Why are my golden pothos cuttings turning yellow in water?

What's likely going on

From the photo, the golden pothos leaves have yellowing with brown, dead patches and the lower parts of the stems look tired and possibly mushy. That usually means:

1. Stem rot from stale water – If the water isn’t changed often, it runs low on oxygen and bacteria build up. Soft, brown sections on the stem and blackened roots are a sign.
2. Incorrect cuttings – If only a leaf stem (petiole) is in water, or the node (the little bump where a leaf and aerial root come from) is damaged, the cutting can’t root and starts to die back.
3. Stress from low light or heat – Cuttings kept in very low light or in strong hot sun will also yellow and drop leaves.

The plant itself can grow happily in water, but the setup has to be clean and only the right part of the stem should be submerged.

What to do

1. Check the stems closely
   Take the cuttings out. With clean scissors, cut off any soft, brown, or black sections until you reach firm, green tissue.

2. Prepare proper cuttings
   Each piece should have at least one healthy node. Remove the leaf that would sit under water so only bare stem and node are submerged; leaves stay above water.

3. Clean the container and refresh water
   Wash the jar with soap and hot water, rinse well, then refill with fresh, room‑temperature water (filtered or left‑out tap water if yours is very chlorinated).

4. Give bright, indirect light
   Place the jar near a bright window but out of harsh midday sun. Avoid dark corners.

5. Change water regularly
   Replace all the water every 3–5 days and rinse the jar. Remove any fallen leaves from the water.

How to prevent it

• Always cut just below a node with clean tools.
• Never leave leaves or decaying pieces under water.
• Keep the water clear and oxygenated with frequent changes.
• Once roots are a few centimeters long, you can either keep it in water (still changing it often) or pot it into well‑draining soil.

When to worry

• If all stems turn mushy and hollow, they’re too far gone; discard and start with fresh, healthy cuttings from the mother plant.
• If new roots turn brown and the water smells bad within a day or two, check for very high heat or direct sun on the jar, and move it to a cooler, bright spot and change water more often.