Question
How should I trim my Pothos Ivy to start new ones?  Where and how should I cut?  My ivies are long (4-5 feet) in length.  Some of the older runners are losing their leaves.  Will these root if I cut them? How and when do I transfer my rooted plant from the water to soil? (Can you tell I am a beginner).  I just don't want my current plants to outgrow their pots and not take advantage of their potential. Thanks. Jennifer

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

For a beginner, you have excellent questions!

Pothos do benefit from regular pruning. When the stems or vines are allowed to get too long, the plant will sacrifice the older leaves so that it can continue to produce new leaves at the ends of each vine. Have you noticed that new leaves always comes in at the ENDS of the vines, never further back?

A stem that has gotten long and started to lose older leaves should be cut off about 2 - 4 inches from the soil. I know that sounds extreme to you, but that is the way to do it. New growth will now emerge on the stem just below where you made the pruning cut. In other words, new leaves will come in close to the soil and pot and grow longer from there. This will keep your Pothos full and compact and you will never have to repot it.

The sections of vines that you prune off can be cut into smaller sections with two or three leaves on each one. These sections can then be placed together in a glass of water where they will develop roots. The roots will emerge from the nodes or bumps on the stems where the leaves are attached to the stems. So be sure to keep one node on each stem cutting under water at all times. Change the water weekly. Within a few weeks you should see the roots starting to grow. When the roots are at least an inch long, then the rooted cuttings can be moved together into a very small pot filled with a soillesss, peat-based potting mix, such as pro-Mix. In about 6 months you will have a new, small plant!

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

If this information has been helpful, please remember to give me a rating and nomination.