The Epipremnum aureum, often called the Pothos plant, is a well-loved choice for hanging planters and is very easy to propagate.
As the plant grows, its trailing stems can get quite long or start to look sparse. Pruning the stems is simple, and the cuttings can be used to grow new plants or to make the original plant appear fuller.
Further reading: Pothos plant care guide.
Further reading: 6 different ways to propagate all your plants.
How to Prune a Pothos Plant
When a pothos gets plenty of bright light, it can grow quite long. However, in low light, its vines may become sparse and stretched out, with more space between the leaves.
If your pothos starts looking too long or sparse, you can either train it to grow on a moss pole or prune it to keep it neat.
To prune, cut back all the long stems. This will leave you with a more compact plant while giving you several vine cuttings. The parent plant will grow back where you trimmed it, and you can use the cuttings to propagate new plants.
Propagation in Water
Propagating pothos cuttings in water is super simple. You can take a long cutting, remove one or two leaves near the bottom, and place it in water.
Another option is to create smaller cuttings by dividing the stem into sections. Cut just before and just after a leaf. The spot where the leaf meets the stem, called the node, is where roots will develop. Make sure to include a node on each cutting and discard any stem sections without leaves.
- Start by taking a stem cutting and removing one or two leaves near the bottom, or cut the stem into smaller sections with leaves.
- Place the cuttings in a glass or jar with enough water to cover the bottom part.
- Keep the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light.
- Change the water regularly to keep it clean and avoid algae buildup.
- Roots typically start to form within one to two weeks. Wait until they are at least one to two inches long before planting the cuttings in soil.
Further reading: How to Water Propagate Plants.
Propagation in Soil
Here’s a straightforward way to propagate pothos by rooting cuttings directly in soil, skipping the water-rooting step.
- Start by taking stem cuttings. You can leave them long or cut them into smaller pieces with one or two leaves. If you have rooting hormone, apply a small amount to the cut ends before planting. This can help roots form faster and grow stronger, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have any—the process may just take a little longer.
- Once your cuttings are ready, plant them in well-draining soil. Adding some perlite or pumice can improve drainage and airflow. Place the pot in a spot with bright, indirect light.
- Water lightly until you notice new growth. Once the plant starts growing, switch to regular care to help it thrive.
Further reading: Tips to Propagate your Houseplants.
Propagating by Division
Large pothos plants with long vines can also be propagated by dividing them. This involves splitting the root ball and repotting the sections into smaller containers. Here’s how to do it:
- Remove the plant from its pot and gently shake off as much of the old soil as possible without damaging the roots.
- Decide where to divide the plant. Using your hands, carefully separate the roots and foliage.
- If the roots are tightly tangled, use a sharp knife to make a clean cut and split the plant.
- Place each section into its own pot with fresh soil. Keep the new plants in bright, indirect light.
- Water them once after planting, and wait to water again until you notice new growth.
Propagating by division is faster than rooting cuttings in water or soil. Once divided, you already have a complete plant, while cuttings take longer to grow into a full-sized plant.
Related reading: Meaning and Symbolism of Pothos plants.