How to Grow a Money Plant

A single cutting placed in a glass jar on the kitchen windowsill three years ago has since become a sprawling vine trailing across an entire bookshelf, requiring nothing more than occasional water changes and indirect sunlight. That kind of effortless abundance is precisely what makes the money plant one of the most beloved houseplants worldwide. Understanding how to grow money plant successfully starts with a few foundational principles that apply whether the goal is a tabletop specimen or a full climbing display, and many of the same plant care fundamentals used across indoor gardening translate directly to this resilient species.

The money plant — most commonly Epipremnum aureum, also known as golden pothos or devil's ivy — thrives in tropical and subtropical climates but adapts remarkably well to indoor conditions across virtually every region. Its heart-shaped leaves, tolerance for low light, and ability to root in plain water have earned it a permanent spot in homes, offices, and even hospitals. For those already comfortable with growing basil indoors or similar low-maintenance plants, the money plant presents an even gentler learning curve.

Beyond aesthetics, this vine serves a practical purpose: NASA's Clean Air Study identified pothos as effective at filtering indoor pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, making it both decorative and functional in improving indoor air quality.

Best Growing Practices for Money Plant

Knowing how to grow money plant effectively hinges on choosing the right propagation method and environment from the start, since early decisions influence long-term vigor and leaf size significantly.

Water Propagation vs. Soil Planting

Both methods work reliably, but each carries distinct trade-offs that matter depending on the grower's intent and experience level.

• Water propagation allows visible root monitoring and requires almost zero equipment — a glass jar and clean water are sufficient for months of growth.
• Soil planting produces stronger root systems over time and supports larger, more robust leaf development once the plant matures past its initial establishment phase.
• Cuttings started in water can transition to soil, though the reverse is rarely successful because soil-adapted roots struggle to revert to aquatic conditions.
• For water-grown plants, changing the water every five to seven days prevents algae buildup and oxygen depletion around the developing root nodes.

Gardeners who enjoy cultivating avocado pits indoors will find the water-rooting process for money plant nearly identical, though substantially faster in producing visible results.

Ideal Light and Temperature Conditions

Money plants perform best in bright, indirect light, though they tolerate low-light corners better than most tropical houseplants. Direct afternoon sunlight, particularly through south-facing windows, can scorch leaves and fade variegation patterns within just a few weeks. Temperatures between 15°C and 30°C (59°F–86°F) keep growth steady, while anything below 10°C risks cold damage to the foliage and slowed metabolic function.

Common Money Plant Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced indoor gardeners occasionally fall into habits that compromise money plant health, often because the plant's tolerance masks problems until they become severe.

Overwatering and Root Rot

The single most frequent killer of potted money plants is excessive moisture in the root zone. Because the vine tolerates water culture so well, many growers assume soil-planted specimens also prefer constant dampness. In reality, potted money plants need the top two inches of soil to dry between waterings — a cycle that typically runs seven to ten days indoors. Containers without drainage holes virtually guarantee root rot within a few months, regardless of watering frequency. This principle of measured watering mirrors the approach needed when learning how often to water a vegetable garden — more is not always better.

Misjudging Light Requirements

• Placing variegated cultivars (Marble Queen, N'Joy) in low light causes them to revert to solid green as the plant compensates for reduced photosynthesis.
• Exposing any cultivar to harsh direct sun produces brown, crispy leaf edges that do not recover even after relocation to gentler conditions.
• Rotating the pot a quarter turn weekly promotes even growth and prevents the vine from stretching disproportionately toward its light source.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

Routine maintenance keeps money plants dense, vibrant, and free from the leggy decline that often sets in after the first year of unmanaged growth.

Feeding and Fertilization Schedule

A balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to half strength once per month during the growing season — spring through early autumn — provides sufficient nutrition without salt buildup. Those familiar with calculating liquid fertilizer doses for garden plants can apply the same conservative approach here, erring on the side of less rather than more.

Pruning and Training the Vine

Regular pruning accomplishes two things simultaneously: it prevents the vine from becoming sparse and leggy, and every trimmed section becomes a viable cutting for propagation. Cuts should be made just below a node — the small brown bump where aerial roots emerge — using clean, sharp scissors. Training vines along a moss pole or trellis encourages larger leaf development, sometimes doubling leaf size compared to trailing specimens, because the aerial roots attach and absorb supplemental moisture from the support structure.

From First Cutting to Advanced Techniques

Getting Started with a Single Node

Beginners need nothing more than a healthy cutting with at least one node and one leaf, a container of room-temperature water, and a spot with gentle ambient light. Roots typically emerge within seven to fourteen days, and the cutting can remain in water indefinitely or transfer to a pot once roots reach three to four inches. This simplicity is part of what makes the money plant an ideal companion to other easy indoor projects like growing catnip indoors.

Advanced Shaping and Variegation Control

• Selective pruning of reverted green stems on variegated cultivars forces the plant to push new growth from variegated nodes, gradually restoring the desired pattern.
• Air layering — wrapping a node in moist sphagnum while still attached to the mother plant — produces larger, more established transplants than standard cuttings.
• Growing multiple cuttings in a single pot creates a fuller, bushier appearance far more quickly than waiting for a single vine to branch naturally.
• Controlled light exposure remains the primary tool for managing variegation intensity across all cultivars of Epipremnum aureum.

Troubleshooting Unhealthy Money Plants

Most money plant problems trace back to water, light, or nutrient imbalances rather than disease or pest pressure, making diagnosis relatively straightforward for attentive growers.

Yellowing and Browning Leaves

• Uniform yellowing across older leaves typically signals overwatering or poor drainage — check the root zone for mushiness and reduce watering immediately.
• Brown, dry leaf tips point to low humidity or fertilizer salt accumulation in the soil, both of which respond well to flushing the pot with clean water.
• Sudden leaf drop after relocation is usually transplant shock and resolves within two to three weeks without intervention beyond consistent conditions.

Leggy Growth and Sparse Foliage

When internodal spacing stretches noticeably and new leaves emerge smaller than their predecessors, the plant is almost certainly light-starved. Moving the pot closer to a window or supplementing with a basic grow light for six to eight hours daily reverses the trend within a month. Pest issues like spider mites or mealybugs — similar to the nuisances encountered when trying to manage ants in the garden — can also weaken growth and should be addressed with insecticidal soap or neem oil at the first sign of infestation.

Weighing the Benefits and Limitations

Key Advantages for Indoor Growers

The money plant's reputation as a nearly indestructible houseplant is well-earned, and its benefits extend beyond mere survival into genuinely rewarding indoor gardening territory.

• Thrives in a wide range of light conditions, from bright indirect to dimly lit hallways, making placement flexible throughout any living space.
• Propagates effortlessly from cuttings, allowing a single purchase to produce dozens of new plants over time at no additional cost.
• Proven air-purifying qualities contribute to healthier indoor environments, particularly in spaces with limited ventilation or high concentrations of synthetic materials.
• Grows well in both water and soil, accommodating different aesthetic preferences and maintenance schedules without requiring specialized equipment.

Limitations Worth Considering

Toxicity is the most significant drawback — all parts of Epipremnum aureum contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, swelling, and digestive distress if ingested by pets or small children. Households with curious animals or toddlers should position the plant well out of reach or consider non-toxic alternatives. Additionally, money plants left entirely unattended for extended periods become aggressively leggy, and the vine can damage painted walls or wooden furniture where aerial roots attach and grip surfaces over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single healthy cutting, a jar of water, and a little patience are all it takes to grow a money plant that outlasts nearly every other houseplant in the collection.