The tropical vine plant, Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) has green and silver leaves. It’s also known as the silver vine and thrives in filtered light. They’re easy to grow and propagate, making them a favorite houseplant.
Propagating Satin Pothos is as easy as taking a cutting and placing it in a glass of water. I’ve propagated so many pothos for myself and given them away to friends. I can’t resist always having a few cuttings on my countertop.
As soon as the roots start forming, I repot them and I have another pothos plant. There are several methods for Satin Pothos propagation. You can propagate Satin Pothos in water or grow the cuttings in soil – it’s completely up to you.
Read more about which method is the most successful for rooting Satin Pothos.
Table of Contents
How do you propagate Satin Pothos?
An excellent rooting method for Satin Pothos propagation is taking stem or node cuttings from an adult pothos. Place the stem cutting in a glass vase or jar, so you can monitor the progress of the growing roots. Once a clump of healthy roots is visible, plant the pothos in a pot of well-drained potting soil.
For the quickest rooting results, the best time to propagate a Satin Pothos is during the spring or summer. This is because the daylight lasts longer than in the winter. A pothos cutting needs lots of indirect light to grow new roots.
If it’s winter, and you really want to get started rooting your pothos, you can place a grow light above the cuttings. This provides additional light for propagation.
You’ll need a few things to for propagating Satin Pothos in water.
- Healthy Satin Pothos plant
- Sharp, sanitized plant shears, scissors or a razor
- Glass jar or vase big enough for roots to grow
- Bottled water or rainwater (no fluoride or chlorine)
- Garden gloves
Once you have your supplies, follow these eight steps for propagating Satin Pothos. Make sure you wear garden gloves before beginning this process, as the pothos has white sap in it that can irritate your skin and, if ingested, can make you ill:
- Select your first cutting from a healthy Satin Pothos plant.
- Measure it against the glass jar you chose for the cutting.
- Find a healthy node and cut just below it.
- Half fill your jar with bottled water or rainwater.
- Place the Satin Pothos cutting in the jar
- Leave it undisturbed in indirect light on your propagation shelf.
- Repeat this process with any other pothos cuttings.
- Add more water to the jars and vases when necessary.
After a couple of weeks, your cuttings will sprout roots. When this happens, you can transfer them to pots filled with appropriate potting soil.
How do you take cuttings of Satin Pothos?
You take cuttings of Satin Pothos by locating a node at the base of a stem or vine. Take your plant shears and cut about one-eighth inch below the node. The node is the small bump on a plant’s stem which produces new growth and is needed for propagation.
You don’t want the cuttings to be too long. Any cutting longer than 6 inches will struggle to develop roots.
It’s a good idea to take cuttings from your Satin Pothos if it’s becoming too big and leggy. Trimming off a few cuttings for propagation keeps your current plant healthy. Pruning helps your Satin Pothos grow fuller.
It’s also a great way to increase your plant display or share your rooted plants with friends.
Find out more: 6 Simple Steps to Prune Your Pothos (Ultimate Guide)
Where do you cut Satin Pothos for propagation?
If you’re propagating your Satin Pothos from a node, locate one at the base of a stem or vine. This is where the leaf and stem meet. The node looks like a brown nub protruding from the pothos, and where the new roots will grow.
Use your shears or razor to cut right below the nub. It’s best to select one that has one or two leaves growing on the stem growing from the nub.
If there are any leaves below the nub that will be in the water, remove them. The leaves will rot in the water, and they could suffocate the new roots.
Related: 10 Causes of Silver Pothos Leaves Curling (and How to Fix It)
Can Satin Pothos be propagated in water?
Yes, you can propagate Satin Pothos in water. In fact, this is the most common and successful way to propagate pothos. When you propagate Satin Pothos in water, they’ll start growing roots within two weeks. Most of the time, they’re ready to move to a pot with soil in 4 to 6 weeks.
Growing Satin Pothos in water not only gives you new plants, but the root cuttings also make attractive displays. You can create a water garden of Satin Pothos using different-sized glass jars and vases.
Place them on a shelf or side table designated for propagating cuttings. When you’re propagating pothos in water and are ready to transplant it to soil or a pot, add some more cuttings in water to your water garden.
Can Satin Pothos live in water forever?
The answer is yes, Satin Pothos can live in water forever. When you place your cuttings in water for propagation, you can choose to leave them in water permanently. Pothos grown in water also need liquid fertilizer to get the nutrients they usually get from the soil.
If you decide to continue to grow your Satin Pothos in water, make sure you change the water every two weeks to prevent bacteria growth and add liquid fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks. I recommend the Triple 10 All Purpose Liquid Fertilizer (check the latest price here).
You should also make sure to read the fertilizer label to get the right dosage for your pothos. In addition, if you notice green algae growing in the glass jar or vase, remove your Satin Pothos and place it in a clean, sanitary glass jar. Clean the algae from the jar and sanitize it for future use.
