Pothos is not only one of the most popular houseplants, it's also one of the easiest to maintain and propagate. To give this plant a haircut and share its green bounty with loved ones, there are two methods to propagate it: in water and in soil.

Mary Jane Duford, gardening expert and founder of the gardening blog Home for the Harvest, shares her best propagation tips, including how to troubleshoot any problems so you can successfully grow bundles of new pothos.

Pothos are most successfully propagated in the spring or summer. Brendan Maher/Getty Images

To successfully propagate pothos, Duford recommends choosing a healthy mother plant that has been grown in nutrient-rich soil and watered consistently. This mother plant should also be growing vigorously and free of any pests and plant diseases. Pausing fertilization for a week or two before taking cuttings will allow for a clean slate for new cuttings.

Duford also suggests propagating during pothos' most actively growing season, which is in the spring and summer, when days are longest and provide ample light for photosynthesis. 

"During these seasons, the stems of the plant are actively growing buds already, meaning that the cutting has the energy to focus on growing new roots," says Duford.

Quick tip: Since pothos plants are natural climbers, Duford recommends adding a small moss pole if the cutting will eventually be potted and prefer a non-hanging look for your pothos.

Take a cutting that is 2 to 5 inches long. Wachirawit Iemlerkchai/Getty Images

The most common method to propagate pothos is in water. Small glass vases, jars, and test tubes are frequently used as vessels to propagate a pothos cutting, usually sat on a sunny windowsill for adequate light exposure and space for the plant to vine or trail.

Duford recommends first disinfecting a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears in a diluted bleach or alcohol solution, allowing it to dry for a couple of minutes before using. Then, choose a glass vessel — the longer the better to give roots room to grow — and add fresh water to fill it up at about 60 percent.

"Look for young stems/vines with healthy tips," says Duford. "It's common to choose three to five stems for each new planter that will be potted up later, as multiple stems are generally potted up together." Duford suggests taking a cutting between 2 and 5 inches, depending on the size of the mother plant.

While gently holding the main vine, cut just below a node at a 45-degree angle. The node is the spot where a stem is growing from the vine. Once you have the cuttings you want to propagate, place them on a clean cloth or paper towel. 

"Dip the ends of your pothos cuttings in rooting hormone before placing each in a container of clean water," says Duford. While this step is optional, Duford recommends it to those new to propagating houseplants.  

"You can place each stem in its own container or group a half dozen stems in a larger container, as long as the cuttings are not crowded and air circulation is good," says Duford. To monitor root growth, choose a glass vessel that is see-through.

"Cuttings tend to root best when the leaves receive filtered sunlight or artificial light that's not too close to the cuttings," says Duford. "Keep the growing pothos cuttings out of direct sunlight and at least a foot or two away from plant lights to avoid foliage burn."

Duford suggests changing out the water and looking for signs of root development over the next two to four weeks. "Remove and dispose of any cuttings that look unhealthy, as in yellow or mushy," says Duford. 

Fortunately, pothos can live and thrive in water, so keeping the new plant in its glass jar is fine as long as the water is changed frequently and liquid fertilizer is added in the spring and summer.

To pot a new pothos, Duford suggests taking about three rooted cuttings for a 4-inch wide pot, or five cuttings for a 6-inch wide pot, using indoor houseplant potting mix, and watering once every seven to ten days. 

Quick tip: As you're propagating, take the time to clean up your mother plant. If there is a piece of stem without leaves left on the mother plant after you've taken a cutting, snip it off at a 45-degree angle just above the node to keep the mother plant looking tidy while also encouraging new growth.

Be careful not to overwater when propagating pothos in soil. Akchamczuk/Getty Images

While water propagation is the go-to method for growing pothos, soil propagation can be an equally successful method. This method is preferred for those who wish to skip the transfer step from glass vessel to planter pot. However, unlike water propagation, soil propagation does not allow for clear root growth monitoring, and these methods cannot be combined. 

To propagate a pothos cutting in soil, follow steps one through five from the water propagation method. Then, Duford instructs filling the bottom third of a planter pot with indoor houseplant mix, particularly one containing coco coir or perlite which are great for proper drainage.

Then, place the cuttings into the pot, holding them up while carefully filling up the rest of the pot with soil. Make sure to leave about a half-inch space at the top. Water the new plant thoroughly until water comes out of the pot's drainage hole. 

Lastly, place the plant in a location with bright, indirect light and water it every seven to ten days, making sure the soil is kept evenly moist and never soggy.

Propagation via water or soil may not always go exactly as planned, which is why it's important to know how to look for signs of trouble and how to fix and avoid any issues. Understanding the best tips for success will also help keep a consistent care routine and level of accountability. 

Monitoring root growth, changing the water, and liquid fertilizer can allow for successful water propagation, while nutrient-rich soil and consistent moisture can allow for successful soil propagation. Through either method, pothos cuttings can turn into lush houseplants that trail upwards or cascade down in any indoor space.

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