Do pothos cuttings need sunlight to root?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Cuttings of pothos require bright, indirect light in order to root efficiently. Direct sunlight burns fragile stems, while too low light will rot the cutting. I rooted dozens of cuttings on my east-facing sill where they received six hours of filtered morning light and had established roots in 12 days. Finding the balance is everything.
Ideal Conditions
- 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight daily
- 65-75°F (18-24°C) ambient temperature
- 40-60% humidity to prevent drying
Low Light Risks
- Slowed root growth below 50 foot-candles
- Increased risk of stem rot in stagnant water
- Leggy stems stretching for light sources
If you don't have a sunny window, grow lights can work wonders! My setup is a strip of LED lights, and it produced roots similar to commonly planted house plants getting natural light. Place light bulbs 12-18 inches above your cuttings and leave them on for 8 hours. Don't keep them on 24/7. Roots need a break from lights to process their nutrient intake throughout the day.
Signs of Light Stress
- Yellowing leaves: Reduce intensity or duration
- Bleached spots: Block direct sun immediately
- Twisted stems: Rotate cuttings for even exposure
Artificial Light Setup
- Use full-spectrum LEDs at 2000-3000 lux
- Timer settings: 16 hours on, 8 hours off
- Adjust height monthly as roots establish
Patience pays off for propagators. My most neglected experiment, a cutting in a north-facing bathroom, took 28 days to root. While that is very slow, I learned that Pothos is quite adaptable! You should check the clarity of the water and rotate the jars every week. When the light, temperature, and other details are all right, you will see healthy white roots growing. Your patience and care will be tested, but the results are what you've always dreamed your green thumb could accomplish.
Read the full article: How to Propagate Pothos in 3 Simple Steps
