Pothos plants (Epipremnum aureum) aren’t just easy houseplants to keep — they’re among the simplest to propagate. Propagation lets you grow new pothos from cuttings of your existing plant, keeping the parent plant healthy and full while expanding your collection at almost no cost. It’s a straightforward, beginner-friendly project that requires no special tools or skills. We’ve produced a dozen or more free pothos plants using these techniques and often give extras to friends and neighbors.
The methods below work for all common pothos varieties, sometimes called Devil’s Ivy. Popular types include golden pothos, neon pothos, and Marble Queen pothos — all are easy to grow and propagate.
Why Propagate Your Pothos
Propagation isn’t just for plant hobbyists — it’s a practical and rewarding way to get more from the plants you already own. It can be a quick, satisfying DIY project for beginners and seasoned plant parents alike. Key benefits include:
- Low risk: Pothos are forgiving and easy to propagate.
- Minimal cost: Most supplies are already around the house.
- Healthier plants: Pruning for cuttings encourages new growth on the parent plant.
- Less waste: Cuttings stay useful instead of being thrown away.
- Save money: Grow new plants instead of buying them.
- Great gifts: Cuttings that root make thoughtful, low-cost presents.
- Fuller pots: Replanting cuttings with the mother plant gives a lush, full appearance.
Propagation can also be fun to watch — especially as tiny roots begin to form.
The Best Time To Propagate Pothos
Spring and summer are the ideal seasons for propagation since pothos are actively growing then. Cuttings root faster and establish more reliably during warmer months. That said, you can propagate in fall and winter too; just expect slower or sometimes unsuccessful rooting. In colder months we often skip new water propagations and instead tuck pruned vines into the mother plant’s soil — at worst they don’t root and can be removed later, but often they do and help the plant look fuller.
Tools & Supplies
- Pruning snips or sharp scissors
- Clear glass containers for water propagation
- Well-draining potting soil
- Small nursery pots
- Rooting hormone (optional)
Where to Cut A Pothos For Propagation
Cut just below a leaf node to create a successful cutting. Nodes are the small bumps on the stem where leaves grow and where roots emerge. Each node has the potential to form roots and become a new plant. Choose a healthy vine with visible nodes and preferably new growth near the base. You can take one or multiple nodes from a vine — the more nodes you take, the more plants you can produce — but try to leave around one-third of the vine on the mother plant so it continues to thrive.
Nodes are easy to spot: every rounded bump along the stem is a potential rooting point. For longer vines, target sections that are leggy or overdue for pruning.
You can also encourage new leaves on bare nodes with specialized regrowth products, which sometimes help regenerate foliage on otherwise bare stems.
How To Propagate Pothos In Water
Water propagation is the most satisfying method because you can watch roots develop. It’s beginner-friendly and very successful for pothos.
Step 1: Take A Stem Cutting
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut a healthy section of vine about 1 cm below a node. You can leave the cutting whole or divide it between nodes to make multiple starters. Each section should have at least one leaf. Disinfect tools between plants with rubbing alcohol to reduce disease risk.
You can propagate several nodes individually or use longer sections with multiple nodes — both approaches work well.
Step 2: Remove Bottom Leaves
Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line. Submerged foliage will rot and foul the water. If you’re propagating individual nodes, this step may not be necessary.
Step 3: Place Cuttings In Water
Fill clear glass jars or cups with room-temperature tap water. Submerge nodes but keep leaves above water. Clear containers let you monitor root growth and water clarity. Use a clothespin or clip to hold cuttings in place if needed. Position vessels in bright, indirect light — windowsills, shelves, or desks work well.
Keep vessels in a warm area away from drafts and direct blasts of air. Monitor water levels and clarity; top off as water evaporates and change the water if it becomes murky.
Step 4: Monitor The Water
Check water clarity frequently and replace it if it gets cloudy. Topping off helps maintain root hydration, and fresh water limits algae and bacteria buildup.
Step 5: Transfer Rooted Cuttings To Soil
Roots can appear in 1–2 weeks, though many growers wait a month or two. Transfer cuttings to well-draining potting mix once roots reach 2–3 inches. Use a pot with drainage holes, water thoroughly after planting, and place the new plant in bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first couple of weeks to help the roots establish.
How To Propagate Pothos In Soil
Soil propagation skips the water-to-soil transfer and places cuttings directly into a moist, well-draining medium. You won’t see roots forming, but this method can be equally effective.
Step 1: Take A Stem Cutting
Cut a healthy vine slightly below a node, ideally with 3–4 leaves. Use clean, sharp pruning scissors.
Step 2: Remove Bottom Leaves
Remove leaves from the lower nodes that will be buried so they don’t rot. Burying multiple nodes increases the chance of strong root formation while leaving a few leaves above the soil for photosynthesis.
Step 3: Plant In Soil
Moisten well-draining potting mix and fill a small nursery pot. Plant the cutting so the intended nodes are buried (but no leaves are under the soil). Gently pat the soil to secure the cutting. Use pins, paper clips, or bobby pins to hold nodes against the soil if needed, especially for longer vines that must be coiled into the pot.
You can plant multiple cuttings in one pot or even tuck cuttings back into the mother plant’s pot to create a fuller display. This often-called “basketing” approach helps restore fullness to stringy plants.
Step 4: Water Regularly
Keep the soil moist while roots develop and place the pot in bright, indirect light. Water more frequently than you would an established pothos but avoid standing water. After a few weeks, if the cutting appears healthy, you can gradually reduce watering frequency.
Other Pothos Propagation Methods
Propagating In Sphagnum Moss
Sphagnum moss is a moisture-retentive medium that can be used similarly to soil. Rehydrate the dry moss by soaking it for about 30 minutes, wring out excess water, and pack it into a small vessel. Plant the cutting in the moist moss and keep it consistently damp. Once roots are a few inches long, transplant to potting soil. Moss can be especially useful when you want high moisture without soggy soil.
Pothos Basketing
Basketing entails coiling long vines into the pot so nodes touch or sit just below the soil surface. Use pins or clips to hold nodes in contact with soil. Over time those nodes may root and send new growth into the pot, instantly making a leggy pothos look fuller and healthier. Even without immediate rooting, the visual effect improves the plant’s appearance while the vine tips continue to grow.
Basketing is a simple, effective technique to revive sparse plants without creating separate new pots.
Where to Place Your Propagation Vessel
Place cuttings where they receive bright, indirect light. While pothos tolerate lower light, they root faster with more light. Avoid prolonged direct sun, which can overheat the water, burn leaves, or accelerate algae growth. Keep cuttings warm and away from drafts or air-conditioning vents. Choose a convenient spot like a kitchen window so you can check water levels and root development regularly.
How to Care For Pothos
After your propagated pothos has been in soil for a few weeks and shows steady growth, care for it like any other pothos. These plants prefer medium, indirect light but tolerate lower light levels. Water thoroughly about every 7–10 days, allowing the top layer of soil to dry between waterings — underwatering is better than overwatering. Ensure pots have drainage holes and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water. A layer of small rocks at the bottom of a planter can help prevent excess water from collecting directly against the soil base.
More Plant Guides
If you want to explore more plant care topics, look for guides on propagating succulents, choosing low-light houseplants, and care for popular indoor varieties like snake plants, philodendrons, and fiddle leaf figs. These resources can help you build confidence and expand your indoor garden.
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