How to Propagate Pothos in Water: An Easy Beginner Guide
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Devil's Ivy, is one of the easiest house plants to grow and propagate. Water propagation is a fun, visual way to turn a single long vine into multiple new plants to expand your collection or share with friends.
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Essential Selection & Care Instructions
1. Locate the Nodes and Snipping the Vines
Look closely at a pothos vine. You will see small brown bumps along the stem where leaves emerge—these are nodes. New roots will only grow from these nodes. Using clean, sterilized scissors, cut a 4-to-6-inch section of vine, making the cut about a quarter-inch below a node.
2. Strip Lower Leaves to Avoid Rot
Remove the leaves closest to the bottom of your cut vine. You need at least 1 or 2 nodes bare of foliage so they can be submerged in water without leaves rotting and clouding the liquid. Leave 2 to 3 leaves at the top of the cutting.
3. Keep in Clean Water and Bright Light
Place your cutting in a clear glass jar filled with room-temperature water, keeping the nodes submerged and the leaves dry. Position the jar in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Change the water once a week to keep it oxygenated and free of bacteria. Roots will appear in 10 to 14 days.
💡 Soil Transition
Once the roots are 1 to 2 inches long, transfer your cuttings into a small pot filled with moist potting soil. Keep the soil slightly damp for the first two weeks to help the water roots adjust to the dry soil environment.
⚠️ Pothos Pet Warning
Pothos plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed or swallowed by cats or dogs, they cause severe oral pain, drooling, pawing at the mouth, and difficulty swallowing. Display trailing vines high up on wall shelves.