Can Pothos Live in Water Forever?
Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, is a popular houseplant with a reputation for being both hardy and low-maintenance. It is often rooted in water, rather than soil, and can thrive for years this way, as long as the plant has enough light and fresh water to absorb. However, some plant enthusiasts wonder if it’s possible to keep a pothos in water forever, and the answer is yes. In fact, pothos will often grow even faster in water than in soil.
The key to keeping pothos in water is regularly changing the water and providing a healthy environment. According to Garden for Indoor, this means cleaning the container it is growing in every couple of weeks (and possibly adding fertilizer to prevent algae growth). In addition, it is important to keep the plants out of direct sunlight and away from drafts. Finally, it is a good idea to use filtered water or rainwater, as these are less likely to contain the minerals that can damage a pothos’s roots.
To root a pothos in water, the first step is to select a healthy mother plant and remove a few leaves from it. The cuttings should be at least three inches long and taken just below where they start to branch out from the main stem. Make sure to leave one leaf at the top, as this will help to keep the cutting moist and act as an indicator that it is alive. It is also a good idea to rinse the roots of the cutting before placing them in a glass of water. This will ensure that any soil particles don’t make it into the new water home, where they can cause problems.
After a few days, the cutting should begin to develop roots. At this point, the plant is ready to be transplanted into a larger pot with potting soil. Once the roots are fully established in the soil, it is a good idea to move the pothos out of indirect sunlight and into brighter, more natural light. This will help the plant to get used to its new environment and will stimulate root growth.
When transplanting a pothos from water to soil, it is important to take special care to ensure that the plant isn’t overwatered or oversaturated with salt. It is also a good idea to add a drop of hydrogen peroxide to the water before transplanting to help clean the roots and prevent any contamination from the previous growing medium.
In addition to this, it is a good idea to choose a large container for the pothos, as the plant will need ample room to grow. Lastly, it is important to remember that pothos can still breathe through their leaves, so it is important that the plant has a chance to be exposed to air. This can be accomplished by removing the plant from the water once it has reached a few inches of root growth. Then, it can be moved to the appropriate container in your home and provided with a nutrient-rich potting soil that it will love.
