A common houseplant known by alternate names such as pothos, golden pothos and variegated philodendron, devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum) grows best in a hanging basket where the trailing stems and bright green leaves cascade over the sides of the container. A favorite of beginners and experts alike, devil's ivy grows outdoors in the frost-free climates of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. Propagate a new devil's ivy plant by planting a stem cutting in spring.
Fill a 3-inch planting container about three-quarters full with a potting mixture consisting of half peat moss and half perlite or clean sand. Add water until the mixture is evenly moist but not dripping. Be sure the planting container has a drainage hole in the bottom.
Cut 3- to 5-inch stems with at least three or four healthy leaves. Use a sharp knife to make the cut just below a node, which is a small protrusion on the stem. Pull the leaves from the bottom half of the stem.
Poke a hole in the potting mixture with a nail, pencil or similar object. Dip the bottom of the stem in powdered rooting hormone and plant the stem in the hole. Up to three stems will fit in the container, but be sure the leaves don't overlap.
Pat the soil lightly so the cuttings stand upright. Put the pot in bright light but away from hot, direct sunlight. Water as needed to keep the potting mixture slightly moist. Don't overwater, as soggy, wet conditions will rot the stems.
Watch for new growth to appear in about a month, which indicates the devil's ivy has rooted. Transplant the plant into a planting container filled with a good quality commercial potting soil.
Things You Will Need
- 3-inch container
- Peat moss
- Perlite or clean sand
- Sharp knife
- Nail or pencil
- Powdered rooting hormone
- Potting mixture
- Devil's ivy roots easily with little assistance. However, you can place the plant in a plastic bag if you want to create a warm, humid environment that keeps the potting mixture moist for several weeks. Insert plastic straws or small sticks to keep the plastic from resting on the leaves. Remove the plastic as soon as the plant displays new growth.
- You can also propagate devil's ivy by rooting the stem in a glass of water. Plant the rooted stem in a container filled with moist potting mixture when the roots are 2 or 3 inches long.
- Grow devil's ivy in a hanging basket away from pets and children, as the plant is toxic, causing severe mouth pain. The plant can also cause minor skin irritation.
- University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension: Pothos
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Epipremnum Aureum, Golden Pothos
- North Dakota State University Extension Service: Starting New Plants
- Jacksonville.com: Gardening: Pothos is an Easy Plant to Propagate
- North Carolina State University Extension: Epipremnum Aureum
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