Guide for Growing More Pothos: Steps to Propagation
Pothos, a popular houseplant known for its trailing stems and heart-shaped leaves, can easily be propagated using either water or soil. Here's a simple guide to help you successfully propagate your pothos.
For soil propagation, select healthy, sturdy stems and cut sections about 4-7 cm long, ensuring each piece has at least one leaf and one node. Make the cuts at a 45° angle to increase the rooting surface area. Plant these cuttings 1–2 inches deep in a well-draining soil mixture, such as a mix of soil, ash, rice husk, and coconut fiber, spacing them around 0.5–0.8 inches apart. Water thoroughly to keep the soil moist and maintain a warm, moist environment by lightly spraying water. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can hinder root growth [1][3].
Alternatively, you can propagate pothos in water. Cut similarly healthy sections with nodes and leaves, ensuring the cut is at a 45° angle just below a node. Place the cut lower stem with the node submerged in clean water, leaving the leaves above water to prevent rot. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and ensure good oxygen levels. Roots usually develop in a few weeks, after which the cutting can either be kept in water or transferred to soil for further growth. The water will accumulate growth hormones secreted by the plant, which aids rooting [3].
Preparation is key to successful propagation. Ensure your cuts are healthy, sturdy, and made at about 45° to increase the rooting surface area. For soil propagation, use a nutrient-rich, well-draining mix and keep it moist. For water propagation, keep the lower node submerged and refresh the water regularly.
Once propagated, maintain your cuttings in a warm, bright indirect light but avoid direct sunlight. Maintain moisture but avoid waterlogging in soil. Spray water lightly to sustain humidity if propagating in soil. Patience is essential; roots may take several weeks to develop fully [1][3].
Whether you prefer soil for faster, robust root development or water for easy monitoring and multipurpose growth before potting, these methods ensure successful propagation of your pothos [3]. For soil propagation, keep the soil moist, watering every day initially, then allowing it to dry out after three or four days. In water, the cut end of each cutting should be placed below the water line, and it should be placed in a warm location out of the sun [1][3].
[1] Pothos Propagation: How to Propagate Pothos Plant in Soil and Water
[3] How to Propagate Pothos: 5 Effective Methods for Successful Propagation
To successfully propagate pothos in soil, choose healthy stems with leaves and nodes, cut them at a 45° angle, and plant the sections in a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil-ash-rice husk-coconut fiber mixture, keeping the soil moist but avoiding direct sunlight.
Alternatively, for water propagation, cut healthy stem sections at a 45° angle, submerge the lower node in clean water, and refresh the water every few days to promote root growth. Whether soil or water, proper preparation, maintenance, and patience are essential for successful pothos propagation.
