How to propagate a pothos from cuttings in water

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) roots from stem cuttings, and the University of Vermont Extension names it among the vining houseplants that root easily in water. Everything depends on the node: the small bump where a leaf joins the stem. New roots grow from it, so a cutting without a node won't root (Clemson Extension).

How to root a pothos cutting in water

1. Choose a healthy stem, ideally in spring or summer.

   

   Penn State Extension says pothos cuttings succeed best during the growing season, from spring through summer. The RHS gives the same window. Pick a stem with firm, green leaves and no yellowing, spots or pests.

   You should see: along the stem, small brown bumps or short aerial roots opposite each leaf. Those are the nodes (Penn State Extension).

2. Careful: the sap can irritate skin and eyes (RHS). Wear gloves if you're sensitive, and wash your hands afterwards.

   Cut a 7.5 to 15 cm length from the tip, just below a node.

   

   The University of Vermont and Iowa State extension services both suggest a 3 to 6 inch (about 7.5 to 15 cm) cutting from a stem tip. Clemson Extension says it needs at least one node; Iowa State says at least two. Two or three nodes give you a safety margin.

   Cutting the parent just above a node, as Penn State suggests for pruning, also helps it branch from that point.

   You should see: a cutting with a few leaves and at least two nodes, with a clean cut just below the lowest one.

3. Remove the leaves from the lowest one or two nodes.

   

   Leaves that sit in water rot and cloud it. The University of Vermont Extension says to remove the leaves from the bottom one or two nodes. Iowa State also suggests removing or trimming very large leaves, so the cutting loses less water while it has no roots.

   You should see: one or two bare nodes at the bottom and a few leaves at the top.

4. Stand the cutting in water with the bare nodes under and every leaf above.

   

   Use room-temperature water and keep all the leaves above the waterline (University of Vermont Extension). You can put several cuttings in one jar if they all fit without leaves going under.

   You should see: the bare nodes fully covered by water and no leaves touching it.

5. Put the jar somewhere warm with bright, indirect light.

   

   Iowa State Extension suggests 4 to 6 hours of bright, indirect light and air at 65 to 75 °F (about 18 to 24 °C) for rooting cuttings. Too little light slows rooting. Keep the jar out of hot direct sun: Penn State says direct sun yellows pothos leaves.

   You should see: a bright spot where the jar casts only a soft shadow.

6. Change the water regularly and never let the roots dry out.

   

   Iowa State Extension says to change the water once or twice a week and never let the level drop so far that the new roots are left in air. The University of Vermont Extension says to swap in fresh room-temperature water whenever it turns cloudy.

   Be patient. The University of Vermont says rooting can take days, weeks or sometimes months. Iowa State gives 3 to 6 weeks for most houseplant stem cuttings; neither gives a figure for pothos alone.

   You should see: clear water and, after a while, small white roots growing from the nodes.

7. Pot it up once the roots are a few centimetres long.

   

   The sources differ on when. Iowa State says pot up once the roots are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long or more; the University of Vermont waits until they are more than 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm). Use a small pot with a drainage hole and fresh potting mix, cover the roots, and keep it well watered in bright, indirect light while it settles (Iowa State).

   Once it's growing, treat it like an adult pothos: let the mix dry before watering again (Clemson, Penn State). Our watering guide shows how to check.

   You should see: the cutting standing upright in the mix, with no roots showing above the surface.

If something goes wrong

Once your new plant fills its first pot, our repotting guide shows how to move it on.