How to propagate pothos in water
Few plants multiply as easily as a pothos: one cut, a glass of water and, within a few weeks, roots. It’s the best way to have more plants — and to give one to someone you like.
To propagate a pothos, cut a piece of stem with at least one node and one leaf, just below the node, and stand it in water somewhere bright. Roots usually show in two to four weeks. When they are a few centimetres long, move the cutting into a pot of light soil.
What is a node, and why does a pothos cutting need one?
The pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a climber with long vines. Nodes are the spots on the stem where a leaf emerges — and where roots can emerge too. Look for a small brown bump at the base of a leaf: that is where a root breaks through. A cutting with no node just sits in the water and never roots.
What do you need to take a pothos cutting?
- Clean scissors or a knife.
- A clear glass or jar of water.
- A pot with a drainage hole and light soil, for the final step.
- A bright corner, away from direct sun.
How do you cut and root it in water?
- Pick a healthy vine with firm leaves.
- Cut a length with at least one node and one leaf, a little below the node; two or three nodes improve your odds. Choose young green tips: thicker stems take longer to root and may rot first.
- Strip the lowest leaves, so none is left underwater to rot.
- Drop the length into the glass, with water at room temperature and at least one node submerged.
- Park it somewhere bright, out of direct sun.
- Refresh the water twice a week, or as soon as it turns cloudy: bacteria building up in still water are one cause of rot.
How long does a pothos take to root?
First roots usually appear between two and four weeks, and faster in spring and summer, when the plant is growing and the best time to take cuttings. Once the roots are a few centimetres long and branching, it’s time to pot up.
How do you move the cutting into soil?
- Choose a small pot with a drainage hole and light, airy soil.
- Plant the cutting with its roots fanned out and the soil firm around it, but not packed down.
- Water well and keep the soil damp for the first few weeks, until the water roots adjust to soil.
- Then move to the ordinary rhythm, which depends on light:
| Where it lives | In July | In January |
|---|---|---|
| South- or west-facing window | 4 days | 7 days |
| East-facing window | 4 days | 7 days |
| North-facing window | 7 days | 12 days |
| Hallway or corner with no window | 10 days | 17 days |
For the exact gap and the finger test, see how often to water a pothos.
How do you get a fuller pothos?
Plant several cuttings in one pot: the clump gains volume far sooner than a single cutting would. You can also tuck them into the parent’s pot, around the stem, to thicken the clump.
Is it better to root in water or straight in soil?
| In water | In soil | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage | You can watch the roots grow | Roots grow adapted to soil |
| Disadvantage | Water-grown roots have to adapt to soil | You can’t see what’s happening |
| Time until roots | Two to four weeks | Similar, but out of sight |
| Care | Change the water twice a week | Light, airy mix, damp but never soggy |
For beginners, water has the edge: you can see progress.
What happens to the parent plant after the cut?
The parent tends to shoot from the node that remains and fill out. Taking cuttings is in fact good pruning: a pothos never trimmed tends to turn long and bare. For more on pruning and light, the pothos care guide covers the rest.
What if the cutting goes wrong?
- The stem rots in the water. Trim off the soft part with clean scissors and stand the cutting in fresh water.
- No roots appear. There isn’t enough warmth, brightness or a node. Move it and wait a bit longer.
- The cutting turns yellow. Read why pothos leaves turn yellow.
- It’s winter. With short, cold days, roots crawl.
Summary: pothos cuttings
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Choose | A healthy vine with nodes and leaves |
| Cut | Below a node, with clean scissors |
| Put in water | At least one node submerged, no leaves under water |
| Wait | Two to four weeks; change the water twice a week |
| Pot up | When the roots are a few centimetres long |
Quick questions
Can I use a stem with no roots showing? Yes, as long as the piece has a node: the small brown bump where roots form.
How many leaves should a cutting have? One or two are enough. More leaves lose water and strain a cutting that has no roots yet.
Can I take cuttings at any time of year? In principle yes, but in spring and summer they root faster.
Will the new plant have big leaves? It starts with small ones. For larger leaves, give it a stake or pole: the leaves grow bigger once the plant climbs.
A new plant needs its own rhythm
New plants have small roots and drink little. In Verdejar, you add the new plant, tell the app its pot and light, and it works out the rhythm that suits.
Sources: Royal Horticultural Society · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Missouri Botanical Garden · UF/IFAS Extension · Clemson Home & Garden Information Center · Penn State Extension · University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension · South Dakota State University Extension · NC State Extension · University of Maryland Extension. The days between waterings come from the Verdejar watering engine.