How to propagate pothos in soil

Wondering how to propagate pothos in soil? Here’s what you need to know to get your baby plant cuttings rooting!

Pothos is one of – if not the – easiest plants to propagate.

It’s also a super easy to care for plant in general!

I always recommend pothos for new plant owners and definitely think they are a great first propagation experiment, too.

The most common way to root pothos cuttings is in water.

But, you can also propagate pothos directly in soil!

Let’s dive into everything that you need to know about propagating pothos in soil!

Can I propagate pothos directly in soil?

You can absolutely propagate pothos directly in soil. The key thing is to keep the soil moist enough to encourage root growth, without letting it be soggy enough to rot the cutting.

How long does pothos take to root in soil?

Pothos will grow roots at similar rates in soil and in water – in one to three months. If you don’t see root growth at all in one month, there might be a problem.

Pothos cuttings that are rooted in soil are considered “established” when you gently tug on them and they do not easily come out of the soil – roots are holding them in place.

Is it better to propagate pothos in soil or water?

There are benefits and drawbacks to rooting pothos in each soil and water. I personally prefer to root my cuttings in water, but that’s not always the best option.

Pros of propagating in water

• Roots faster
• You can visually see the roots growing
• As long as you keep the water full, your moisture levels are fine

Cons of propagating in water

• Sometimes cuttings grow weak roots in water and die when moved to soil

Pros of propagating in soil

• No worry about transplant shock since you never move it, it’s in soil the whole time
• “set it and forget it” mindset

Cons of propagating in soil

• You cannot see the roots growing under ground
• It can be easier for the cutting to dry out, especially if you don’t cover with plastic

How to propagate pothos in soil

It is super easy to propagate pothos in soil.

Tools needed:

• Clean scissors
• Small pot of soil
• Pothos plant
• Water
• Rooting hormone powder
• Clear plastic bag

Steps to propagate pothos in soil:

1. Choose a healthy branch of your plant to take a cutting from. I always suggest looking for a branch with recent new growth.
2. Use your scissors to cut off a 3 to 6 inch piece of the plant. Be sure that on the end of your cutting there is a node or one of the bumps on the stem. You have to have a node go under the soil to grow roots.
3. Remove any leaves that will fall under the soil. I usually leave one or two leaves only.
4. gently plant your cutting in the soil so that at least one node is under the soil.
5. Water the soil so that it is moist.
6. Cover the pot loosely with a clear plastic bag. This will create a greenhouse effect and help to keep the soil moist. Pothos also tends to route faster and more humid conditions.
7. Place the cutting in bright, indirect light.
8. Check the cutting every couple of days to make sure that the soil stays moist.
9. You should see roots in 4 to 6 weeks and it should be established enough that you cannot easily pull it out of the soil within three months.

Thanks for reading!

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