Propagation is not always successful on the first few tries, but we encourage you to start somewhere because it’s rewarding when it works! You. Got. This.
Propagation for many plants is best done in potting soil, but some plants can be propagated in water. This is because they have evolved in an environment that allows it. Most Aroid plants can be propagated in water, including pothos plants, philodendrons, monsteras, and ZZ plants. These plants originate from an ancestor that lived in swamps, so being able to adapt to flooding conditions and still being able to grow was key to survival. As a result, the descendants of that ancestor have the ability to grow in water, too. However, they are still land plants and will do best if planted in soil over the long term. Follow our easy steps below and you’ll be putting the ‘pro’ in propagation in no time.
How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings
What you’ll need:
- Plant to propagate (we show you how to propagate a Pothos below)
- Scissors/Pruners
- Glass vessel filled with room temperature water
- Garden gloves to keep germs away (or wash your hands thoroughly)
Step 1: Look for Roots
On a mature vine, look right below the leaf or stem/vine juncture for a tiny brown root node. These tiny bumps are the key to propagating pothos. You’ll want to snip off a couple of inches of the healthy stem right before a node and include a node or two with the cutting, as this is where the new roots will come from.
