Healthy pothos stem
1 cutting, 3–6 inches with at least two nodes
Home
Houseplant propagation.
Root a healthy pothos stem in water, then move it into potting mix once roots develop.
- Makes
- 1 new pothos plant
- Hands-on
- 20 minutes across two sessions
- Total time
- Usually 3–6 weeks to roots, then establishment
- Effort
- Easy
GET WHAT YOU NEED
Your shopping list
For 1 new pothos plant.
Clean water
Enough to cover the lower node
Clean household water is sufficient for rooting the cutting; purification tablets are not required.
Well-draining potting mix
Enough for a small 3–4-inch pot
Amounts are what the project uses, not package sizes. Compare quantities and product details before buying.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Tools & supplies
Clean sharp scissors
Cuts without crushing the stem.
Small glass jar
Makes roots visible.
Small pot with drainage and saucer
Houses the rooted cutting.
STEP BY STEP
Put it together
Cut
Take a stem section just below a node, the joint where a leaf attaches. Keep at least two nodes.
Prepare
Remove lower leaves so none will sit underwater. Keep an upper leaf above the rim.
Root
Submerge the lower node in water. Place in bright indirect light, away from hot direct sun.
Refresh
Change water once or twice weekly and keep developing roots submerged. Discard a cutting that becomes soft and rotten.
Pot
When roots are about 1 inch long, plant at the same node depth in moist mix. Keep evenly moist while it adjusts, with excess water draining away.
Good to know
- A leaf without a stem node will not make a new pothos vine.
- Water-grown roots can struggle after potting; allow an adjustment period.
- Keep pothos away from pets and children who might chew it.
SAVE THE MAKING
Prefer it ready-made?
Compare these finished options with making your own.
Rooted pothos plant
An established plant avoids the rooting wait.
Links go to the selected products. Availability and delivery vary by location; check the current listing and package size before ordering.
Sources & further reading
Independent instructions informed by the sources below. No affiliation or endorsement is implied. These instructions have not been kitchen- or workshop-tested by DIBuyIt.
- Iowa State Extension: stem cuttings — Cutting size, water changes and potting threshold
- Wisconsin Extension: pothos — Species suitability and household caution