You don’t buy money plants in India. You get cuttings from your neighbours, friends, mausi’s best friend’s daughter, or steal one from your office bathroom (no judgment).
Welcome to the ultimate pothos propagation party — desi edition. 🌿
Whether you’re trying to add more green to your balcony, save money on gifting, or just love a good science experiment, propagating pothos (also known as Epipremnum aureum, money plant, or devil’s ivy) is the easiest way to multiply your indoor jungle.
This guide is full of easy steps, quirky tips, and desi jugaad to help you master propagation — all while sounding like the plant parent you didn’t know you were destined to be.
🌱 Quick Lowdown: What is Pothos?
- Scientific name: Epipremnum aureum
- AKA: Money plant, Devil’s Ivy, “that thing in the green bottle”
- Native to: South Pacific, but now basically a resident of every Indian household
- Varieties: Golden, Marble Queen, Neon, Silver Satin, Pearls & Jade
- Superpowers:
- Grows fast, even in low light
- Survives on neglect (ideal if you’re forgetful)
- Air purifying (NASA said it, not us)
- Allegedly brings money and good vibes (your mom said it, definitely us)
✂️ Tools You’ll Need (or Borrow)
Don’t worry — you don’t need to raid a fancy gardening store. Here’s what you probably already have:
- Kitchen scissors (clean them first, please)
- Glass jars (reuse your chai ka dabba or an old Horlicks bottle)
- Water (RO, tap, rain — just no acid rain, please)
- Potting mix (or make your own: soil + cocopeat + compost)
- Optional: rooting hormone (or skip and say a prayer)
- An old spoon or pencil to make holes in the soil
- Pots or plastic dabbas with drainage
🌞 When’s the Best Time to Propagate?
Propagate in spring or early monsoon when the plant’s in a good mood and not throwing tantrums like in peak Delhi summer or gloomy winter.
Avoid:
- Winter (pothos goes into Netflix-and-snooze mode)
- Diwali week (you’ll forget and it’ll dry up)
🧪 5 Easy Ways to Propagate Pothos (Yes, You Have Options!)
1. 💧 Water Propagation (The OG Method)
“If you can make chai, you can root a money plant in water.”
Steps:
- Snip a healthy stem with 2–4 leaves and at least one node.
- Remove the leaf closest to the node.
- Put it in a clear glass with water. Only the node should be underwater.
- Place it near a window (not in the blasting sun).
- Change water every 3–4 days. Say kind things to it.
- In 2–4 weeks, roots appear like magic.
- Once roots are 2–3 inches, move it to soil, or just keep it in water like every Indian dining table centerpiece.
Desi Pro Tip: Use copper vessels or glass bottles. No steel or aluminium — pothos is classy.
2. 🪴 Soil Propagation (For the Ambitious)
“For when you want commitment. Not just situationship in water.”
Steps:
- Same cutting method as above.
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone (optional).
- Plant in moist potting mix.
- Cover with a plastic bag or use an old tiffin box lid to keep humidity in.
- Keep in indirect light and water lightly.
- New growth? You did it!
Indian Hack: Cover pot with a transparent biscuit container — homemade greenhouse!
3. 🧺 Layering (Lazy But Genius)
“Why cut when you can bend?”
Steps:
- Choose a long vine from your pothos plant.
- Gently bend it into another pot filled with moist soil.
- Pin it down at a node using a paperclip or bobby pin.
- Wait for roots to develop while still attached.
- Cut the new plant once it resists tugging.
Bonus: Great way to make one pot into two — no sibling rivalry here.
4. 🧙 Propagating in Sphagnum Moss (For the Wizards)
“Sphagnum moss sounds fancy, but it’s just wet fluff that roots love.”
Steps:
- Soak moss in water for 30 mins.
- Wring it out like your kitchen pocha.
- Wrap the moss around the node of a pothos cutting.
- Secure it in a container or plastic wrap.
- Keep moist, warm, and in bright light.
- Transplant when roots are 2–3 inches.
Too much work? Skip this and do water propagation, honestly.
5. 🧩 Division (For Mature Plants)
“When your pothos has gone full Bollywood family tree.”
Steps:
- Take out your overgrown pothos from its pot.
- Gently separate the root ball — don’t rip it like biryani rice.
- Replant each bunch in its own pot.
- Water, whisper sweet nothings, and done!
🛠️ Aftercare for Your Baby Plants
Your pothos babies are here — now don’t ignore them like unread WhatsApps.
🌞 Light
Bright, indirect light is perfect. They survive in low light too, but the variegation might fade. Don’t sunbathe them — they’re not sunflowers.
💧 Water
- Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
- In humid places (like Mumbai), once a week is fine.
- In dry cities (like Delhi), maybe twice.
🍽️ Fertilizer
- Use liquid NPK (20-20-20) or vermicompost once every 6–8 weeks.
- Or, if you’re lazy: banana peel water or buttermilk once a month.
🐛 Common Pests (and What to Do)
| Pest | Desi Solution |
|---|---|
| Mealybugs | Dab with neem oil + water spray |
| Spider mites | Wipe with wet cloth + neem |
| Aphids | Soap water spray |
| Root rot | Remove soggy roots, replant |
🧠 FAQs: Because Everyone Has Questions
Q: Can I use regular tap water?
Yes, unless your tap water smells like a chemistry lab. Let it sit for 24 hours if it has chlorine.
Q: How long does it take to root in water?
Usually 2–4 weeks. If it’s been 2 months and nothing happened… maybe that cutting was cursed.
Q: Can I just leave it in water forever?
Yes, but change the water weekly. Or else it becomes a swamp monster.
Q: Why are the leaves turning yellow?
Either too much love (overwatering) or too much sun. Chill.
Q: Is pothos toxic to pets?
Yes. Keep it out of reach of furry drama queens.
🎁 Bonus Tip: Pothos as a Gift (aka Emotional Jugaad)
Want to gift someone a money plant cutting in a recycled glass bottle? Instant love, eco-friendliness, and emotional value — zero budget. Add a tag that says, “Grow rich in greenery and life.” 💚
🏁 Final Thoughts: Go Forth and Multiply (Your Plants)
Pothos propagation is not just gardening — it’s therapy, science, jugaad, and joy rolled into one. Whether you’re growing cuttings to fill your window, gift a friend, or just flex on Instagram, you now know all the tricks.
So grab your scissors, save that leftover glass jar, and start your desi pothos propagation journey. Let the leafy empire grow — one node at a time.