take a couple of weeks or more, depending more on the growing conditions.
8. Taking a Too-Long Cutting
If you take a 12-14 inches long cutting for propagation, chances are high that it will wilt, and some leaves will turn yellow. Remember that a big portion of the vine needs more moisture to survive.
For a successful outcome, take cuttings not longer than 4-6 inches with a node. It’s also important to remove all the lower leaves apart from the top ones.
9. Taking Cuttings from a Damaged or Old Vine
For successful results, take cuttings from a healthy pothos plant. If the stems are old or damaged, the plant will struggle to form roots.
Root formation needs a lot of energy; select a stem that can do it well.
Learn all about Baltic Blue Pothos Care and Growing Information here
While in the rooting process, should you mist the leaves?