Propagation is not always 100% successful (this doesnt make you a bad plant parent, you just need to keep practicing! We encourage you to start because its rewarding when it works.
For most plant, propagation is better in soil or potting mix. Some plants, though, can be propagated in water (mostly because they have evolved in an environment that allows it). Aroid plants (Aroids are from the family Araceae and include many common houseplants like aglaonemas, monsteras, philodendrons, pothos and ZZ plants) can be propagated in water. These plants originate from ancestors that lived in swamps, they were able to live in flooding conditions, adapt and still be able to grow for their survival. It's important to keep in mind that they're still land plants and will do best if they're planted in soil long term. Follow these steps and you'll be pro-pagating like a pro in no time!
You'll need: plant to propagate (we recommend Pothos to start trying with), scissors, glass with water (preferably room temperature)
STEP 1
On a mature vine, below the leaf or stem/vine juncture for a tiny brown root node. They're key to propagating pothos. Cut off a couple of inches of healthy stem before the node and include a node or two with the cutting (this is where new roots will come from!)
STEP 2
Remove any leaves too close to the node, especially ones that might end up submerged under water when you put your cutting into your glass container.
STEP 3
Place your plant cutting(s) in your glass container and put it somewhere that receives bright to medium indirect light. Don't place in strong, direct light or super-low light.
STEP 4
This is the most difficult step: be patient! Check root growth from the node on a weekly basis. Add fresh, tepid water when needed. You can replace the water every few days, or simply top off the vessel with fresh water when it’s looking low—as long as there is no murkiness or fungi growing. If the water is murky, we recommend replacing it for the health of the growing root system.
GETTING DOWN & DIRTY
If you’d like to transplant your plant cutting(s) from the glass vessel into a planter with potting mix, we recommend waiting until the root is at least 1 inch long. This should about take 4-6 weeks! Once the roots of the cutting are potted in potting mix, fill that mix with room temperature water and place in bright indirect light. Let potting mix dry out between waterings.
LIVING IN WATER
If you want to keep your plant cutting(s) growing in water indefinitely, its totally possible. A word of warning: the longer your plant cutting sits in water, the worse the plant could fare over time. Why? Water has no nutrients, and can increase the risk for potential fungal infections. You can help to combat this by changing out the water regularly and adding a tiny bit of fertilizer every month or so!