Propagating pothos in water takes a 4- to 6-inch stem cutting with at least one node, a glass of room-temperature water changed about once a week, and bright, indirect light. Pothos cuttings usually root within 3 to 4 weeks, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, and more slowly in a cool winter room. Once the roots are 1 to 2 inches long, the cutting is ready to move to soil.
It's an easy winter project for when the garden goes quiet, and you can watch the roots form through the glass. Here's how to take the cutting, care for it in winter, pot it up and fix rot.
Which plants root in water like pothos?
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to root in water, and it forgives a missed water change. Several other common houseplants and herbs root in water in much the same way:
- Heartleaf philodendron: a lookalike vine that roots just as easily.
- Tradescantia (wandering dude): fast to root and quick to fill a pot.
- Arrowhead plant (syngonium): roots well from a stem with a node.
- Coleus: a nice way to save a favorite outdoor plant from frost by bringing a cutting inside.
- Mint and basil: kitchen herbs that root in water from fresh, non-flowering stems.
Holiday cacti are the exception: those cuttings go into damp, well-draining mix instead, as our Christmas cactus care guide explains.
One safety note: pothos and philodendrons are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep cuttings, like the parent plants, out of reach of curious pets and kids.
What you need to propagate pothos in water
To propagate pothos in water, you need a healthy vine, clean scissors, a clear glass and a bright spot out of direct sun.
- A healthy pothos (or one of the plants above) with some longer vines
- Clean, sharp scissors or pruners
- Clear glass vessels: jars, bud vases or wall-mounted propagation vases
- Room-temperature water
- A spot with bright, indirect light
How to propagate pothos in water, step by step
A pothos cutting roots in water from a node held below the water line, so every step is about getting a node under and keeping the water clean.
1Find the nodes
A node is the small bump on the stem where a leaf joins it. Roots grow from nodes, and Clemson Cooperative Extension notes that a pothos cutting needs at least one node to root properly. On pothos you'll often see a little brown nub there, which is an aerial root waiting to wake up.
2Take the cutting
Cut just below a node, making a piece about 4 to 6 inches long with one or two nodes and a couple of leaves. Shorter cuttings suit small vessels. Taking several cuttings from the ends of long vines also helps the parent plant look fuller.
3Strip the lower leaves
Remove any leaf that would sit underwater, since submerged leaves rot and cloud the water. The goal is a node under the water line and leaves above it.
4Add water and place it in good light
Fill your vessel with room-temperature water and set the cutting in so the node is submerged. If your tap water is heavily chlorinated, some growers let it stand out overnight first. Choose bright, indirect light: near a window but out of harsh, direct sun, which warms the water and encourages algae.
5Refresh the water weekly
Change the water about once a week, or sooner if it turns cloudy. Give the glass a quick rinse at the same time. Clean water is the single biggest factor in avoiding rot.
6Leave it in place
Don't move the cutting around or pull it out to check. You can watch progress through the glass.
How long does propagating pothos in water take?
Pothos vines root in water within 3 to 4 weeks, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. Timing varies with warmth, light and the health of the parent plant. Clemson Cooperative Extension says pothos prefers 60 to 70°F at night and 70 to 85°F during the day, so a cool winter windowsill slows things down. A few small adjustments help:
- Find your brightest indirect spot. East- and west-facing windows are often good. If every room feels dim, a small grow light can make a real difference. Browse our indoor gardening and grow lights collection.
- Avoid cold glass and hot vents. Cuttings pressed against an icy window at night, or sitting in a blast of dry heat, struggle. A few inches of distance helps.
- Expect a slower pace. A cutting that roots quickly in summer may take several weeks longer in January. That's normal.
When to move pothos cuttings to soil
Move pothos cuttings to soil once the roots are about 1 to 2 inches long. Some people wait for small side roots to branch off as well.
- Choose a small pot with a drainage hole and a light, well-draining houseplant mix. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension recommends planting several rooted cuttings together in one pot for a fuller plant.
- Plant gently. Water roots are delicate. Make a hole, set the roots in and firm the mix lightly around them.
- Keep the mix evenly moist at first. Roots that grew in water need a couple of weeks to adjust to soil, so don't let the pot dry out completely during that time.
- Then ease into normal watering. This is where it helps to check the root zone instead of guessing. Our guide on how to use a soil moisture meter walks through it.
A yellow leaf or two after the move is common and usually settles down. You can also keep pothos growing in water long term: keep changing the water regularly and feed occasionally with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer.
Why pothos cuttings rot or won't root
Pothos cuttings usually fail because of stale water, no node under the water line, or too little light and warmth.
- Mushy, dark stem: that's rot. Trim above the soft section, rinse the vessel, and start again in fresh water with a clean cut below a healthy node.
- No roots after six weeks or more: check that a node is actually underwater, then move the cutting somewhere brighter and a little warmer.
- Green film on the glass: that's algae from light plus nutrients. Change the water more often and keep the glass out of direct sun.
- Yellowing leaves: one older leaf yellowing is normal as the cutting puts energy into roots. Several at once often points to low light or stale water.
How to set up a propagation station wall
A propagation station wall is a row of clear glass vessels hung on a bright wall, so you can watch pothos roots grow. Our Wall-Mounted Glass Propagation Vases are clear, flat-backed glass bubbles that sit flush against the wall. Each one is about 3.1 inches (8 cm), which suits one or two short cuttings, and they come in sets of 2, 4, 6 or 8. They also work as mini terrariums for air plants or as small bud vases. Plants, pebbles and wall hooks aren't included, so pick up a few small hooks before you hang them, and handle the glass with care. For more ways to start new plants, explore our seed starting and propagation collection.
Frequently asked questions
How long does pothos take to root in water?
Pothos cuttings usually root in water within 3 to 4 weeks, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. Warmth, bright indirect light and a healthy parent plant speed rooting up. In a cool winter room, pothos can take noticeably longer, so give the cutting time before assuming something is wrong.
Where do you cut pothos to propagate it?
Cut a pothos vine just below a node, the small bump where a leaf meets the stem. Make each cutting about 4 to 6 inches long with one or two nodes and a couple of leaves, because pothos roots grow from the nodes.
How often should you change the water for pothos cuttings?
Change the water for pothos cuttings about once a week, or sooner if it turns cloudy, and rinse the glass at the same time. Clean, room-temperature water is the biggest single factor in keeping a pothos stem from rotting while it roots.
When should I move pothos cuttings from water to soil?
Move pothos cuttings to soil when the roots are about 1 to 2 inches long. Plant them in a small pot with a drainage hole and a light, well-draining mix, and keep the mix evenly moist for the first couple of weeks.
Can pothos live in water permanently?
Yes, pothos can live in water long term. Change the water regularly, rinse the vessel, and add a small amount of diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer now and then, since plain water gives the plant very few nutrients.
Do I need rooting hormone for pothos cuttings?
Generally no. Pothos roots readily from a node in plain water, so rooting hormone is more useful for harder-to-root plants. For pothos cuttings, clean water, a node below the surface and bright, indirect light matter far more.
Is pothos toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep pothos cuttings and the parent plant out of reach of pets, and hang glass vessels or set windowsill jars where curious paws can't knock them over.
