Free Beginner's Guide to Growing Money Plants

Understanding Money Plants and Their Growth Basics

Money plants, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum or Pothos, are among the most popular indoor houseplants worldwide. Native to the Solomon Islands, these trailing vines have become household staples in countless homes due to their hardiness and attractive appearance. The plant earned its common name "money plant" from various cultural beliefs suggesting that keeping one in your home brings financial prosperity, though the real value lies in the plant's air-purifying qualities and low-maintenance nature.

Learn How Credit One Bank Bill Pay Works →

Money plants feature heart-shaped leaves that typically grow to about 2-4 inches in length. The vines can extend several feet in length, making them ideal for hanging baskets, shelves, or climbing supports. What makes money plants particularly appealing to beginners is their remarkable tolerance for neglect. Unlike many houseplants that require precise watering schedules and specific light conditions, money plants thrive under a wide range of circumstances, making them forgiving of occasional mistakes.

The plant grows through a climbing or trailing growth pattern, depending on how you choose to cultivate it. When provided with a moss pole or trellis, money plants will climb upward, developing larger leaves as they mature. Conversely, when left to cascade from a hanging container, they create beautiful waterfall-like displays. This versatility in growth patterns allows you to customize the plant's appearance to match your space and preferences.

Money plants are also known for their air-purifying abilities. Research from NASA's Clean Air Study found that Pothos plants remove formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from indoor air. This added benefit makes the plant both decorative and functionally valuable for your living space. Understanding these fundamental characteristics provides the foundation for successfully growing and maintaining a thriving money plant in your home.

Takeaway: Money plants are adaptable, forgiving houseplants with heart-shaped leaves that can grow as either trailing or climbing vines. Their natural tolerance for varied conditions and air-purifying properties make them ideal for beginning gardeners.

Selecting the Right Location and Light Conditions

Choosing where to place your money plant significantly impacts its growth rate and overall health. Money plants are remarkably flexible regarding light requirements, which is why they work so well in homes with varying light conditions. The plant can survive in low-light environments—such as offices with only fluorescent lighting or corners of rooms away from windows—but it will grow much faster and develop more vibrant coloring in brighter locations.

Free Guide to Citibank Card Payment Login →

Indirect, bright light represents the ideal condition for money plants. A location near an east-facing or north-facing window typically provides this perfect balance. East-facing windows offer gentle morning light without the intense afternoon heat, while north-facing windows provide consistent, moderate light throughout the day. If you have a south-facing or west-facing window, positioning your money plant a few feet away from the window allows it to benefit from bright light without experiencing direct sun exposure that could scorch the leaves.

The plant's leaf color serves as a visual indicator of light conditions. Money plants grown in optimal lighting develop deep green leaves with consistent coloring. If you notice your plant developing pale or yellowish leaves, this often signals insufficient light. In response, you can gradually move the plant closer to a light source or consider supplementing natural light with grow lights. Conversely, if leaves become brown or scorched-looking, the plant may be receiving too much direct sun, and you should adjust its position accordingly.

For those without access to natural windows, fluorescent or LED grow lights can support money plant growth. Position grow lights 6-12 inches above the plant and operate them for 10-12 hours daily. Budget-friendly LED grow light panels cost between $20-$50 and consume minimal electricity. Many beginners find that a simple shelf near a window eliminates the need for supplemental lighting entirely. The flexibility of money plants means you can experiment with different locations to find what works best in your specific home environment.

Takeaway: Money plants thrive in indirect, bright light but tolerate low-light conditions. Positioning near east or north-facing windows provides ideal growth; watch leaf color to adjust light exposure as needed.

Watering Strategies and Soil Requirements

Watering represents one of the most common areas where beginners make mistakes with houseplants, but money plants are notably forgiving of inconsistent watering patterns. The key to successful watering is understanding that money plants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings rather than remaining consistently moist. Overwatering causes root rot—the leading cause of houseplant death—while underwatering simply slows growth without causing permanent damage.

Get Your Free IRS Tax Debt Information Guide →

To determine when your money plant needs water, check the top inch of soil with your finger. If this top layer feels dry to the touch, it's time to water. If it still feels moist, wait a few more days before checking again. During growing seasons (spring and summer), you may need to water every 5-7 days, while winter watering might only occur every 10-14 days as the plant's growth slows. Room temperature, humidity levels, pot size, and soil type all influence watering frequency, so develop a habit of checking soil moisture rather than following a rigid schedule.

When watering, pour room-temperature water directly onto the soil until it drains from the bottom of the pot. This ensures thorough soil hydration and allows excess water to exit, preventing waterlogging. If your money plant sits in a decorative pot without drainage holes, transfer it to a nursery pot with drainage holes inside the decorative container, or drill drainage holes yourself using a drill bit appropriate for your pot material.

Money plants grow well in standard potting soil, which typically contains peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. This soil type provides adequate drainage while retaining sufficient moisture. Some growers prefer amending standard potting soil with extra perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage further, which can be helpful if you tend to water frequently. A basic bag of potting soil costs $3-$8 and serves multiple planting projects. When repotting your money plant as it grows, use fresh potting soil rather than reusing old soil, which may have become compacted and depleted of nutrients.

Takeaway: Check soil moisture with your finger and water when the top inch feels dry. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Temperature, Humidity, and Growing Environment

Money plants originate from tropical environments, so they prefer warm temperatures and moderate humidity. The ideal temperature range for money plants falls between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Fortunately, these temperatures align well with standard home comfort levels, so most people find their living spaces naturally suitable for money plant growth. The plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C) but experiences slowed growth at this level, and temperatures below 50°F may cause leaf drop.

Understanding Your Credit Card Statement Balance →

Avoid placing your money plant in locations subject to sudden temperature fluctuations, such as near heating vents, air conditioning units, or exterior doors during winter. These drafty areas create stress for the plant and can lead to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. If you notice a temperature-sensitive area in your home, simply relocate your money plant to a more stable location, and it should recover within a few weeks.

While money plants tolerate average household humidity levels (30-50%), they prefer higher humidity when possible. Increased humidity promotes faster growth and prevents leaf tips from browning. You can increase humidity around your plant through several methods. Grouping multiple plants together creates a microclimate with naturally higher humidity. Placing the pot on a pebble tray—a shallow container filled with water and pebbles where the pot sits above the waterline—slowly releases moisture as it evaporates. Misting the leaves with water from a spray bottle twice weekly also raises localized humidity, though this method requires more frequent application than the pebble tray method.

Money plants also benefit from air circulation. A ceiling fan set on low speed or a small oscillating fan positioned nearby promotes air movement without creating harsh drafts. Adequate air circulation helps prevent fungal issues and strengthens plant stems. Most homes naturally provide sufficient air movement, so this is more of an optional enhancement than a necessity.

Takeaway: Maintain temperatures between 65-80°F and provide moderate humidity through grouping plants, pebble trays, or occasional misting. Avoid sudden temperature changes and cold drafts.

Fertilizing and Supporting Healthy Growth