Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are not only forgiving, low-maintenance houseplants — they’re also exceptionally easy to propagate. Propagating pothos is an inexpensive, simple way to expand your collection, share plants with friends, and keep your mother plant healthy and full. You don’t need special tools or experience to get started; many hobbyists regularly create a dozen or more new plants from a single vine using these methods.
The techniques below apply to all common pothos varieties (often called Devil’s Ivy). Popular types include Golden pothos, Neon pothos, and Marble Queen pothos, each equally straightforward to propagate.
- Golden pothos
- Neon pothos
- Marble Queen pothos
Why Propagate Your Pothos
Propagation is an accessible DIY project with several benefits beyond producing new plants. It’s ideal for beginners and rewarding for experienced plant parents. Key advantages include:
- Low risk: Pothos respond well to cuttings and are forgiving of small mistakes.
- Cost-effective: You can propagate using jars, scissors, and soil you already have.
- Healthier plants: Pruning encourages fresh growth, so taking cuttings benefits the mother plant even if some cuttings fail.
- Less waste: Cuttings get repurposed instead of discarded.
- Great gifts: New plants make thoughtful, low-cost presents.
- Fuller containers: Replanting cuttings with the mother plant can restore a sparse pot to a lush appearance.
Plus, watching roots form is genuinely fun and satisfying.
The Best Time To Propagate Pothos
Spring and summer are the best seasons to propagate pothos because the plant is actively growing. Cuttings taken during the growing season root faster and more reliably. You can still propagate in fall and winter, but expect slower results and a higher chance some cuttings won’t root. During cooler months, many plant owners tuck pruned vines back into the mother plant’s potting mix so the soil can encourage rooting over time.
If you try during cooler months, be patient: roots may take longer. If a cutting doesn’t root in water, you can sometimes tuck it into the mother plant’s soil and it will take hold later.
Tools & Supplies
- Pruning snips or sharp scissors
- Clear glass containers or jars for water propagation
- Well-draining potting soil
- Small nursery pots
- Rooting hormone (optional)
Where to Cut A Pothos For Propagation
Cut the vine just below a leaf node. Nodes are small bumps along the stem where leaves emerge — they’re the spots that produce roots. Each node can become a new plant, so take cuttings that include at least one node and one leaf. It’s fine to take multiple short cuttings (one node each) or longer sections with several nodes. Try to leave roughly one-third of the original vine on the mother plant so it can continue growing.
Choose healthy, non-woody vines with fresh growth. If a vine is leggy or bare near the base, you can propagate the lower nodes and discard or trim the rest. For bare nodes you want to rejuvenate, some people use a hormone paste to encourage leaf regrowth.
Many gardeners prune with a propagation goal in mind, removing overly long vines and using the cuttings to start new plants.
How To Propagate Pothos In Water
Water propagation is popular because it’s straightforward and rewarding — you can watch roots develop. It’s also a flexible method: rooted cuttings can stay in water indefinitely or be transferred to soil once roots are established.
Step 1: Take a Stem Cutting
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut a healthy section of vine just below a node. An angled cut about 1 cm beneath the node works well. You can leave the cutting as a longer section with several nodes or separate it into multiple shorter cuttings. Make sure each piece has at least one leaf.
Tip: Disinfect tools before cutting by wiping them with rubbing alcohol or a diluted bleach solution to prevent disease transfer.
You can propagate individual nodes or longer sections containing multiple nodes, depending on how many new plants you want to create.
Step 2: Remove Bottom Leaves
Remove leaves that would be submerged in water. Submerged foliage will rot and foul the water, so strip leaves from nodes that will sit below the waterline. If using single-node cuttings, this step may not be necessary.
Step 3: Place Cuttings in Water
Set cuttings in clear jars or glasses filled with room-temperature tap water. Submerge the nodes but keep leaves above water. Clear containers make it easy to watch root development and check water clarity. Position the jars in bright, indirect light — a sunny windowsill, shelf, or desk works well. Use a clothespin or hair clip to keep cuttings from slipping into the jar if needed.
