Have you ever wondered why your pothos cuttings are rotting? There are many reasons for this, and we’ll list them all here. We also have 5 solutions to help you save your pothos from rotting.
If you want to propagate your pothos correctly, then read this entire article and try to apply the instructions provided in the following paragraphs. So let’s see why your pothos cuttings are rotting and how to avoid this issue by taking a few simple steps.
Table of Contents
Why Are My Pothos Cuttings Rotting?
Pothos cuttings start rotting when roots get too wet and decay due to bacteria growth. This can also happen if your plant sits on cold surfaces like tile floors. In fact, hard surfaces could cause your pothos to stay wet longer than necessary during watering cycles.
Another reason why pothos cuttings might be rotting is if they aren’t getting enough light exposure each day – especially direct sunlight through windows or skylights were possible! While these plants do very well in low light conditions indoors, without sufficient lighting, they won’t produce new growth properly, nor will their leaves remain healthy.
The best way to avoid root rot is by allowing the soil to dry out between waterings (but not entirely) and using a pot with suitable drainage holes so excess water can drain away from the roots quickly after watering.
For more details about why pothos propagation may fail, check the following video:
Click Here to Read our full Case Study on how Pothos can Help Other Plants Root
What Causes Pothos Cuttings to Rot?
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to propagate and grow. It’s also an excellent plant for those with brown thumbs because it thrives in low-light conditions, tolerates neglect well, and rarely needs repotting. However, there are some reasons why your pothos cuttings might be rotting. Here are the most common factors that may cause your pothos’s cutting to rot.
- Cuttings are too long: When propagating a pothos, it’s essential to cut the stem correctly. If you cut the stem too long, the cutting will have difficulty getting enough water and nutrients from the soil. This can cause the cutting to rot quickly.
- Cuttings are not dried out: Before taking a cut, it’s essential to ensure the stem is dry. If you don’t dry the cutting, it will rot quickly once it’s in water.
- Your cutting does not have enough nods: A cutting needs at least two nods (the point where the leaves attach to the stem) to root correctly. If your cutting doesn’t have enough nods, it will rot quickly.
- The water is too cold: When propagating pothos, it’s essential to use room-temperature water. If the water is too hard, it will slow down the rooting process and cause rot in your pothos.
- You made the cutting from an unhealthy plant or vine: If you take your cutting from a sick plant or vine, it will have the same disease. The chances of your cutting rooting are much better if you take it from a healthy plant.
- There was too much heat during the rooting process: Keep the cutting warm when you propagate your pothos. If you let the pothos cuttings get too cold, they may start to rot before rooting at all.
- You are exposing your cutting to direct sunlight: When propagating a pothos, it’s essential to keep the cutting out of direct sunlight. If you expose your cutting to direct sunlight, it will dry out, and the cutting may rot.
- You are not providing enough humidity: When propagating a pothos, you must ensure high humidity. If you don’t provide enough moisture, your pothos cuttings will rot before rooting completely.
- You are trying to propagate your pothos in wintertime: Rooting a pothos in wintertime can be difficult because the humidity is usually low. The cutting may rot before rooting if you try to propagate your pothos during wintertime.
- You are using unhealthy soil: When propagating a pothos, you must use a healthy soil mix. If you use unhealthy soil, the cutting will rot quickly.
If you found our content helpful, try to read our latest article on how to Identify root-bound pothos.
What to Do if My Pothos Cutting Are Not Growing Correctly?
If your pothos cuttings are not growing correctly, it may be due to one of the reasons listed above. However, there are some solutions that you can try to help your cutting root correctly. Here are five solutions that will help you save your pothos from rotting.
Solution #1 – Make sure the water is room-temperature: When propagating a pothos, use room-temperature water. If the water is too cold, it will slow down the rooting process and cause rot in your pothos.
Solution # – Cut the stem at an angle: When propagating a pothos, it’s essential to cut the stem at an angle. If you cut the stem too long, the cutting will have difficulty getting enough water and nutrients from the soil.
Solution #3 – Don’t water if the soil is not dry: If you are propagating a pothos, it’s important not to water if the soil is still damp. If you water the cutting while the soil is still not dry, it will rot.
Solution #4 – Choose the appropriate soil mix: When propagating a pothos, you need to use a healthy soil mix. If you use unhealthy soil, the cutting will rot no matter how good your cuttings are.
Solution #5 – Fight bugs regularly using the right products: If you are propagating pothos, it’s essential to ensure the cutting is free from bugs. If there are any bugs on the cutting, they feed on it and cause rot. To have more control over bugs, you can use natural or chemical products.
Is Pothos Bird Safe? Find Out Now!
Is It Better to Propagate Pothos in Water or Soil?
Many wonder whether it’s better to propagate pothos in water or soil. When propagating pothos, you will get the best results using water and soil together. After cutting the roots correctly, you can transplant it into another pot filled with standard houseplant potting mix after rooting for about three weeks.
The most challenging task in propagating pothos is the transfer of the cutting into the soil after rooting. Here are five simple steps that will help you successfully transplant your pothos from water to soil:
- Step#1: Take out the plant carefully with its roots still submerged in water and place it on paper towels. Spread out the leaves, so they do not touch each other.
- Step#2: Let the plant dry for a few hours before planting it in the soil.
- Step#3: Fill a pot with standard houseplant potting mix and make a small hole in the center.
- Step#4: Gently remove the pothos from the water and place them in the hole you dug.
- Step#5: Firm the soil around the plant and water it thoroughly.
Wondering about using coffee grounds for pothos? Click here to learn more about this.
How Can I Propagate My Pothos Cuttings Directly in Soil?
When propagating pothos, you can plant the cutting directly into the soil. The rooting process may take longer when planting your cuttings in soil, but it’s an easy and safe method for most people who don’t have experience with propagation techniques.
There are several ways of rooting pothos cuttings in soil. One popular method is to use a rooting hormone powder to help the cutting root correctly. You can also place your cutting in a glass of water and wait for the roots to grow before planting it into the soil.
When propagating pothos in soil, you must ensure that the potting mix is moist and well-drained. If the potting mix is too wet, it will cause rot in your pothos cutting.
Can You Plant Different Pothos Variants Together? Here is the answer.
Conclusion
When propagating pothos, it’s essential to use the proper techniques to get the best results. Following the suggested solutions, you can expect the rooting process to succeed. If these techniques are insufficient for some reason or if your pothos cutting starts rotting after planting it into the soil, make sure that you bring in an expert immediately.
Can Pothos Grow While Fully Submerged In Water? Click here to find out the answer.
