Will Pothos Grow Underwater

Pothos will grow underwater, but only in the sense that they can survive submerged for a period of time.

If you’ve ever rooted pothos cuttings in a jar of water, you’ve already seen that pothos can grow underwater roots quite happily.

However, growing a pothos fully underwater long‑term is a different story because the plant still needs air exchange at its leaves to truly thrive.

In this post, we’ll explore why pothos can grow underwater, how to set up an underwater environment, and what limitations you need to consider.

Let’s dive straight in.

 

Why Pothos Can Grow Underwater

The reason pothos can grow underwater comes down to their incredible adaptability as tropical plants.

 

1. Pothos Are Semi‑Aquatic by Nature

In the wild, pothos often grow in swampy, flooded areas where their roots are submerged for extended periods.

This natural trait means that pothos can grow underwater roots that absorb oxygen and nutrients from the water itself.

The plant’s ability to switch between soil roots and water roots is what makes pothos grow underwater possible in the first place.

If you take a cutting and place it in a fish tank, you’ll often see new white roots emerging within a week.

 

2. Water Roots Develop Quickly

When pothos grow underwater, they don’t use the same roots they had in soil.

Instead, they grow specialized water roots that are thinner, more translucent, and designed to take in dissolved oxygen.

These water roots allow pothos to grow underwater for months if the water is clean and well‑oxygenated.

That’s why you’ll often see aquarists using pothos as a natural filter in their aquariums.

 

3. The Leaves Can Survive Submersion—for a While

Will pothos grow underwater with their leaves fully submerged? Yes, the leaves can survive underwater, but they will eventually decline.

Pothos leaves are not adapted to extract carbon dioxide from water the way true aquatic plants do.

So while pothos can grow underwater initially, the leaves will start to yellow or rot after a few weeks if completely submerged.

The plant will keep sending out new leaves, but they’ll often be smaller and less vibrant.

This is why most people who want pothos to grow underwater long‑term keep only the roots submerged and let the stems and leaves trail above the waterline.

 

How to Grow Pothos Underwater Successfully

If you’re determined to try growing pothos underwater, you can definitely make it work with the right setup.

 

1. Start with a Clean Cutting

Take a healthy stem cutting with at least two nodes and remove any leaves that will be fully underwater.

Leaves left submerged will rot and foul the water, which harms the chances for pothos to grow underwater successfully.

Place the cutting in a clear glass or a fish tank filled with dechlorinated water.

 

2. Use an Air Stone or Filter

Since pothos can grow underwater only if the water has enough dissolved oxygen, you need to aerate the water.

An air stone or a small aquarium filter will keep oxygen levels high and prevent stagnation.

This is especially important if you’re attempting to grow pothos underwater with the leaves fully submerged.

Without aeration, the plant will slowly suffocate and rot.

 

3. Provide Bright, Indirect Light

Pothos still need light to photosynthesize, even when growing underwater.

Place your underwater setup near a window that gets bright, indirect light.

Too little light and pothos will grow underwater very slowly and may develop leggy, weak stems.

Too much direct sun can heat the water and encourage algae growth.

 

4. Change the Water Regularly

To keep pothos growing underwater healthy, change the water every week or two.

Stale water loses oxygen and builds up waste products that can harm the plant.

When you change the water, rinse the roots gently to remove any slimy biofilm.

This simple routine can help your pothos grow underwater for several months without major issues.

 

Limitations of Growing Pothos Underwater

Even with the best care, pothos will not grow underwater indefinitely like a true aquatic plant.

 

1. Leaves Cannot Fully Photosynthesize Underwater

Pothos leaves are adapted to air, not water.

Underwater, they struggle to absorb enough carbon dioxide, and the waxy coating on the leaves reduces gas exchange.

So while pothos can grow underwater and produce new leaves, those leaves will be smaller and may eventually die off.

The plant will rely on stored energy rather than efficient photosynthesis.

 

2. Risk of Root Rot Increases Over Time

Ironically, even though pothos can grow underwater roots, prolonged submersion can still lead to root rot.

This happens when organic matter decays in the water, reducing oxygen levels and encouraging harmful bacteria.

If you notice the roots turning brown and mushy, it’s a sign that the conditions are no longer ideal for pothos to grow underwater.

You’ll need to trim the rot and refresh the water immediately.

 

3. Nutrient Deficiencies Develop Quickly

In soil, pothos get a steady supply of nutrients.

When pothos grow underwater, they only have what’s dissolved in the water, which is usually very low.

Without supplementing with a liquid fertilizer (diluted to a quarter strength), the leaves will turn pale and growth will stall.

Even with fertilizer, pothos cannot absorb certain nutrients as efficiently underwater as they can in soil.

 

So, Will Pothos Grow Underwater?

Pothos will grow underwater, but only as a temporary or semi‑submerged arrangement.

The plant can survive with its roots fully submerged and will even sprout new water roots, but the leaves need air to thrive long‑term.

If you want to keep pothos in an aquarium, the best approach is to let only the roots sit in the water while the stems and leaves trail above the surface.

That way, your pothos can grow underwater roots to filter the water while the leaves continue to photosynthesize normally.

So yes, pothos can grow underwater—just not the way a true aquatic plant does, and not forever.