Propagate your pothos: tips for getting lots of new plants at no extra cost
This plant is amongst the most common grown in homes around the world, and for good reason: not only is the pothos beautiful to look at, but it is among the easiest plants to grow indoors (or in the garden). What we commonly call "pothos" or "potos" is actually called scindapsus or epipremnum, and we see it growing in many homes.
Most people grow this plant successfully: so, if you have a specimen at home, you could take the next step and prune it a bit to propagate it. It's very simple, and soon you will have more pothos plants for your home (or for gifts)!
The best time to propagate pothos is spring or summer. Specifically, when you notice that the branches seem be thin and not very vigorous, prune them to strengthen the plant. With these clippings you can create many other plants. Obviously, this can also be done with full-health cuttings, especially if the time has come to reduce the size of the crown.
What you will need:
- Shears
- Alcohol or a lighter
- Well-draining potting soil
- Rooting hormone powder (for soil propagation only), or
- a jar with water (for water propagation only)
- An earthenware pot (a small one, at first)
Propagation in soil or water
Both methods have a very good chance of success. You choose whichever method you prefer:
Propagation in soil:
- Sterilize the blades of the shears with alcohol or the flame of a lighter;
- Cut the clippings: they should have 3 or 4 knots/nodes;
- Remove some of the leaves at the base of the clippings;
- Wet the tip of the clippings that you will insert into the soils, and dip the wet ends into the rooting hormone powder;
- Plant the clippings in the soil in a jar;
- Water immediately, and then as often as the soil dries out.
Propagation in water:
- Sterilize the blades of the shears with alcohol or the flame of a lighter;
- Cut the clippings: they should have 3 or 4 knots/nodes;
- Remove the lower leaves from each clipping, so that they do not rot in water;
- Place the clippings in a jar filled with water;
- Change the water every week;
- When the roots are about 4-5 cm long, plant the clipping in a pot with well-draining soil, watering immediately after planting and then every time the soil dries out.
It just takes a little patience, but within a few weeks you will see that the plants take possession of the soil, grow and will produce new shoots!
Ready to propagate your pothos?
