How to Propagate Devil’s Ivy (Pothos): The Best and Easiest Methods

Difficulty: 2/5
Est. Time: 10-30 mins

Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, has become a really popular houseplant for a number of reasons; not least that it’s unbelievably easy to propagate. Pothos are honestly one of my favourite plants, they’re what got me started with propagation and my love of plants. They’re a versatile plant that can be grown in almost all conditions, making it perfect for both pro and noob plant owners. Propagating Devil’s Ivy is so satisfying, partly because it’s so easy, partly because they grow so fast, and it’s a great way to grow more plants for yourself or to share with your friends. There’s something special about a plant that was nurtured with your own bare hands. In this post, I’m going to go over three methods of how to propagate Devil’s Ivy, all of which are super easy.

Contents:

  • Tools and Materials
  • Method 1: Water Propagation
  • Method 2: Soil Propagation
  • Method 3: Air Layering
  • FAQs

Tools and Materials

Before we start hacking at your Pothos, we need a few things:

  • A Pothos plant (too obvious?)
  • A sharp knife/scissors/secateurs – the sharper the better
  • Glass jar(s) or container(s)
  • Optional: rooting hormone

I’ve got some options of these items in the little shop on the site but upcycled jars/kitchen scissors will work fine – just make sure the blades are clean and sharp, it really does help and give your plant the best chance at rooting and thriving.

pothos-in-flask-water-propagation

Method 1: Water Propagation

Water propagation is one of the easiest and most popular methods to propagate Devil’s Ivy because it is a simple and straightforward process that requires basically no materials. This method is perfect for beginners who might not have experience propagating plants – this is where it all began for me. As well, water propagation lets you watch the growth of the roots of the new plant over time, which is super rewarding. They can also live in water indefinitely if you want them to. Here’s how you do it:

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Cut a healthy stem from the parent plant with at least two leaves and nodes.
    • Nodes on a pothos are small bumps or joints on the stem; this is where the roots will grow from.
  2. Remove the lower leaves from the stem if you’ve got a longer stem with multiple leaves.
  3. Place the stem in a jar filled with water, making sure that the bottom of the stem and at least one node is submerged in the water.
  4. Place the jar in bright, indirect light.
  5. After a few weeks, roots should start to grow from the bottom of the stem.
  6. Optional: Once the roots are a few inches long, transplant the new plant into soil.

ADVANTAGES

  • Easy and minimal equipment required
  • Can observe root growth progress
  • Easy upkeep and maintenance
  • Can live in water indefinitely (as long as you feed it now and then)

TIPS FOR CARE:

While propagating Devil’s Ivy in water is fairly maintenance-free, it is important to take proper care of the new plant to ensure its growth and health. Keep an eye on the water, top it up as needed, ensuring the roots are covered and change it if it becomes murky or dirty at all. Once the roots are a few inches long, the new plant can be transplanted into soil if you want to. IF you do, the soil should be kept damp and placed in a bright, indirect light to encourage growth.

Method 2: Soil Propagation

Another method for propagating Devil’s Ivy is soil propagation. This method is slightly more advanced than water propagation, but it is still really easy to do and you shouldn’t expect to come up against any major issues. The only materials you’ll need are a good potting mix and a pot (or a few).

Step-by-Step Process:

It’s a very similar process to propagating in water, the only major difference being that you’re now using soil.
  1. Cut a healthy stem with at least two leaves from the parent plant.
  2. Remove the lower leaves from the stem if you’ve got a longer stem with multiple leaves.
  3. Optional: Dip the bottom of the stem in rooting hormone.
  4. Plant the stem in a pot filled with moist potting soil.
  5. Place the pot in a bright, indirect light.
  6. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, by watering it regularly.
  7. After a few weeks, new growth should start to appear.
  8. Once the new plant is established, you can transplant it to a larger pot.

ADVANTAGES

Using soil has its benefits over just plain water, and it might be worth trying both methods – for science (and, ya know.. free plants).

  • Higher success rate than water propagation.
  • Faster root growth compared to water propagation.
  • More nutrients for the plant generally means faster growth once rooted.

