To propagate a Pothos in water, take a stem cutting with at least one node and one leaf, remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, and place the cut end in a glass or jar of water so the node is submerged. Roots will typically appear within two to four weeks, at which point the cutting can be transferred to soil or grown on as a permanent water plant. Pothos are among the easiest houseplants to propagate, the success rate is very high, even for beginners, and the process requires no special equipment beyond a sharp pair of scissors or pruning snips and a container of water.
A node is the single most important part of the cutting. Nodes are the small brown bumps or ridges on the stem, usually at the point where a leaf attaches. Aerial roots, if present, also grow from nodes. Without a node, a cutting cannot produce roots, regardless of how long it sits in water. A leaf alone will not root: you need at least one node per cutting.
How to Take a Pothos Cutting
Choose a healthy, vigorous stem with at least two to three leaves. Count back from the tip to identify a section with two or three nodes. Cut just below a node, ideally leaving 1 to 2 cm of stem below it. The cutting should have at least one node and ideally two, with one or two leaves attached above the node that will be submerged.
Remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline once the cutting is placed in the vase. Leaves submerged in water will rot and foul the water, which can inhibit rooting. Leave the leaves above the waterline intact: they will continue to photosynthesise and support the cutting during the rooting process.
One cutting per glass is ideal for monitoring. If you want to root several cuttings, use a larger container but ensure each node has adequate space to develop roots without becoming tangled with others.
Setting Up the Water Propagation
Fill your glass or vase with room-temperature water so that the node(s) are submerged but the leaves are above the waterline. Place the container in a warm position with bright indirect light. Direct sun is not ideal for water propagation: it promotes algae growth in the water and can overheat the developing roots. A windowsill with bright but filtered light, or a position a metre or so back from a south-facing window, works well.
Change the water every five to seven days or whenever it becomes cloudy. Fresh water provides oxygen to the developing roots and prevents bacterial build-up. This is the most important maintenance step for successful water propagation. If the water sits unchanged for more than two weeks, bacterial growth can damage or kill roots before they have a chance to establish.
How Long Does Pothos Take to Root in Water?
Under good conditions, warm room (18°C or above), bright indirect light, and regular water changes, Pothos cuttings typically produce visible root nubs within one to two weeks. By three to four weeks, the roots are usually 3 to 5 cm long and the cutting is ready to pot up into soil. In cooler conditions (below 16°C), rooting takes longer, sometimes six to eight weeks.
Variegated varieties like Marble Queen and Manjula tend to root slightly more slowly than plain green Epipremnum aureum, as they have less chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Golden Pothos and Epipremnum Happy Leaf are among the fastest to root. Our Epipremnum collection includes a range of varieties, all of which propagate readily in water.
When and How to Transfer to Soil
Transfer the cutting to soil when the roots are 3 to 5 cm long. Roots longer than 8 to 10 cm have adapted to water conditions and can struggle to transition to soil: the root structure that develops in water is different from that in a soil medium, and longer water roots are more prone to damage during potting and to transplant shock in soil.
Pot the rooted cutting into a small pot (7 to 9 cm) with a free-draining tropical potting mix. Our Jungle Mix works well for Pothos: it drains freely while retaining enough moisture for a newly potted cutting. Do not use a large pot: excess compost stays wet and rots the new roots before they can establish.
Water the newly potted cutting lightly and place it in a bright indirect position. Keep the compost just moist, not wet, for the first two to three weeks while the roots adjust to their new medium. It is normal for the top leaves to droop slightly for a few days as the plant adjusts to the transition from water to soil.
Can You Keep Pothos Permanently in Water?
Yes. Pothos grows well permanently in water and is one of the easiest houseplants to maintain in a semi-hydro or full water setup. Long-term water culture works best with a liquid fertiliser added at low dilution every two to four weeks to compensate for the nutrients absent from plain water. Without any feeding, the plant will grow slowly and show nutrient deficiency symptoms over time.
For a longer-term water setup, Lechuza Pon or expanded clay pebbles in a vase with a water reservoir works well: the plant roots into the mineral substrate while drawing water from the reservoir.
Troubleshooting: Why Are My Pothos Cuttings Not Rooting?
The most common reason Pothos cuttings fail to root is the absence of a node on the cutting. Without a node, no roots can develop. Check your cutting; if there is no visible bump or ridge on the stem, the cutting will not root regardless of how long it sits in water.
The second most common cause is temperature. Pothos root best at 20°C or above. In a cold room in winter, rooting can be extremely slow or may not occur at all. Moving the propagation vessel to a warmer position, near a radiator but not directly on it, will help.
Fouled water is also a common culprit. If the water has been unchanged for more than two weeks and has become murky or smells sour, the bacterial environment is inhibiting root development. Empty the vessel, clean it thoroughly, refill with fresh water, and move the cutting to a clean container if possible.