How to Propagate Pothos
The water method, step by step. Roots in 7–14 days, ready for soil in 4–6 weeks. Below are the steps that actually work plus the failure modes that get most propagations.
Step by step
Start with a stem cutting with at least one node and one leaf.
- 1
Identify a healthy stem with several leaves. Find the brown bumps along the stem — those are nodes.
- 2
Cut just below a node with sterile scissors. Aim for 4–6 inches of stem.
- 3
Remove the leaf closest to the cut so the node is bare.
- 4
Place the bare node in a small glass of room-temp water. Submerge ONLY the node, not the leaves.
- 5
Set in bright indirect light. Change water every 5–7 days.
- 6
When roots reach 2 inches, pot in standard potting mix.
Common failure modes
- Stem rot from leaves submerged in water — trim them off
- Roots forming but never advancing to soil — wait until at least 2–3 inches
- Mushy stem at water line — cutting was too soft; try a more mature stem
For full Pothos care — light, water, humidity, pests — see the Pothos care guide. Or browse all species guides.