How to propagate neon pothos

Discover the secrets of how to propagate neon pothos effortlessly! Learn the art of turning one plant into many, with simple steps on snipping, water propagation, and successful transplantation to soil. Plus, explore expert tips on when, where, and how to propagate neon pothos for a thriving indoor garden.

One great thing about having a happy, healthy plant is that it grows quickly. Sometimes, plants will grow wild and start to overflow their containers.

One plant that grows particularly quickly in the right conditions is Neon Pothos.

When a trailing plant like the neon pothos starts getting super long, it's time for a haircut!

Trimming your neon pothos is an important part of it's care schedule. But, don't throw those cuttings away - propagate them!

It's so fun to take a cutting and watch the roots grow on a new plant!

Join us as we unveil the secrets behind neon pothos propagation, demystifying the process and showcasing how simple and enjoyable it can be.

Let’s delve into the art of neon pothos propagation and witness the magic of new life taking root!

Why should I take pothos cuttings?

The biggest reasons to take cuttings from your pothos plant are because it needs a haircut or simply to make new plants. It doesn't take a long time to turn one pothos plant into LOTS of pothos plants!

These trailing plants can grow really long. If you are letting them hang down, you will eventually need to trim them back to keep them off the floor. Put those trimmings to use by propagating them!

You also might just want to propagate the plant. That's fine too! Cuttings can be used to fill out your pot or make a new pot!

Pothos cuttings also make a good idea for a free gift! Place 2-4 in a glass jar with a bow tied around it! Your friends will love watching the roots grow and then can add them to any pot of soil. 

What is neon pothos?

Neon pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Neon') is a variety of the pothos plant with lime green neon leaves. This bold lime color is what makes the neon pothos different from other common pothos varieties.

See my Golden Pothos vs Neon Pothos comparison!

Neon pothos is natively found in the Soloman Islands in Oceania. In the wild, these plants grow climbing up the trunks of large tropical trees.

Many houseplant collectors love that neon pothos care is so simple and that they tend to thrive in most indoor environments. These plants grow in long vines, so they can either hang, like from a basket or planter, or climb up a moss pole or trellis.

How long does it take for neon pothos to root in water?

After you've snipped those cuttings and placed them in water, expect to see the first signs of roots after roughly two weeks.

But here's the trick: patience pays off. I usually let my cuttings chill in the water for about two months. During this time, those initial roots grow longer, reaching about 2-3 inches.

Why? Longer roots mean a stronger foundation when you finally plant your neon pothos in soil. It’s like giving your plant the best chance to thrive in its new home.

Can you grow neon pothos in water?

Yes, neon pothos can be grown in water, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts. This plant can be easily propagated by placing cuttings in water, where it develops a healthy root system within approximately two weeks. However, they grow best in the long term if you do transfer them to soil before the roots get much longer than 3 inches. 

Can you propagate neon pothos in soil?

Yes, soil propagation is the same as water propagation for pothos, just keep the soil moist. I suggest placing a plastic bag loosely over the pot to create a greenhouse effect.

I prefer water propagation because you can easily monitor root growth.

You can also propagate pothos in LECA or sphagnum moss. These materials help to absorb water and maintain moisture and can speed up the rooting process.

Honestly, pothos root so easily that I don't think you need any add-ins. Plain water works great most of the time!

When is the best time to propagate neon pothos?

Pothos growing season is spring and summer and cuttings taken will root fastest then. However, you can successfully propagate indoor plants indoors year round. Just put them in indirect sunlight inside your home!

The other thing to consider is that your parent plant will be growing the most and the quickest during the warm growing season. This means that it will re-grow and recover from it's trim fastest in the spring and summer. A plant trimmed in the winter might take quite a while to grow back!

When should I move pothos cuttings from water to soil?

Wondering when to plant propagated pothos? Move your cutting into soil when the roots are about 2 inches long. Place in bright indirect light and let it flourish!

Can you propagate pothos without leaves?

Yes, I have successfully propagated segments of pothos stem with no leaves. The leaves have nothing to do with growing roots - roots entirely come from the nodes on the stem of the plant.

In fact, you can propagate just from a tiny little inch of stem - assuming that it has a node on it!

I actually tend to remove all but one leaf when rooting a cutting. This allows the plant to focus it's energy on root growth and not maintaining leaves.

So, don't stress about the leaves. Once you plant the rooted cutting in soil they will grow new leaves eventually!

Where to cut pothos for propagation?

You want cuttings to be 6-8 inches long. Select a healthy branch of the plant, preferably one with active new plant growth. Roots will grow from the nodes (little brown bumps where leaves grow) so be sure to cut off a couple of nodes.

You can cut so a node is at the bottom of your cutting, which will put roots at the end of your cutting. This means the remaining segment past the node on the mother plant will turn brown and die back, and new growth will come from the last node.

You can also cut just before a leaf node, so the node is the last thing left on the mama plant. This will make new growth grow right where you cut the mama plant, but roots on the new cutting will be a bit higher. Be sure that your water jar is deep enough to keep the node submerged.

How to propagate neon pothos

It is extremely easy to propagate neon pothos in water.

1. Identify a healthy branch, preferably with new growth
2. Snip the branch with sharp scissors
3. Remove any lower leaves
4. Place in water so at least 1 - preferably 2 - nodes are underwater
5. Change the water once a week and top off as necessary
6. See roots form in 2-4 weeks
7. Once the roots are 2-3 inches long, plant in soil

Thanks for reading!