How To Plant Pothos In Water – The Easiest, Fast & Reliable

Plant Pothos In Water

To Plant pothos in water is very easy. With the right precautions, it can live very well in water.

The procedure that I will explain is very simple and does not consist of repotting the Pothos in water but of cutting that will grow and spend the rest of their life in water.

I’ve been following this method for a few years now, and I find it really easy and undemanding even less so than in traditional soil.

Now I’ll tell you why this method works better. Transferring Pothos from soil to water is not the best idea because it has many disadvantages.

Keep reading. Let me explain to you 😉

Should I Transfer Pothos From Soil To Water?

Transferring Pothos from soil to water is not the best idea because it has more disadvantages than advantages. 

 The most suitable way to plant pothos in water is to start from cuttings. However, a plant that has been used for soil may not grow well in water.

The roots grown in the earth (called terrestrial roots ) are adapted to a dry environment and have a different conformation than those of water.

They are usually darker and covered in small root hairs, which, if immersed in water, rot quickly.

They hardly adapt to life in water, and even if some of them manage to do so, the plant will experience enough stress to put its life at risk.

Not surprisingly, one of the most common problems in Pothos care is water stagnation, which causes root rot on yellow and brown leaves.

Fortunately, this does not apply if the plant has aquatic roots, and the best way to make it produce them is by starting from cuttings.

 For a better understanding of why pothos plans become yellow, click here [link]

What Do We Need To Grow Pothos In Water?

 The items required for growing pothos in water are:

  • A glass jar or bottle (transparent or not)
  • A healthy Pothos plant with rather long shoots
  • Tap water (possibly filtered)
  • A pinch of time-release hydroponic fertilizer.
  •  Sharp and sterilize pruning tools

Which Water To Use For Planting Pothos In Water

Planting pothos in an aquarium Requires clean water free from hardness.

Pothos is a very resistant and adaptable plant; to grow it hydroponically, you can use demineralized water, rainwater, or tap water. 

Each of these has easily solvable pros and cons.

Rainwater that has been demineralized and has little to no dissolved elements makes it even more crucial to dilute fertilizer in order to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to flourish.

Furthermore, rainwater should be collected about 15-30 minutes after it starts raining so that it does not contain many impurities that accumulate in the atmosphere, Especially when it hasn’t rained for a while.

Tap water, on the other hand, has the “defect” of having chlorine and calcium and magnesium carbonate, which is also known as limestone.

Limescale does not pose a significant issue for pothos plants, but it is crucial to wait 24 hours after filling them with tap water. 

In this way it disperses the chlorine contained within it.

How To Grow Pothos In Water In 6 Steps

Here’s what you need to do to cure Pothos in water step by step:

Make Cuttings Of Pothos

To obtain Pothos cuttings, it is recommended that a sharp sterilized knife be used to cut the stem so that each cutting has at least one node and one leaf.

 In order to better understand how to cut them, You can find the entire process in this post, ‘How to make Pothos cuttings.. I explain better what nodes and internodes are.

Since we want to grow Pothos in water (and not just root it), it is convenient to cut long cuttings with about 5-6 nodes. 

propagating Pothos In Water

The long cuttings will give the plant more stability, preventing it from tipping over when it gets bigger.

The leaves that grow on the lower nodes must be removed because if they are immersed, they risk rotting.

While you need to keep 1-3 leaves at the apex of the cutting, leaving them out of the water.

Now that we have our cuttings, let’s see how to proceed.

Place The Cuttings In The Vase.

Insert the cuttings into the vase or bottle you intend to keep them in, with 3-4 nodes on the inside and the leaves on the outside.

As we said before, the nodes that we are going to immerse must not have leaves. If they are still there, detach them first.

To have a nice full and vigorous plant (actually several plants), I recommend using at least 4-6 cuttings for each pot, depending on how big it is.

However, you can add more in the future by simply repeating the process.

Fill The Glass Jar With Water.

Fill the container with water until the nodes you intend to root are submerged.

Plant Pothos In Water

You can safely use tap water at room temperature, but I recommend letting it rest for 24 hours so that it disperses the chlorine inside it.

Place The Glass Jar In A Bright Place.

 Place the vase in a bright place, but avoid direct light as direct sun will cause the leaves to fade or burn. 

The risk is that a lot of algae will increase in the water (if a transparent container is used)

Algae are not dangerous, but they can still compete with Pothos in the absorption of some nutrients and are certainly unsightly.

As the plant grows, it begins to absorb more nutrients and automatically limits the proliferation of algae.

Top Up The Water

Over 2-4 weeks, the cuttings will have created roots and will begin to absorb water. Some will inevitably evaporate into the air.

Top up the water as the level drops. There is no need to change it unless the vase is full of algae and you want to clean it for aesthetic reasons.

As I will explain in the paragraph on water quality, changing it is counterproductive because it interferes with the ecosystem created inside the vase.

Fertilize During The Growing Season.

Inevitably, as time passes, Pothos plants will deplete the nutrients in the available water, even if it is topped up.

This can lead to some deficiency symptoms, such as yellow leaves or slow growth.

For this reason, it is important to fertilize the Pothos with a fertilizer suitable for hydroponics.

After trying many, the one I find most comfortable and effective is this slow-release granulated fertilizer. 

Just add a little to the water towards the beginning of spring, and you’re done.

 for a better understanding of how to administer fertilizer to your pothos in water, click here.

