How to Propagate Pothos Plants Indoors

You must have heard of or owned a type of Pothos plant.

It is a super easy plant to maintain and hard to die due to its characteristic drought tolerance, waterlogging, low light environment, and adaptability to various soil types and treatments.

Besides being easy to live with, this plant is also easy to propagate in various ways, among which the easiest is to cut branches that have segments and eyes (nodes) that are rooted in the air and then put in the ground or put in a glass jar.

Branches with nodes (burns, nodes, eyes) will grow roots and develop into independent plants.

I want to share some steps on how to reproduce pothos with explanations and pictures for your reference:

1. Prepare tools:

• Special gardening shears or household shears that are sharp and sterile. Wipe with diluted alcohol or dip in boiling water.
• The Pothos (also known in many places as Marble Betelnut, White Blue Betelnut, Epipremnum Snow Queen, and Epipremnum N Joy) has many branches sticking out of the pot and knots on the branches.
• Beautiful clear glass vase. It should be transparent to easily monitor whether branches have white roots when submerged or not rot and easily monitor rooting progress so adjustments can be made as soon as a problem occurs. Another reason is that transparent glass vases look very beautiful.
• A cup of clean, chlorine-free, fluorine-free RO water or household water without extra ingredients, impurities, iron, etc. Generally, the cleaner, the better.
• If there is a solution or powder that stimulates roots, even better; otherwise, that’s okay because Pothos is a plant of the Epipremnum genus, with super rooting abilities, even in the air and in a flooded environment.

Also, read about the golden pothos plant care guide.

2. Steps to take:

2.1. Choose Pothos cuttings to propagate

Look for a Pothos with tall, long branches sticking out of the pot, and there are lots of segments (such as burns, eyes, segments) already producing aerial roots; choose a large, strong branch with as many leaves and as many nodes as possible.

Pay attention to the part of the stalk between the nodes connected by other nodes; if from those nodes white (or black or gray) roots emerge, this is a perfect branch to cut and grow into an independent plant.

Pay attention when cutting branches from plants; use sterile and sharp scissors so that the cut is smooth; avoid scratching by hand or cutting with blunt scissors, causing damage to the cutting, easy to cause fungus, causing branches not to have time to take root, die from rot.

2.2 Cut all the leaves below

Leave no leaves underneath; cut close to the base. Carefully cut with sterile sharp scissors. Do not pinch or break forcefully with your hands.

Violence will cause bruising, and bruising will cause rot.

Also, read about how to propagate satin pothos.

2.3 Clean the cuttings and put them in a glass jar filled with water

After cutting all the leaves below, wash the cuttings thoroughly.

If a root stimulant solution or powder is available, follow the instructions for the specific root stimulator.

For example, N3M, mix 20g per 1 liter of water, then soak the rootstock cuttings for 5-10 minutes.

Caution must be mixed with the right dose; otherwise, an overdose will burn the cuttings.

After washing, soak them with a root stimulant (or soaking is okay), then put the cuttings in a glass jar filled with clean water.

Note that the lower stalk (such as burns, eyes, and segments) is submerged.

Notice if any leaves are submerged; lower the water or cut the leaves.

Waterlogged leaves will rot, causing water to rot and affecting roots. Rot can damage stalks that already have aerial roots.

2.4 Follow-up

Now place the entire glass of water in a place with bright light but away from direct sunlight, and monitor it daily.

Avoid places with too much sun and light, which will cause harmful moss to stick to the glass walls, both unsightly and possibly the moss will stick to the stems, disrupting the rooting process.

My experience has been to leave it entirely indoors, out of sunlight, but if left in a medium-light area, the plant will take root more quickly in a low-light environment.

Low light does not mean dark; there should be at least 7-8 hours of light daily.

Note that if any branches are rotten, cut off the rotten parts. The probability of branch rot is low but may occur from time to time.

 If it is rotten, quickly cut off the rotten part and put the rest into a glass.

If a lot is rotten, remove the branch, find another branch on the plant, and repeat steps 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 above.

If the water smells, changes color, and is no longer clear, change the water; if replaced, rinse the roots to clean the waterlogged parts that stick to the roots and stems.

If the water is odorless, does not change color, and is still clear, leave the glass bottle in one place to avoid damage.

At this time, the plant needs to be left alone, do not be disturbed to focus on rooting and developing into an independent tree.

Also, read about how to grow and care for pothos.

2.5 Root Results

Usually, after about 1-2 weeks, the branches will have a main white root, of which there are many small roots.

Once this main root is established, it will later produce more roots faster.

In hot weather, roots grow faster than in cold weather.

In humid climates, plants will take root more quickly than in dry climates and low humidity.

If you notice the plant has long white roots, you can keep putting it in the glass jar until you get bored; if you don’t, you can leave it there forever.

If you want the branches to grow faster and give new leaves, after 2-4 weeks, you need to plant them in the ground.

The Pothos will grow faster in the soil and slower when the roots are completely submerged.

80% humidity and a temperature range of 20 – 30 C with moderate light is the perfect environment for plants to take root quickly.

3. Pothos Propagating: Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)

3.1 When is the ideal time to propagate pothos?

Pothos can be easily propagated by cuttings. It’s the ideal time to do this in the spring when days are longer, and temperatures are higher, but you can take cuttings at any time of the year. Choose a shoot with already-developed aerial roots and slice it with a sharp blade.

3.2 How long does it take to propagate Pothos?

Pothos can be grown and rooted in water, vermiculite, or perlite within 4 to 6 weeks. When the roots with side branches have formed, you may move the cutting to the household potting mix.

3.3 How to cut pothos and propagate them in soil?

One stem segment (node) will give rise to new roots, leaves, and shoots in the leaf axils. To multiply it, just cut under the root.

Then the roots are planted and can be included with the old leaves; the roots will develop in the pot, new shoots will appear, and so on.

Each internode of pothos can be propagated, and the possibility of growth is substantial as long as you choose an internode that already has roots.

Do you already know how to do it? Try it right away because every beginner can do it easily! Good luck!