Separating a Pothos Plant to Make a New One

Water your pothos plant thoroughly until water runs freely from the bottom of the pot. Drain away excess water in the saucer and let the plant set for one hour. This ensures the plant is well-hydrated before transplanting and guards against undue stress caused by moisture loss during handling. It also loosens the soil making transplanting more efficient.

Place one hand over the top of the pot so that the stem of the plant slides between the middle and index finger. Rest your palm against the rim of the pot.

Tip the pot to the side, supporting the plant with your hands. Tap the bottom of the pot with your free hand to loosen the soil. Gently invert the pot and slide your pothos plant out of the pot, supporting its weight with your hands.

Shake gently to remove excess soil and reveal the roots. Examine the roots for any signs of rot or discoloration. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Cut away any discolored or soft roots with a sharp knife.

Separate the pothos plant into two or more sections, leaving at least two shoots on each plant. Pull gently to tease the roots apart. If roots are tightly coiled, cut them apart with a sharp knife.

Fill the new plant pots three-fourths full of fresh potting medium. A mixture of equal parts potting soil, peat moss and perlite works well for houseplants.

Position the new plants in the soil and spread the roots out over the soil. Fill in around the roots with soil. Adjust the pothos plant so that the crown -- the area where the roots meet the stems -- rests at the soil level. Firm the soil down lightly to secure the plant in the pot.

Water thoroughly to saturate the soil in the pot. Place the newly potted pothos plants in bright, indirect light and resume routine plant care.