Does Pothos Actually Help Other Plants Propagate? Here's What The Science Says

Plant myths are akin to high school rumor mills; once a theory or idea gets circulating, it's hard to stop it or learn the real truth behind these "facts." For example, there has been a long-standing myth that your leafy friends will clean the air, but as it turns out, houseplants won't actually purify your home's air. The same goes for many other botanical-based theories. Recently, questions have arisen about whether a pothos cutting added to another propagated plant's water can help it sprout roots. While some may claim that it does, an expert opinion is the most reliable way to get to the real information. In an exclusive interview, Paris Lalicata, Head of Plant Education & Community at The Sill, told House Digest, "Based on current research, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that the Pothos releases rooting hormones into water or soil that would promote rooting in other plants."

If you want to propagate plants like a pro, researching the facts is a good place to start. It's important not to assume a tip from the internet — or even word of mouth — is always true. According to Lalicata it is not uncommon for people to hear and learn about theories that may not hold much accuracy. "Plant myths often arise and persist because of anecdotal observations or well-intentioned but misunderstood gardening advice that gets repeated and shared widely," Lalicata explained.

While the pothos propagation theory may be disproven, Paris Lalicata does have tips for ensuring your plants thrive and grow. During her exclusive interview with House Digest, she explained that water propagation is one important technique that can help, rather than rooting them directly in soil. "Cuttings rooting in water typically don't need much assistance beyond providing bright, indirect light and making sure the nodes remain fully submerged," she explained. But if you're insistent on soil propogation, Lalicata also added, "You can try using a rooting hormone ([the] most common available is the powder form) by dipping the cuttings in it before planting. Combined with maintaining high humidity, this can help speed up the rooting process." Even though there are many houseplants you can propagate or grow in water, they may all have different needs, so research your species when choosing a technique.

Lalicata reassured readers that believing various plant myths and theories isn't abnormal or even bad, but researching those tips and tricks can make all the difference on your growing methods. People enjoy sharing ideas and sometimes these simply get out of hand, or like a game of telephone, the factual tips change into a more obscure hack that only holds a grain of truth. However, despite this, Lalicata promotes trying new things with a grain of salt. "I always encourage curiosity and experimentation, but I think it's important to keep expectations realistic by sharing information that is proven in horticultural science," she advises.