Change the water if it becomes cloudy or has an unpleasant smell; otherwise, top off evaporated water as needed. Algae growth is uncommon in indirect light but keep an eye on water clarity.
Step 4: Transfer Rooted Cuttings to Soil
Roots can appear in 1–2 weeks, though many growers wait a month or more. When roots reach 2–3 inches long, pot the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks to help the roots establish. Then gradually return to your normal watering routine.
A light, well-draining potting mix works best — avoid heavy, compacted soils that retain too much water.
How To Propagate Pothos In Soil
Soil propagation skips the water stage and lets cuttings root directly in potting mix. You won’t be able to watch roots form, but it eliminates one transfer and can produce strong, well-anchored roots.
Step 1: Take a Stem Cutting
Cut just below a node with clean scissors and aim for a cutting that has three to four healthy leaves. These leaves will photosynthesize while roots develop.
Step 2: Remove Bottom Leaves
Strip leaves from the lower two or three nodes so those nodes can be buried. The more nodes you bury, the more roots can form, increasing the chance of successful establishment. Leave two to three leaves above the soil surface.
Step 3: Plant in Soil
Fill a small nursery pot with moistened, well-draining potting soil. Gently press the cutting into the soil so the buried nodes make good contact. Use a paper clip, bobby pin, or plant pin to hold longer vines in place if needed. Keep the soil moist while roots form and place the pot in bright, indirect light.
Planting multiple cuttings in one pot or planting cuttings around the mother plant (a technique often called “basketing”) helps create a fuller, denser display.
Step 4: Water Regularly
Keep newly potted cuttings consistently moist for several weeks while roots develop. Ensure the pot drains freely so the cutting doesn’t sit in water, which can cause root rot. Once the plant shows new growth and appears established, reduce the frequency of watering to match normal pothos care.
Other Pothos Propagation Methods
Propagate Pothos in Sphagnum Moss
Sphagnum moss is highly absorbent and can be used instead of soil. Soak dry moss for about 30 minutes, wring out excess water until it’s moist, then nestle a cutting into the moss in a jar or small pot. Keep the moss consistently damp until roots form, then transplant into potting soil once roots reach a couple of inches in length. This medium holds moisture well but offers no decisive advantage if you already have other simple methods available.
Pothos Basketing
“Basketing” is a simple technique for making a leggy pothos look fuller: coil long vines back into the pot so multiple nodes contact the soil. Secure them with plant pins, paper clips, or bobby pins and bury or press nodes slightly under the surface. Over time those nodes may root and produce new growth into the pot, restoring a dense, lush appearance without producing separate plants.
Even if roots form slowly, basketing immediately improves the look of a sparse plant and the long vines will regenerate quickly.
Where to Place Your Propagation Vessel
Propagating pothos need bright, indirect light to encourage new root and stem growth. A windowsill, bookshelf, or desk with good light works well; avoid prolonged direct sun that can overheat the water or scorch leaves. Keep vessels away from cold drafts and air-conditioning vents. Choose a convenient spot so you can routinely check water levels and root progress.
Warmth and steady light help cuttings root faster, so a kitchen window or other regularly used room is ideal.
How to Care For Pothos
After a propagated cutting has been in soil for a few weeks and shows established roots and new growth, care for it the same way you would the mother plant. Pothos thrive in medium, indirect light but tolerate lower light levels. Water thoroughly every 7–10 days, allowing the top inch or so of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid letting pots sit in standing water to reduce the risk of root rot. If your planter tends to hold moisture, a layer of small rocks or a well-draining mix will help prevent pooling at the base.
More Plant Guides
If you want to explore propagation and care for other common houseplants, look for guides on succulents, low-light plants, air-purifying varieties, and other popular species to expand your indoor garden knowledge and skills.
- How to propagate succulents
- Best low-light houseplants
- Best air-purifying indoor plants
- Guides for popular houseplants and care tips
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