Propagating Pothos occurs in two distinct phases, each requiring patience and care. First, the cuttings root in water, which takes 3-6 weeks. During this time, nodes along the cutting form adventitious roots. Monitor the water quality and watch for initial root protrusions.
Make sure to change the water in your containers every now and then – ideally, after a week or two at most – and add new water if required. Water eventually loses oxygen, and your pothos' roots need oxygen to stay alive!
If you want to keep your plant cutting(s) growing in water indefinitely, that is totally a viable option. A word of warning: the longer your plant cutting sits in water, the worse the plant could fare over time. Why? Water has no nutrients, and can increase the risk for potential fungal infections.
As long as you give them proper nutrients in the water, they can thrive indefinitely without soil.
Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot. Always check the top inch of soil before watering — if it's dry, it's time to water; if it's still damp, wait a little longer. With proper care and attention, your Pothos should recover from root rot and return to its lush, vibrant state.
Don't get the leaves wet!
Make sure no leaves are touching the water. If the plant has a crown – where leaves emerge from a central point – keep this above the waterline too. As a general rule of thumb, only stems should be submerged in the water as leaves and other parts are more susceptible to rotting.
If you take cuttings from one that is struggling or is infected with a bacterial or fungal disease, your cuttings are very unlikely to survive. In fact, they'll probably quickly turn black and rot away. So just take a few minutes to check in with your pothos plant and make sure that it's healthy and ready to go.
Change out your propagation water on a regular basis to maintain healthy root growth. We recommend a water change about once a week. Each time you change out the water, use this as an opportunity to give any of your thirsty plants a drink to close the loop.
Simply take a shallow dish or pot and fill it up halfway with water. Then place your plant in the dish. Let the plant sit for 30 minutes to an hour depending on how big the pot is. When the top of the soil is moist you are all done.
Inadequate Moisture: Cuttings need to be kept moist, but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to rot, while under-watering can cause the cutting to dry out and die. Use a spray bottle to mist the cuttings regularly with fresh clean and ensure the soil is consistently moist but well-drained.
Change the water at least twice a week to keep it clean and oxygenated. Roots will generally appear within 3-4 weeks. When the roots are an inch or two (2.5 or 5 cm) long, remove the cutting from the water and plant it in a well-draining planting medium.
Place your soil in a pot with drainage holes. Take the established pothos cutting from water and rinse it with new dechlorinated or distilled water. Place the cutting roots-down into the new pot and, while gently holding the stem, cover the roots and first inch of stem with soil.
Place the cuttings in water.
Place the glass in a warm-ish room in bright, indirect light (not direct sunlight). Change the water every few days so microbes don't affect growth.
You want the cuttings long enough to ensure new roots and growth but not too long, as that can cause the cuttings not to thrive.
Pothos can typically go about 10 days without water, depending on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and the size of the pot. However, it's not a wise idea to leave your Pothos there without monitoring.
Caring for a Pothos in Water
Caring for a pothos growing in water is pretty simple. Exchange the water every few days to keep it fresh. Occasionally you will need to clean the container; there may be algae growth or hard water buildup over time.
DON'T Let Indoor Plants Sit in Water
Soaking the soil is important, but don't go overboard and add too much – if houseplants sit in water, they can develop root rot. If you accidentally overwater, use a turkey baster to remove the excess.
Replace the water once a week. When the pothos roots show 2-3 inches of new growth, plant your rooted cuttings in a small pot with drainage holes. Use Rosy's pothos soil for the best results! Place the pot in indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist for 1-2 weeks.
An ideal time for your cutting to graduate from water to soil, is when the main root reaches around 3cm to 5cms long, or an even better sign, is when the main root starts to branch and send out side roots.
It's important that your water propagated plants receive some light, but bright indirect light with no direct sun is important. They are growing new root systems and are fragile.
All types of pothos can be propagated in either soil or water. Water propagation is usually faster, while soil propagation produces sturdier plant roots and cuttings that may not need to be transplanted later if you propagate them in a roomy pot.
Place the potted cuttings in a location that receives bright, indirect light and water them well. It is important to keep the soil evenly moist (but not soaking) while the cuttings are growing roots. After a few weeks, you can begin letting the soil dry out slightly between waterings.
If you're seeing roots that are brown, black, or mushy, it's a red flag. They might even smell like a rotten egg, which is a surefire sign of root rot. Next, check the soil moisture. If it's wetter than a rainforest floor, you might be overwatering.