TIPS FOR CARE:

Like before, these props are very low maintenance, but proper care is important for the growth and health of a new Devil’s Ivy plant. After new growth appears, the new plant can be transplanted into a larger pot if you’d like, although it should happily grow in a small pot for a good while. A larger pot will yield more growth. Well draining soil is always the best option for propagation; it should be kept moist but not waterlogged to avoid root rot. Place the new plant in a bright, indirect light to encourage growth. If you have a variegated pothos, more light will result in more variegation.

Method 3: Air Layering

Air layering sounds more complex than it really is. Sure, it’s is a more advanced method for propagating Devil’s Ivy, but it can be very effective. This method involves creating a ‘wound’ on the parent plant and encouraging it to grow roots at the wound site by attaching a growing medium to it. It’s an interesting way of going about it and feels quite surgical in my opinion. Give it a go! Here’s the process:

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Select a healthy stem on the parent plant and make a small cut in the stem.
  2. You can dust the cut with rooting hormone to encourage root growth if you have any, although it’s not needed.
  3. Wrap the cut area in moist sphagnum moss/peat moss.
  4. Cover the moss with plastic wrap to keep it moist and secure it with gardening string or tape.
  5. After a few weeks, roots should start to appear from the cut.
  6. Once the roots are established, you can cut the stem below the moss.
  7. Plant the stem in soil and keep it moist and in a bright, indirect light.
This can actually be done in a couple of slightly different ways as well. One, without making a wound, and instead using existing air roots if any are present – the rest of the process is the same. And two, by fastening the wounded part of the stem to some soil (in the same or a different pot). Once the new stem starts to root you can cut it free from the mother plant and pot it up in its own pot (or let it live alongside it’s mother for a bushier plant).

ADVANTAGES

Although this method is more time consuming and requires a little more care and a surgical steady hand (that might be an overstatement), it pays to put in the extra bit of effort.
  • High success rate
  • Can be done without cutting the parent plant

TIPS FOR CARE:

When propagating Devil’s Ivy with sphagnum moss/peat moss, it is important to keep the moss moist. You can use a spray bottle to add more water into the wrapped moss package if it starts to dry out. After the roots are established, the stem is ready to become its own plant; cut below the moss (note the direction the leaves are growing in, don’t cut above it!) and plant it in some high-quality, well-draining soil. For the best results, the newly independent plant should be kept in a bright, indirect light.

Final Thoughts

Propagating Devil’s Ivy is really easy. After doing it 100+ times it’s rare that I get a failure. In saying that, it does happen, but that’s nature – get another stem and try again; experiment with different lengths, numbers of nodes and leaves, positioning, light levels, etc. It’s a lot of fun and a rewarding way to grow more plants for your home or to share with others. It’s always special to give/recieve a plant that has been grown, not bought! Whether you choose to use water propagation, soil propagation, or air layering, the process is pretty simple and can lead to a thriving jungle of Devil’s Ivy in your home. Experiment with different methods to see which one works best for you and don’t be afraid to try new things. With a little patience and care, you can become a pro at propagating Devil’s Ivy in no time. Happy propagating!

FAQs

Q: How long does it take for Devil’s Ivy to root?

A: The time it takes for Devil’s Ivy to root depends on the propagation method used. Water propagation can take a few weeks to a month, while soil propagation can take a few weeks to a couple of months. Air layering can take a few months.

Q: Can I propagate Devil’s Ivy from a leaf cutting?

A: Yes and no, it is possible to propagate Devil’s Ivy from a leaf cutting, so long as it is attached to a node. You can actually propagate a Pothos from just a single node with no leaves, although it’s unreliable. It’s best to use stem cuttings with at least two leaves and nodes for the best results.

Q: What kind of rooting hormone should I use for soil propagation?

A: There are several types of rooting hormones available, including gel, liquid, and powder forms. Choose one that is appropriate for the type of plant you are propagating and follow the instructions on the package. It’s not at all needed for Pothos and they’ll happily grow without it.

Q: Can I propagate Devil’s Ivy in low light conditions?

A: Devil’s Ivy prefers bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate low light conditions. However, the plant may not grow as quickly or produce as many leaves in low light.

Q: How often should I water my newly propagated Devil’s Ivy?

A: It is important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged when propagating Devil’s Ivy. Water the plant whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. A well-draining soil mix will be your best bet.