How Often To Change Pothos Water

In order to create a stable ecosystem inside the cultivation pot, it is advisable not to change the water unless:

  • There is no unpleasant odor
  • A lot of algae have been created
  • Pothos shows no signs of growing problems
  • Cloudy or cloudy water
clouded propagation water

In most cases, in fact, completely changing the water of the Pothos in hydroponics leads to a temporary growth block. 

For this reason, it is best to top up the vase when the water level drops simply.

How Long Does Pothos Live In Water?

With the right care, a Pothos of any variety can live well in water for over 5-10 years, at least theoretically.

For more information on the variety of pothos plants, click here.

Countless things can happen during all this time, such as problems with the root system, fungal problems with the leaves, or parasitic infestations.

In any case, as long as the environmental and cultural conditions are suitable, the Pothos can live “as long as you want.”

As time passes, very old specimens can lose their vigor, but multiplying the plant by cutting allows you to start over with a new plant if the first one does not recover.

Common Problems In Growing In Water

Let’s briefly see some of the most common problems when growing Pothos in water:

Pothos Have Stunted Growth

The main reasons why Pothos does not grow in water are:

  • It doesn’t get enough light
  • The water is changed too often
  • Nutrient deficiency due to the fact that it is not fertilized

click here For more on the cause of why photos are growing slowly.

Yellowing Leave 

Pothos leaves turn yellow for various reasons, but the main cause in water cultivation is the lack of certain nutrients. 

Like nitrogen, magnesium, sulfur, or iron, giving Pothos a gradual-release fertilizer for hydroponics will easily solve the problem.

While you’re at it, check the roots to make sure they’re healthy, just to be safe.

For more information on when pothos leaves are turning yellow, click here and read more. [Link]

The Root System Rots

Verifying the health of the roots is a simple task while growing in water.

You must remove any that are dark and slimy (rotten), replace the water, and clean the vase’s inside. 

To learn how to repot your pothos, click here.

Is It Better To Grow Pothos In Water Or Soil?

If you want to grow pothos, one of the most common questions is whether you should use soil or water

Depending on your preferences, the surroundings in your house, and the circumstances, you may grow pothos plants in soil or water.

Each approach has pros and downsides of its own. For several reasons, cultivating pothos in water has become more popular.

It is essential to remember that both approaches need consideration of certain elements, including temperature, frequency of watering, and light exposure. 

Successful plant development may be achieved with any strategy as long as you provide your chosen medium the attention it needs.

Some people discover that when planted in good soil, they may grow more vigorously and produce more leaves.

Why do some people think that Pothos plants may thrive only in a container with water rather than really needing to be planted in soil? 

cultivating pothos in water

Pothos in water has a number of advantages. First, it makes it simple to monitor the development and health of the plant’s roots. 

Any interior area may benefit from the striking addition of the transparent glass container displaying the colorful roots.

You may check the health of the roots and quickly make any required alterations by looking at them directly. 

Nutrient absorber: Pothos may absorb nutrients directly from the water when grown in water, which reduces the need for regular soil watering and fertilizer.  

Simple to care for: Pothos requires little maintenance when kept in water. To keep the water clean and nutrient-rich, you just have to replace it often.

Because of this, it’s a great option for novices or anybody wishing to add to their collection quickly.

Ornamental purpose: It might be a lovely addition to your house. In addition to adding a hint of natural beauty, it may spark discussion among visitors.

Pothos may also be used as semi-aquatic plants for interior water features such as fish aquariums. 

Easy for beginners; moreover, growing pothos in water is quite an easy and economical process. 

Cuttings from plants are simply propagated by putting them straight into a container with water in it. 

Because of this, it’s a practical choice for those who lead hectic lives or lack a green thumb.

Note: I should remind you that Growing pothos in water has its benefits, but there are certain things to think about. 

growing our beloved pothos in water lacks access to natural nutrition sources like compost or organic debris, 

pothos plants grown only in water may need more nutrients than those cultivated in soil.

It is excellent for those who struggle to remember to water their plants regularly. It is forgiven.

cultivating potatoes in the soil

Natural growth: A more conventional method that more closely resembles their native home is to grow pothos in soil. 

This technique is extremely helpful for those who like more hands-on gardening and the enjoyment of raising plants the old-fashioned way.

 Get enough nutrients: Pothos is better able to get nutrients from the soil than from water. 

Soil is a greater supply of organic matter and minerals than water, even if water does give certain nutrients.

Stability: Soil delivers a consistent supply of nutrients necessary for healthy growth and a stable environment for root growth. 

When planted in soil, pothos are often more sturdy and less likely to topple over. This is especially crucial for bigger or more established plants.

Moisture Control: Soil is a more effective way to control moisture levels than water alone. It may prevent problems with underwatering or overwatering.

In conclusion,  what I have written, you are the one to decide whether to grow your pothos plant in soil or water,

 the first thing that you should consider during this decision is your own needs and taste, the resources you have access to, and your engagement.. 

Growing pothos in water could be a better choice if you are looking for an easy, fast, and decorative method.

Conclusion 

Growing Pothos in water is a good method to give your home a new look.

Remember to fertilize once a year, top up the water, and dust the leaves now and then.

Keep the leaves out of direct sunlight as it may burn them and cause them to become brown and yellow. 

For more information on pothos, visit this website.

Click here to read the common monstera health issues.

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