Almost every propagation guide says “cut below the node” like it’s obvious. If you’re staring at a Monstera or Pothos stem trying to figure out what that actually means, here’s the plain answer.
What a Node Actually Is
A node is the point on a stem where a leaf attaches, or where one used to attach. On most aroids it looks like a slightly raised bump, ridge, or brown-ish joint in the stem – a visibly different texture from the smooth stem around it. This is where the plant stores the growth cells needed to produce new roots and new stems. It’s not decorative; it’s structurally where growth happens.
The space between two nodes is called an internode, and it’s just plain stem – cutting a piece that’s entirely internode, with no node anywhere on it, generally won’t grow into a new plant no matter how long you wait.
How to Spot One
- Look at where each leaf meets the main stem – that junction is a node, whether or not the leaf is still attached.
- Look for aerial roots – small brown, root-like nubs growing straight out of the stem. They almost always emerge right at or near a node.
- Run a finger along the stem. A node usually has a slight ridge or texture change you can feel, even if it’s subtle to look at.
- On a bare stem where leaves have already dropped, you can often still see a faint ring or scar marking where a node is.
Where Exactly to Cut
Cut about a quarter to half an inch below the node, not directly through it. You want the node itself intact on the cutting, with a small amount of stem tissue below it to protect it and give roots room to emerge.
If you’re taking a longer cutting with multiple nodes, that’s fine – it just means you’ll get multiple potential growth points on one piece, though usually only the node that’s submerged or buried will actually root.
Can You Propagate a Leaf Without a Node?
A leaf alone, cut through the petiole with no node attached, will generally survive for a while sitting in water but won’t grow into a new plant. It has no growth tissue to produce roots or a new stem from. This is one of the most common propagation disappointments – a leaf that looks perfectly healthy for weeks, sometimes even growing a few small roots from the cut petiole, but never actually developing into a full plant, because there’s no node behind it to grow from.
If you want a new plant, not just a leaf sitting in water, the node has to be part of the cutting.
Propagating Vining Aroids is a short, visual guide made for beginners – see exactly where to cut Monstera, Pothos, and Philodendron, made to look at while you work.