How to Grow Pothos From Cuttings Guide

Understanding Pothos Plants and Why Propagation Works

Pothos, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is one of the most popular houseplants in the world. It's sometimes called Devil's Ivy because it's nearly impossible to kill. The plant grows in vining patterns, with heart-shaped leaves that come in various colors depending on the variety—solid green, golden, or variegated patterns with white or cream streaks.

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The reason pothos propagates so successfully from cuttings relates to how the plant naturally grows. In tropical rainforests, pothos climbs up trees by developing aerial roots along its stems. These aerial roots help the plant anchor itself and absorb moisture from the humid air. When you take a cutting from a pothos plant, you're working with this same biological mechanism. The plant is evolutionarily designed to root easily because it survives in nature by spreading across surfaces and establishing new root systems as it grows.

Pothos cuttings have an exceptionally high success rate compared to many other houseplants. Research on houseplant propagation shows that pothos cuttings root successfully in water or soil within 1 to 3 weeks in most cases. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners learning propagation techniques. The plant doesn't require special hormones, sophisticated equipment, or specific environmental controls to develop roots from cuttings.

One important distinction to understand is the difference between propagation and the plant's overall growth. Propagation specifically means creating a new plant from a piece of an existing plant. With pothos, this happens through vegetative reproduction—the new plant is genetically identical to the parent plant. This means if your original pothos has variegated leaves, the cutting will also develop variegated leaves as it matures.

Practical Takeaway: Pothos naturally develops roots easily because of its jungle origins. This biological trait makes cuttings one of the most reliable propagation methods for beginners, with success rates typically above 90% when basic care guidelines are followed.

Selecting and Preparing Your Cuttings

The success of your pothos propagation starts with selecting healthy cuttings from the parent plant. Look for stems that are actively growing and show no signs of disease or pest damage. Healthy stems appear vibrant and firm, not mushy or discolored. Avoid stems that have brown patches, yellowing leaves, or visible insects. The parent plant should be established and thriving—a weak plant produces weak cuttings with lower success rates.

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When selecting where to cut, identify stems that have multiple leaf nodes. A node is the small bump or knob on the stem where leaves emerge and where roots will eventually develop. Pothos stems typically have nodes every 1 to 2 inches. You want cuttings with at least 2 to 3 nodes—one node should be buried in water or soil to develop roots, while the others will produce new leaves above the soil line. Cuttings that are 4 to 6 inches long work best for most propagation methods.

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make your cuts. This is more important than many people realize. Dull tools crush the stem tissue, which can cause rot and prevent successful rooting. Clean tools prevent spreading disease between plants. If you're taking cuttings from multiple plants, wipe your cutting tool with a cloth between each plant. Some gardeners use rubbing alcohol on their tools, which takes about 30 seconds and significantly reduces disease transmission.

Cut just above a node on the parent plant. This matters because the remaining plant will continue growing from that node. Leave at least 2 to 3 inches of stem above your cut point on the parent plant. After cutting, remove the lower leaves from your cutting—the bottom 1 to 2 inches of stem should be bare with no leaves. Leaves that sit below the water line or in soil will rot, so this step prevents decay in your propagation medium. Keep the upper leaves intact; they'll photosynthesize and fuel root development.

Practical Takeaway: Choose 4 to 6 inch cuttings with at least 2 to 3 nodes, cut with clean tools just above a parent plant node, and remove all lower leaves before propagating. This preparation method directly increases rooting success rates and prevents common problems like stem rot.

Water Propagation Method

Water propagation is the most straightforward method for growing pothos cuttings. This technique requires minimal materials—just your cutting and a glass of water. Fill a clear glass or jar with room-temperature water. The water should be chlorine-free if possible, though most tap water works fine for pothos. Some people recommend using distilled water to avoid mineral buildup, but studies on houseplant propagation show minimal difference in success rates between chlorinated tap water and distilled water.

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Place your prepared cutting into the water so that the lowest 1 to 2 inches are submerged. The bare nodes should be underwater. Position the glass in a location with bright, indirect light. A windowsill facing north or east works well, as does a spot a few feet away from a south or west-facing window. Avoid direct sunlight, which can heat the water and encourage algae growth. Room temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal, though pothos cuttings tolerate temperatures between 55 and 90 degrees.

Change the water every 3 to 5 days. This is a critical step that many people skip. Fresh water contains more dissolved oxygen, which roots need to develop. Stagnant water becomes oxygen-depleted and promotes bacterial growth and rot. When you change the water, examine the cutting for any signs of mushy stems or discoloration. Healthy stems remain firm and green.

Within 7 to 14 days, you'll typically see small white bumps forming along the submerged nodes. These are root primordia—the beginning stages of root development. By day 21 to 28, these bumps develop into recognizable roots ranging from 1 to 2 inches long. Once roots reach approximately 1 inch in length, you can transition the cutting to soil. Some people wait until roots are longer—up to 2 inches—which can reduce transplant shock. The longer you keep cuttings in water before moving to soil, the more time the roots have to develop, but cuttings with even small roots transplant successfully.

Practical Takeaway: Water propagation succeeds with regular water changes every 3 to 5 days. Expect visible root development in 2 to 4 weeks, and transplant to soil once roots reach at least 1 inch long for the best transition outcomes.

Soil Propagation Method

Soil propagation allows you to skip the transplanting step and move the cutting directly to its permanent growing location. Use a light, well-draining potting mix formulated for houseplants. You can also create a custom mix by combining equal parts standard potting soil and perlite or orchid bark. The added perlite or bark improves drainage, which is important because waterlogged soil prevents root development and causes rot. Standard potting soil alone works but requires more careful watering.

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Fill a small pot—2 to 3 inches in diameter—with moistened potting mix. The pot doesn't need to be large; small pots dry out at a better rate for new cuttings. Poke a hole in the soil with your finger or a pencil, and insert the cutting so that at least one node is buried in soil. The buried node is where roots will develop. Firm the soil gently around the stem so it stands upright without wobbling. Water the soil until it's moist throughout but not waterlogged.

Place the potted cutting in bright, indirect light at room temperature. Maintain soil moisture by checking it every 2 to 3 days. The soil should feel moist but not soggy. If the top inch feels dry, water lightly. Overwatering is the primary reason soil propagation fails. Soggy soil lacks oxygen and promotes fungal growth and stem rot. Some gardeners cover the pot with a plastic bag to increase humidity, which can accelerate rooting, but this requires monitoring to prevent moisture from accumulating excessively.

Soil propagation typically takes 3 to 4 weeks before substantial root development occurs. You can test for root development by gently tugging on the cutting—if you feel resistance, roots