Bamboo Plant Vs Money Plant: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever find yourself standing in a garden center, staring at two lush green plants, and feeling completely stuck? You want something easy, something that adds life to your space, and maybe even brings a little good luck. It often comes down to two iconic houseplants, sparking the great debate: bamboo plant vs money plant.

I get it. They both have a reputation for being low-maintenance and lucky, but they are surprisingly different. Choosing the wrong one for your home, light conditions, or even your watering style can lead to a less-than-thriving green friend.

But don’t worry! I promise this guide will clear up all the confusion. As a fellow plant lover who has grown both for years, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll break down their real identities, compare their care needs side-by-side, explore their unique benefits, and even troubleshoot common problems.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to confidently choose the perfect green companion that will not only survive but thrive in your care. Let’s dig in!

Meet the Contenders: What’s the Real Difference?

First things first, let’s clear up a common case of mistaken identity. It’s one of the most important bamboo plant vs money plant tips to know before you even start.

The “Lucky Bamboo” Impostor

The plant we all know and love as “Lucky Bamboo” isn’t actually bamboo at all! It’s a species of Dracaena, scientifically named Dracaena sanderiana. It’s a resilient, cane-like plant from the tropical rainforests of Africa.

It gets its common name because its segmented stalks look just like real bamboo. This clever marketing, combined with its role in Feng Shui, has made it a global superstar. It’s most often sold and grown hydroponically (just in water).

The Versatile “Money Plant”

The “Money Plant,” on the other hand, is most commonly Epipremnum aureum, also known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy. This hardy vining plant is native to Southeast Asia and is famous for its heart-shaped leaves, often variegated with yellow or white.

It earned its nickname from the belief that it brings wealth and prosperity to the household. It’s incredibly versatile and is almost always grown in soil, where it can climb, trail, or sprawl to its heart’s content.

Aesthetic & Vibe: Styling Your Space

Beyond the botanical details, how will these plants actually look and feel in your home? Their visual styles are worlds apart.

Lucky Bamboo: Sculptural & Serene

Think of Lucky Bamboo as living sculpture. Its strong, vertical lines and minimalist appearance lend a sense of calm and order to a space. It’s perfect for:

  • Modern or minimalist decor
  • Office desks and workspaces
  • Small spaces where you need vertical interest
  • Bathrooms or kitchens with an elegant, spa-like feel

You’ll often find it arranged in intricate shapes like curls, braids, or towers, held in a simple glass vase with pebbles. It’s a statement piece that is both structured and natural.

Money Plant: Lush, Wild & Welcoming

The Money Plant offers a completely different vibe. Its trailing vines and lush foliage create a feeling of abundance and untamed nature. It’s a classic for a reason and works beautifully when:

  • Draped over the edge of a bookshelf or cabinet
  • Hanging from a basket in the corner of a room
  • Trained to climb up a moss pole or trellis
  • Used to create a vibrant, “jungle” aesthetic

Its heart-shaped leaves soften any space, making it feel more welcoming and alive. It’s the definition of a leafy, cheerful companion.

The Ultimate Bamboo Plant vs Money Plant Care Guide

Here’s where we get into the nitty-gritty. This detailed bamboo plant vs money plant care guide will show you just how different their day-to-day needs are. This is where you’ll truly decide which plant fits your lifestyle.

Lighting Needs: Sun-Kissed or Shade-Lover?

Lucky Bamboo: This plant prefers bright, indirect light. Think of a spot near a window but out of the direct sunbeams. Too much direct sun will scorch its leaves, turning them yellow. It’s also remarkably tolerant of low-light conditions, making it a great choice for offices or rooms with less-than-ideal window access.

Money Plant: Similarly, the Money Plant thrives in bright, indirect light. However, it’s a bit more adaptable. It can tolerate lower light, but its growth may become “leggy” (long stems with few leaves), and variegated varieties might lose their coloring. A little morning sun is usually fine, but avoid harsh afternoon rays.

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The Verdict: Both are fantastic low-light options, but Lucky Bamboo is slightly more sensitive to direct sun.

Watering Wisdom: The Thirst Quench Test

This is the biggest difference in our bamboo plant vs money plant showdown!

Lucky Bamboo (in water): The key is to keep the roots submerged in about an inch of water at all times. The most important tip? Use the right water! Tap water often contains chlorine and fluoride, which can cause brown tips and yellow stalks. It’s best to use distilled water, filtered water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate.

Money Plant (in soil): This plant prefers its soil to dry out slightly between waterings. The “finger test” is your best friend here. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, wait a few more days. Overwatering is the #1 killer of Money Plants, leading to root rot.

The Verdict: Their watering needs are completely different. Choose Lucky Bamboo if you prefer a simple “top-up” system and Money Plant if you’re comfortable with a traditional soil-based watering schedule.

Soil & Potting: Giving Them a Good Home

Lucky Bamboo: Typically, it doesn’t need soil at all! It’s happiest in a vase or container filled with pebbles or decorative stones for stability and an inch or two of water. If you do choose to pot it in soil, use a well-draining, rich potting mix and keep it consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Money Plant: This plant needs a standard, well-draining indoor potting mix. A good quality mix with perlite or coco coir will ensure its roots get enough oxygen and don’t sit in soggy soil. Repot it every 1-2 years when it becomes root-bound.

The Verdict: Lucky Bamboo offers a unique, soil-free growing experience, while the Money Plant follows traditional potting methods.

