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Hello! Short version is: do you use rooting hormone to propagate… | Propagating & Sowing | Planta community

Mads

Hello! Short version is: do you use rooting hormone to propagate pothos in soil? My golden pothos is root-bound in this glass container, growing in water only. She lost some leaves recently, so I want to cut the stems and grow new roots in soil (I’m not a fan of growing in water. The plants never seem to get full). I’m scared to cut and stick in soil and have it fail because this is from a family heirloom plant. I don’t own any rooting hormone currently, and I’ve never tried a DIY rooting hormone. Should I… A. Order rooting hormone powder, & wait to do this until the rooting hormone arrives B. Use a DIY rooting hormone (aloe, honey, cinnamon…) C. Put the cuttings directly in soil Thank you very much for your help!

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10 comments

  1. John3of3

    Hormone powder isn’t always expensive, If you are propagating a pothos plant that has become root-bound in water and you intend to transition it to soil, using rooting hormone can still be beneficial. When a pothos cutting has developed a significant root system in water and is then transferred to soil, the rooting hormone can help stimulate new root growth and aid in the plant's acclimatization to the soil environment. When transitioning a root-bound pothos cutting from water to soil, you can follow these steps: 1. Carefully remove the cutting from the water, taking care not to damage the roots. 2. Gently rinse the roots to remove any remaining water and to help them adjust to the soil environment. 3. Dip the roots of the cutting into the rooting hormone to encourage new root growth in the soil. 4. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the roots are adequately covered with soil. 5. Water the soil thoroughly and place the pot in an area with indirect light. Using rooting hormone in this scenario can help promote the development of new roots in the soil, which is particularly beneficial when transitioning a plant from a water environment to a soil environment. However, it's important to ensure that the plant receives proper care and attention after the transition to soil, including appropriate watering and light conditions, to support its successful establishment in its new growing medium.

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    • Mads

      Thank you John! My original plan was to transfer the whole plant to soil, but I couldn’t get the roots out of the glass. I tried to pry them out, but I couldn’t extract them without damaging them. That’s why I plan to cut the stems and start new roots.

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    • Maison Mauve Plants

      That was a thorough, yet succinct, explanation of what to do. Thank you! You answered so many questions for me!

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  2. FabulousFern

    I use rooting hormone from Walmart (brand garden safe) but soak the cuttings first for a week or so before dipping in the hormone & planting (I change water every day). Photo is from cuttings I took last year using this method. I am experimenting now with skipping the soaking and planting directly into a saturated peat moss & hormone mixture. I'm going to check it in two weeks to see if I have root growth.

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    • Mads

      Looks like a healthy new plant!

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  3. juju

    No need! I just leave my cuttings is water for a few days/weeks until til they have strong roots formed then you can pot them in soil and it usually works well

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  4. juju

    Dont put the cuttings directly in soil, let them root in water first :) then they are strong enough to be potted. Fertilizing at this stage might burn the cuttings. Wait until they have bigger roots coming out of them

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