How To Take A Clipping From A Pothos

Taking a clipping from a pothos is one of the easiest ways to grow new plants for free.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to take a clipping from a pothos correctly, this guide will walk you through it step by step.
 
You don’t need to be a plant expert to take a clipping from a pothos successfully.
 
With just a few tools and a little know-how, you can take clippings from a pothos and turn them into thriving new vines.
 
In this post, we’ll cover exactly how to take a clipping from a pothos, what you’ll need, and what to do after you take your clipping from a pothos.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Take a Clipping from a Pothos

Taking a clipping from a pothos starts with choosing the right vine and making a clean cut.
 
Follow these steps carefully when you take a clipping from a pothos.
 

1. Choose a Healthy Vine

Look for a vine that has healthy green leaves and visible aerial roots or nodes.
 
These nodes are the small brown bumps along the stem where new roots will form.
 
When you take a clipping from a pothos, you want at least one node on your cutting.
 
The more nodes you include, the better your chances of successful rooting.
 
Avoid vines that look yellow, wilted, or damaged in any way.
 
A healthy vine gives you the best start when you take a clipping from a pothos.
 
Inspect the mother plant thoroughly before you take a clipping from a pothos.
 
Choose a vine with lots of leaf variegation if that’s what you love about pothos.
 

2. Use Clean, Sharp Scissors

Before you take a clipping from a pothos, make sure your scissors or pruning shears are clean and sharp.
 
Dirty tools can introduce bacteria that rot the stem and ruin your efforts.
 
Sharp scissors make a clean cut which helps the plant heal faster.
 
Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol before you take a clipping from a pothos.
 
This simple step prevents disease transmission and keeps your plant healthy.
 
Sterilizing your tools is a small step that makes a big difference.
 

3. Cut Below a Node

When you take a clipping from a pothos, cut about a quarter inch below a node.
 
A node is where the leaf meets the stem and looks like a small bump.
 
This is where the new roots will emerge from the stem.
 
If you take a clipping from a pothos without including a node, it won’t root at all.
 
So always check for nodes before you make your cut on the vine.
 
You can take a clipping from a pothos that has one node or multiple nodes.
 
Multiple nodes give you more chances for root growth and a fuller plant.
 
Angle your cut at about 45 degrees for better water absorption.
 

4. Remove the Lower Leaves

After you take a clipping from a pothos, remove the leaves from the bottom portion of the stem.
 
Any leaves that would be submerged in water or buried in soil should be removed.
 
Leaves left in water will rot and can harm your cutting significantly.
 
When you take a clipping from a pothos, leave a couple of leaves at the top of the stem.
 
This allows the cutting to still photosynthesize while it grows new roots.
 
Removing lower leaves also reduces water loss from the cutting.
 
This helps your clipping from a pothos focus its energy on root development.
 

What to Do After You Take a Clipping from a Pothos

Once you take a clipping from a pothos, you have two main options for rooting.
 
Both methods work well for propagating your new plant.
 

1. Root in Water

Place your clipping from a pothos in a clean jar filled with room temperature water.
 
Make sure the node is fully submerged but the leaves stay above water level.
 
Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and oxygenated.
 
Within a couple of weeks, you’ll see white roots emerging from the node.
 
This is the most popular method after you take a clipping from a pothos.
 
It’s fun to watch the roots grow in the glass jar over time.
 
You can keep your clipping from a pothos in water indefinitely.
 
But transplanting to soil gives you a stronger plant in the long run.
 

2. Root in Soil

You can also take a clipping from a pothos and plant it directly into moist potting soil.
 
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you want to encourage faster root growth.
 
Plant the node about an inch deep in the soil and pat it gently.
 
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaking wet at any point.
 
When you take a clipping from a pothos and root it in soil, the plant adapts faster.
 
Cover the pot with a plastic bag for the first week to create a mini greenhouse.
 
This helps retain humidity around your clipping from a pothos.
 
Remove the bag after a week and care for it like a normal pothos.
 

Common Mistakes When You Take a Clipping from a Pothos

Avoid these common errors to make sure your clipping from a pothos thrives.
 
Learning what not to do is just as important as the correct steps.
 

1. Cutting Without a Node

The most common mistake when you take a clipping from a pothos is cutting a stem with no node.
 
Without a node, no roots will form and the cutting will eventually die.
 
Always check for at least one node before you take a clipping from a pothos.
 
This one detail determines whether your propagation succeeds or fails.
 

2. Using a Cutting That’s Too Short

If you take a clipping from a pothos that is too short, it may not have enough energy.
 
Aim for a clipping that is at least four to six inches long for best results.
 
This gives the cutting enough stem and leaf surface to support new root growth.
 
Longer cuttings have more stored energy to draw from during rooting.
 

3. Letting the Cutting Dry Out

Once you take a clipping from a pothos, get it into water or soil quickly.
 
If the cut end dries out, the plant cells die and rooting becomes difficult.
 
Have your jar or pot ready before you take a clipping from a pothos.
 
This way you can transfer the cutting immediately after making the cut.
 

4. Placing in Direct Sunlight

After you take a clipping from a pothos, avoid putting it in direct sunlight.
 
Bright indirect light is best for rooting your new plant cutting.
 
Direct sun can stress the cutting and cause leaf burn very quickly.
 
A spot near a window with filtered light is perfect for your clipping.
 

When to Take a Clipping from a Pothos

Timing matters when you want to take a clipping from a pothos.
 
Choosing the right time increases your success rate significantly.
 

Spring and Summer Are Best

The best time to take a clipping from a pothos is during the active growing season.
 
Spring and summer give you the highest success rate for your cuttings.
 
The plant is full of energy and roots will form quickly during these months.
 
You can take a clipping from a pothos in fall or winter, but growth will be slower.
 
If you take a clipping from a pothos in cooler months, be patient with development.
 
Roots may take twice as long to appear during the dormant season.
 

When the Plant Is Overgrown

Another good time to take a clipping from a pothos is when the plant is overgrown.
 
Instead of throwing away the trimmed vines, you can take clippings from a pothos.
 
This is a great way to keep your pothos bushy while creating more plants.
 
Every time you prune your pothos, you have an opportunity to propagate.
 
Never waste a good trimming when you can take a clipping from a pothos.
 

So, How to Take a Clipping from a Pothos?

Taking a clipping from a pothos is as simple as choosing a healthy vine, cutting below a node, and providing the right conditions for rooting.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to take a clipping from a pothos, now you have a clear step-by-step process.
 
You can take a clipping from a pothos and root it in water or soil with equal success.
 
Just remember to include a node, use clean tools, and give your cutting bright indirect light.
 
With a little patience, your clipping from a pothos will grow into a full beautiful vine.
 
Happy propagating.