What is a Pothos?
Pothos is a plant also called Devil’s Ivy or Devil’s vine, as it is hard to kill and will remain green even without light. They are popular as they are easy to grow and flourish with minimal effort. They can be grown indoors or outdoors in a variety of soil types and are easily propagated by cuttings.
Pothos has heart-shaped leaves that may be green, yellow, white and even variegated with different shades of colors. It is an evergreen climbing plant with tendrils that can reach up to 10 feet long.
Pothos plants are considered to be excellent air purifiers, removing toxic compounds from the air. Additionally, they can also help reduce noise levels in a room. As with all plants, it is important to provide adequate water and light for your Pothos plant to keep it healthy and looking its best.
Equipment Needed to Propagate Pothos
To propagate Pothos, you will need the following items:
- Sharp scissors or pruners
- Glass or plastic container/vase
- If propagating in water you will need water, well-draining soil, and a pot.
- If propagating in soil you will need rooting hormone, well-draining soil, and a pot.
How to Propagate Pothos?
As mentioned, Pothos is super easy to grow and propagate.
Keep in mind, that as with most plants, the best time for cutting is in the spring and summer.
Here are some steps to doing this successfully:
1. Prepare a container for the cutting, the best and easiest way is to start the cutting in water.
Other options are soil or moss (typically sphagnum moss is best).
In water, it should take 2 to 4 weeks to grow sufficient roots to move into a potted soil environment.
NOTE: For best results, you can add an aspirin to the water or use a rooting powder to kill bacteria (follow the directions on the rooting powder container).
2. Determine where on the plant you are going to cut and carefully snip just below the node with a clean sharp knife or scissors.
Make sure that your cutting has a few nodes on it.
(A plant node is the spot on the stem where the buds are located and develop into further plant growth).
3. Place the cutting in your prepared container. Make sure there are at least a couple of leaves above the water, with none below the surface.
4. Once you see a sufficient root system, you want to move the cutting to a pot with good soil. It can help to do it gradually, adding soil to the water over time to acclimate the plant to where it will find its nutrients.
How Often to Water Pothos
The short answer is every 1 to 2 weeks. Pothos plants do best when the soil dries out between waterings.
Some things to consider:
- If your plant gets a lot of sun it might need more water than otherwise, or if the leaves are wilting it probably does need more water.
- Check the soil by hand, preferably about an inch down, and see if it is moist or dry.
- Misting is not necessary, and not even recommended.
Why is my Pothos Plant Turning Yellow?
You can learn a lot from the color of the leaves. Turning yellow usually means too much water. Turning brown, too much sun and/or not enough water.
If you think the issue is too much water, allow the soil to dry out and reduce watering frequency. Also, make sure it’s in a well-draining pot with plenty of drainage holes so that excess water can escape.
Also consider where you are keeping your plant as Pothos thrive in indirect sunlight or filtered light. If the leaves turn yellow due to too much sunlight, move them to a shadier spot. Keep an eye on the overall conditions and adjust accordingly.
Finally, regular pruning is essential for a healthy Pothos plant so don’t forget to trim regularly.
Written By Sarah Thomas
Sarah Thomas is a Master Gardener who edits and writes content for websites and magazines. Over the past two decades, she has been writing for The Doorstep about houseplants and indoor gardening. Since she started writing about plants, Sarah has been collecting rare and tropical plants. The Berkshire Botanical Garden awarded Sarah a certificate in horticulture in 2017.
