In a bid to get creative with plant propagation, some enthusiasts have turned to using candle wax as a supposed 'trick' to speed up the rooting process of houseplants like pothos. The idea is to apply a 'cap' made from melted wax around the cut end of the stem to supposedly prevent bacterial contamination and encourage new roots to sprout.
However, in reality, this technique amounts to little more than unnecessary fiddling with a wound that's already capable of healing itself. By coating the cut end with wax, you're essentially capping off the stem's natural ability to form new tissues and promote healthy root growth.
One study tested this theory by comparing two sets of pothos cuttings: one set was dipped in melted candle wax, while the other were simply placed in clean water. While the plant with the wax coating took longer to develop roots, it ultimately didn't fare any better than its counterpart. In fact, the waxed cutting required more time for its sealed end to 'heal', only for new roots to emerge higher up the stem – a far cry from the desired outcome.
So what does this experiment tell us? That candle wax is little more than a gimmick with no proven benefits when it comes to plant propagation. The tried and tested methods of cutting, dipping in clean water, and providing bright indirect light remain the most effective approach for encouraging healthy root growth in your pothos or other houseplants.
However, in reality, this technique amounts to little more than unnecessary fiddling with a wound that's already capable of healing itself. By coating the cut end with wax, you're essentially capping off the stem's natural ability to form new tissues and promote healthy root growth.
One study tested this theory by comparing two sets of pothos cuttings: one set was dipped in melted candle wax, while the other were simply placed in clean water. While the plant with the wax coating took longer to develop roots, it ultimately didn't fare any better than its counterpart. In fact, the waxed cutting required more time for its sealed end to 'heal', only for new roots to emerge higher up the stem – a far cry from the desired outcome.
So what does this experiment tell us? That candle wax is little more than a gimmick with no proven benefits when it comes to plant propagation. The tried and tested methods of cutting, dipping in clean water, and providing bright indirect light remain the most effective approach for encouraging healthy root growth in your pothos or other houseplants.
this whole thing sounds kinda... pointless. and what's up with all these ppl trying new 'tricks' to make their plants grow faster? cant they just stick to the basics? 
. it's like, the plant is already gonna heal itself, no need to mess with its natural process. and what's the real cost of using this wax trick? more time and effort in the long run? or is it just our own ego trying to think we're smarter than nature? 
using candle wax as a trick to speed up plant propagation is just pure nonsense! I mean, come on... who thought that was a good idea? 
. the natural process of healing itself is way more effective than slapping some melted wax on there. and don't even get me started on how much time and effort this "gimmick" wastes 
just stick with what works, folks! cut your plant, dip it in clean water, give it bright indirect light... voila! healthy roots and happy plants 
. Seriously though, who needs all that extra fiddling? The plant is like "Uh, thanks for the help, human, I got this!" Just stick with what works and let the plant do its thing 
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. sure, maybe it ain't the most effective way to get roots growing fast, but who says we gotta have all the answers right now? let's not dismiss this just 'cause it doesn't fit into our traditional methods of propagation. and btw, what's wrong with a little trial & error? can't ppl just experiment & see for themselves if this method works for them? 
. If it's really that simple to just seal off a wound with wax and boost rooting, wouldn't it have been discovered by now? What about all the plant enthusiast forums and YouTube tutorials that swear by this method? Where's the science behind it? This experiment seems pretty basic... anyone can set up an experiment like that at home. And what about all the other variables that could affect root growth, like water temperature or fertilizer levels? I need to see some more in-depth research before I start waxing (lol) my plants 
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The study made me realize that it's actually doing more harm than good, and it's just a waste of time. Let's stick to the basics: clean water, indirect light, and don't mess with Mother Nature's plan