---
title: "Help! I’ve done many water propagations before but I feel like they…"
description: "Help! I’ve done many water propagations before but I feel like they always get root rot instantly. I had only gave this pothos a good soaking once and the long…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/64aa327510d41be1a61eb9ee"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Veronica"
published: "2023-07-09T04:07:17.73Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/zSTHvT2BYiI5PQMensuXCtQNCknygokKrGR61O1yu8k/ebad202e36c34cbd98bbac6fcedb2e72.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help! I’ve done many water propagations before but I feel like they…

_Posted by Veronica on 2023-07-09_

Help! I’ve done many water propagations before but I feel like they always get root rot instantly. I had only gave this pothos a good soaking once and the long roots that grew in water were all mushy and fell off. The same happened with a silver inch plant prop.  
I recently decided to finally do a propagation of my pink princess philodendron, which grew good roots in water, but I’m afraid it will do the same thing. This time I made my own soil mix with miracle gro all purpose + added perlite and orchid bark. I’m hoping it grows well from propagating, but any tips are welcome to avoid root rot!  
Should I use something other than soil to get it acclimated to soil?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/zSTHvT2BYiI5PQMensuXCtQNCknygokKrGR61O1yu8k/ebad202e36c34cbd98bbac6fcedb2e72.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Zan~ Anxious Planter commented on 2023-07-09

Have a middle process that’s like lecca or something similar then do soil

### Eliya commented on 2023-07-09

Perlite or Fluval aquarium substrate work well

### Danika commented on 2023-07-09

Since its already used to water with water roots, transition to Pon or Leca semi-hydro. Or Fluval Stratum.

If you do opt for soil, def use a lot of aeration in mix like perlite and bark, and also keep your pot size very small until roots fill out that tiny pot.

### whelf commented on 2023-07-09

Do your pots have drainage holes? And are they propped up to let air around the bottom drainage hole? Sometimes if my catch pots are too tight it can lead to rot bc the water doesn’t have space to evaporate

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