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Home and Garden
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Planting and Growing
Plant Propagation Techniques
How to Propagate a Golden Pothos Download Article Co-authored by Kyle Hall Reviewed by Ben Barkan
Last Updated: March 10, 2025
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Cutting the Stem
|
Potting and Watering the Stem
|
Expert Q&A
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Things You'll Need
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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 70,295 times.
Golden pothos, also known as devil's ivy, is an easy-to-grow houseplant that grows long, leafy vines. Golden pothos are popular plants in homes and offices because of their beautiful golden green leaves and their ability to thrive in a variety of environments. If you're looking to grow a new golden pothos, you can easily propagate one using a small stem cut from a full-grown plant.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Cutting the Stem
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1 Cut a 4 inch (10 cm) section off a stem just below the root node. The root nodes are the small brown nodes on the golden pothos’ stems. Try to find a 4 inch (10 cm) section of stem that is healthy and has at least 3 leaves on it.[1]XResearch source
Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the stem.
Avoid propagating with stems that are wilted or brown.
2 Pull the leaves off the bottom 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the stem you cut off. You want to take the leaves off the bottom so they’re not in the way when you plant the stem.[2]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Dip the stem in a rooting hormone if you want it to root faster. Rooting hormones are gels or powders that help plants grow roots faster. You can still propagate your golden pothos stem without a rooting hormone, but it may take longer to root.[3]XResearch source
4 Put the stem in water if you want the roots to grow before you pot it. Golden pothos can be rooted in both water and soil. If you decide to root the stem in water, fill a jar with enough water to cover the base of the stem. Put the stem in the jar and place it somewhere that gets indirect sunlight. Wait about a month for the roots to form. Then, transfer the rooted stem to soil.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 2:
Potting and Watering the Stem
Download Article
1 Fill a small pot with 1 part peat moss and 1 part coarse sand. You can also use perlite instead of sand. The sand or perlite will give the soil good drainage, which will help prevent your new golden pothos from getting root rot.[4]XResearch source
Use a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom.
2 Make a thin hole in the soil and place the root node end of the stem in it. Make the hole deep enough that the bottom 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the stem is covered with soil. Gently fill the hole in with soil without packing it down.[5]XResearch source
3 Water the stem immediately so the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil is wet. Don’t soak the soil or leave the stem sitting in a lot of water. If water drains out of the drainage holes into the tray underneath, remove the tray and empty out the water.[6]XResearch source
4 Keep the soil moist until you see new growth. New growth is a sign that the roots are established. Check on the soil every day. If it looks dry, lightly water the stem. It could take up to a month for the roots on your new golden pothos to get established in the soil.[7]XResearch source
5 Let the soil dry out between waterings once the roots are established. Don’t overwater your new golden pothos or the leaves could turn yellow and die. If you see signs of overwatering, water your golden pothos less frequently.[8]XResearch source
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Expert Q&A
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Question Can pothos be grown in water? Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Expert Answer Pathos can be grown in water but will be a much longer lived plant if planted in soil. Rooting pothos cuttings is easy in a cup of water but the plant should eventually be planted into soil. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 11
Question Can I trim a pothos plant? Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Expert Answer Yes, regular trimming will keep the plant healthy. Remove yellowing leaves and stems as needed. Trim about 1/3 of the plant annually to manage its growth. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 8
Question Do pothos need a lot of light? Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Expert Answer No. They can survive in a variety of light conditions but do not need a lot of light. Avoid direct sunlight. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
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Things You’ll Need
Pruning shears
Rooting hormone
Pot with drainage holes
Peat moss
Coarse sand
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 70,295 times. 9 votes - 89% Co-authors: 11Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 70,295 Categories: Indoor and Patio Plants | Plant Propagation TechniquesArticle SummaryX
The easiest way to propagate golden pothos is to cut a 4 inch section from a stem on the mother plant. Make the cut right below a root node on the stem. Then, remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem and plant the stem in a pot filled with 1 part peat moss and 1 part coarse sand. Keep the soil moist until the roots on the stem are established. For more tips from our Horticulturist reviewer, including how to make the roots grow faster, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer Co-authors: 11Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 70,29589% of readers found this article helpful. 9 votes - 89% Click a star to add your vote
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Download Article Co-authored by Kyle Hall Reviewed by Ben Barkan 
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 70,295 times. 9 votes - 89% Co-authors: 11 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 70,295 Categories: Indoor and Patio Plants | Plant Propagation Techniques Article SummaryX
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1 Cut a 4 inch (10 cm) section off a stem just below the root node. The root nodes are the small brown nodes on the golden pothos’ stems. Try to find a 4 inch (10 cm) section of stem that is healthy and has at least 3 leaves on it.[1] 
2 Pull the leaves off the bottom 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the stem you cut off. You want to take the leaves off the bottom so they’re not in the way when you plant the stem.[2] Advertisement 
3 Dip the stem in a rooting hormone if you want it to root faster. Rooting hormones are gels or powders that help plants grow roots faster. You can still propagate your golden pothos stem without a rooting hormone, but it may take longer to root.[3] 
4 Put the stem in water if you want the roots to grow before you pot it. Golden pothos can be rooted in both water and soil. If you decide to root the stem in water, fill a jar with enough water to cover the base of the stem. Put the stem in the jar and place it somewhere that gets indirect sunlight. Wait about a month for the roots to form. Then, transfer the rooted stem to soil. Advertisement 
1 Fill a small pot with 1 part peat moss and 1 part coarse sand. You can also use perlite instead of sand. The sand or perlite will give the soil good drainage, which will help prevent your new golden pothos from getting root rot.[4] 
2 Make a thin hole in the soil and place the root node end of the stem in it. Make the hole deep enough that the bottom 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the stem is covered with soil. Gently fill the hole in with soil without packing it down.[5] 
3 Water the stem immediately so the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil is wet. Don’t soak the soil or leave the stem sitting in a lot of water. If water drains out of the drainage holes into the tray underneath, remove the tray and empty out the water.[6] 
4 Keep the soil moist until you see new growth. New growth is a sign that the roots are established. Check on the soil every day. If it looks dry, lightly water the stem. It could take up to a month for the roots on your new golden pothos to get established in the soil.[7] 
5 Let the soil dry out between waterings once the roots are established. Don’t overwater your new golden pothos or the leaves could turn yellow and die. If you see signs of overwatering, water your golden pothos less frequently.[8] Advertisement 
Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. 
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