Keep your pothos healthy by trimming back the roots after about one year. This is a great trick for making your pothos fuller and new roots will continue to grow.
Can you move Satin Pothos from soil into water?
Yes, you can transfer a Satin Pothos you have growing in soil into a water container. Carefully remove the pothos from the soil and gently clean the soil off the roots. Rinse them in bottled water or water that’s been allowed to sit for 24 hours.
Once the roots are clean, place the Satin Pothos in a jar of water. Now, you can add it to your water garden collection.
Related: 6 Simple Steps to Grow Pothos in Water Successfully
Will Satin Pothos cuttings root in soil?
Yes, Satin Pothos cuttings do root in soil. In particular, the cuttings root well in organic soil mixed with a medium like peat, or in calcined clay. Adding perlite and vermiculite to the soil helps with drainage, and creates good air circulation for the roots.
Never overwater your Satin Pothos cuttings when propagating them in soil as pothos plants need drainage to survive.
Follow these eight steps for Satin Pothos propagation in soil using a rooting bag:
- Use plant shears to cut the pothos right under the node.
- Take off the lowest pair of pothos leaves.
- Place the cutting into a damp, sterile potting mix.
- Once you have the cutting securely in the soil, bend a coat hanger or heavy-gauge wire into a ‘U’ shape.
- Stick the hanger into the pot near opposite sides.
- Place a clear plastic bag over the hanger. The bag should enclose the cutting and pot.
- Move the pot and rooting bag into a warm spot out of direct sunlight.
- Keep the bag closed for 4 to 6 weeks, or until the Satin Pothos roots.
This method also works for rooting pieces of the stem or vine. Select a stem that’s about 2 to 3 inches long with one or two leaves attached.
The bottom of the stem will root when it’s in the soil. If you dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, it jump-starts root growth.
You can plant several cuttings in one pot. Don’t be tempted to add more water to the Satin Pothos cutting. The root bag holds in the humidity that your Satin pothos loves like a miniature greenhouse. If you overwater, it could cause your baby cuttings to develop root rot.
How long does a Satin Pothos take to propagate?
When propagating a Satin Pothos in water, the roots begin forming in 1 to 2 weeks and should be rooted by four weeks. If you’re rooting in soil, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the cuttings to root.
Once the roots on your Satin Pothos cutting reach 2 to 4 inches long, you can transfer them to a pot. Most likely, your cutting already has new leaves growing.
Why is my Satin Pothos cutting not growing?
There are several reasons why a Satin Pothos cutting doesn’t grow. The most common problems are low temperature, low humidity, sunlight exposure, low light, decaying roots, lack of air circulation, fungal problems, and bacterial infections. As long as you place your Satin Pothos cutting in a warm spot with indirect lighting, it shouldn’t have any of these problems.
Also, remember to change the water to prevent bacteria and root rot in your pothos. If any algae starts to appear, you know it’s time for fresh water.
Do you think that too much or too little light may be the issue? If so, take a look at our article on your pothos’ light needs here.
How do you make Satin Pothos grow faster?
You can make Satin Pothos grow faster by providing it with the right growing requirements. Make sure it has the right amount of indirect light. Too much light can scorch pothos leaves. Also, check the temperature in the room where you have the pothos.
They need 65 °F (18 °C) to 85 °F (29 °C) to thrive. Also, keep the humidity levels at 40 to 60%.
Another thing you can do to help your Satin Pothos grow faster is to keep it out of drafts. Pothos like consistently warm temperatures.
Hot, dry areas are also detrimental to the growth of Satin Pothos. Keep them away from fireplaces and heaters. Also, heat rises, so if you have a hanging pothos plant in a hanging basket, check the soil often because it could dry out quicker than plants that are on tables.
Dust can also prevent your pothos from thriving. Clean your Satin Pothos regularly by wiping the leaves with a soft, damp cloth. Dust suffocates your plants.
It’s normal for Satin Pothos growth to slow down in the winter. This is the dormant season. Your pothos will perk up again as the seasons change.
Final thoughts on Satin Pothos propagation
Where you choose to go with Satin pothos propagation in water or soil, it’s an incredibly easy thing to do – and you get a brand new plant out of it!
I personally like to grow Satin pothos in water when it’s this young, as you can watch as the roots start to form. This is mainly because it’s very satisfying to know you’re doing things right and is, clearly, not an option when you propagate your Satin pothos in soil.
As long as you prune the cutting in the right place (don’t forget the node!), add some liquid fertilizer to the water and then keep an eye on the water to make sure it stays fresh, you’re almost guaranteed to succeed at propagating your Satin pothos.
Much like caring for your pothos, propagating it is just as straightforward and whether you choose to keep the new growth or share it with a friend, you can be satisfied with your efforts at expanding the reach of this beautiful plant!