How to Propagate Pothos Plants

If you know anything about me, you might know that I’m a little addicted to plants. After trying a few easy houseplants, I can’t seem to have enough around our home. Pothos is one the easiest, most forgiving plants I’ve found. And I need easy and forgiving in my life (wink). It’s also a perfect candidate for creating new plants from the same stems. Learning how to propagate pothos plants pretty much satisfies my plant addiction and feels like the next level in plant care!

What is propagation?

First, you might be wondering exactly what is propagation? It’s way simpler than it sounds. Propagating is simply growing new plants by cutting stems of existing plants.

While it doesn’t work for every type of plant, in general it is a million times easier than I ever would’ve believed. After trying it with several different plants, I think the pothos is the easiest to start with. There’s just a few important tips to successfully grow your new cuttings!

If you don’t yet have a pothos, they are easy to find. Also called, Devil’s Ivy, they actually might be one of the most common houseplants and are grown in several varieties. From true green leaves like mine to spotted white and heart shaped leaves.

I often see them at Trader Joe’s and the grocery store. You can even purchase them from Amazon and order a live pothos plant online! Because they grow such beautiful trailing leaves, I love styling them on bookshelves and open shelving.

Tips to propagate pothos plants

As mentioned, creating plant cuttings is super easy, there are just a few important tips to keep in mind so you keep the parent plant happy and give your new plant the best chance of success!

Cutting the plant

• First, you’ll want to start with a well watered, healthy plant. The one I’m using is about 4 years old but I could’ve started sooner. It’s important that it has strong stems with lots of leaves.

Though sometimes a failing pothos (or any plant) benefits from trimming back stems so it can focus on new growth.

• Look for the longest tail of the pothos vine, this is usually the best candidate to cut.

• From the bottom, count up about 4-5 healthy leaves.

• Find the little root nubs on the pothos stem, this is where the new roots will grow.

• With sharp scissors, cut the stem 1-2 inches above a root nub

Propagate Pothos in Water

Now that you have a plant cutting, you’ll want to help it grow! Some people start with dirt right away, but I like to put the cutting in water.

• Place the pothos cutting in jar or tube, filled with room temperature water so you don’t shock it.

• Place the jar in a well lit place but not direct lighting (I sit mine on a shelf near a window)

• Roots may take about a month to really develop, but check each week

Replant Rooted Cuttings in Soil

• Once roots have grown, replant in small pot with potting soil. This root is not quite ready but definitely coming along!
• One tip I’ve learned is that if the cuttings sit too long in water and grow tangled roots, they can be harder to transplant
• Pothos like indirect light and soil that drains completely so use a pot with drainage holes
• Enjoy your new little pothos plant!