Growth Habits & Pruning: Taming Your Green Friends

How will your new plant grow, and how much work will it take to keep it looking good? Let’s explore some bamboo plant vs money plant best practices for growth and maintenance.

Lucky Bamboo: This is a very slow and steady grower. It focuses on producing new leaves from the top of its stalks rather than growing much taller. Pruning is minimal and usually only done to control its shape or remove any yellowing leaves or offshoots. You can trim the main stalk, but be aware it will stop growing from that point and will sprout new growth just below the cut.

Money Plant: This is a vigorous, fast-growing vine! It can grow several feet in a single year under the right conditions. Regular pruning is essential to encourage a fuller, bushier plant and to keep its trailing vines from getting out of control. Simply snip the stems right after a leaf node (where a leaf meets the stem).

Propagation: Making More Plant Babies!

One of the best parts of owning these plants is how easy they are to propagate. It’s a core part of any guide to how to bamboo plant vs money plant.

  1. For Lucky Bamboo: Simply snip off a healthy offshoot that has at least one leaf joint. Let the cut end dry for an hour, then place it in a shallow container of distilled water. Roots will form in about a month!
  2. For Money Plant: Take a stem cutting that has at least 2-3 leaves and a few nodes (the little bumps on the stem). Place the cutting in a glass of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged. Roots will appear in a few weeks, and you can plant it in soil once the roots are an inch long.

Benefits of Bamboo Plant vs Money Plant: More Than Just Good Looks

Beyond their beauty, both plants are believed to bring positive energy and health benefits. The benefits of bamboo plant vs money plant extend into symbolism and even air quality.

Feng Shui & Symbolism

In Feng Shui, Lucky Bamboo is a powerhouse of good fortune. The number of stalks has different meanings (e.g., two for love, three for happiness, wealth, and long life). Its upward growth symbolizes prosperity and personal growth.

The Money Plant is also a wealth magnet in Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra. Its heart-shaped leaves are said to attract positive energy and financial prosperity, especially when placed in the southeast corner of a home.

Air-Purifying Powerhouses

Both plants are excellent natural air purifiers. The Money Plant (Pothos) was famously included in NASA’s Clean Air Study for its ability to remove indoor pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air. While Lucky Bamboo wasn’t in that specific study, Dracaenas in general are known for their air-cleaning capabilities.

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Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gardening

Choosing either of these is a great step toward more sustainable bamboo plant vs money plant practices. Because they are so easy to propagate, you can easily create new plants to share with friends and family, reducing waste and the need to buy new ones. They are resilient and require minimal resources to thrive, making them a wonderfully eco-friendly bamboo plant vs money plant choice.

Common Problems with Bamboo Plant vs Money Plant (and How to Fix Them!)

Even the easiest plants can have bad days. Here’s a quick look at some common problems with bamboo plant vs money plant and how to solve them like a pro.

Lucky Bamboo Woes

  • Yellow Stalks or Leaves: This is usually caused by too much direct sunlight or too much fertilizer. Move it to a shadier spot and stick to clean water.
  • Brown Leaf Tips: The classic sign of using tap water. Switch to filtered or distilled water.
  • Mushy Stalks: This is root rot and is unfortunately irreversible for the affected stalk. Remove it immediately to save the rest of the arrangement.

Money Plant Mishaps

  • Yellow Leaves: The most common cause is overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
  • Brown, Crispy Edges: This often points to low humidity or underwatering. Try misting the plant or placing it near a humidifier.
  • Leggy Growth: Long, bare stems mean the plant is stretching for more light. Move it to a brighter location and prune it back to encourage bushier growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bamboo and Money Plants

Can I grow Lucky Bamboo in soil?

Yes, you absolutely can! Use a rich, well-draining potting mix and keep it consistently moist. Many people find it grows even better in soil, though it loses the unique hydroponic look.

Which plant is better for a complete beginner?

This is a tough one! I’d say the Money Plant is slightly more forgiving for a traditional houseplant experience. Its signs of thirst (drooping leaves) are very obvious. However, if you’re worried you’ll forget to water, the Lucky Bamboo in a vase is incredibly simple—just keep the water level up!

Is Money Plant (Pothos) toxic to pets?

Yes, it is. Epipremnum aureum contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing irritation to the mouth and stomach. It’s best to keep it in a hanging basket or on a high shelf out of reach of curious pets.

Which plant grows faster?

The Money Plant wins this race by a landslide. It’s a famously fast and vigorous grower. Lucky Bamboo is much more slow and contained, making it ideal for spaces where you don’t want a plant to take over.

The Final Verdict: Which Green Companion is for You?

So, after our deep dive into the bamboo plant vs money plant debate, the choice comes down to your personal style, home environment, and the kind of plant parent you want to be.

Choose Lucky Bamboo if:

  • You love a modern, minimalist, or Zen-inspired aesthetic.
  • You want a unique, soil-free plant that lives in water.
  • You have a small space and need a plant with a slow, upright growth habit.
  • You’re looking for a powerful symbol of luck and prosperity for a desk or entryway.

Choose Money Plant if:

  • You adore a lush, leafy, and “jungle” vibe.
  • You want a versatile plant that can hang, climb, or trail.
  • You enjoy the satisfaction of watching a plant grow quickly.
  • You want a super-resilient, air-purifying workhorse for any room in the house (away from pets!).

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Both are wonderful, resilient plants that bring so much life and joy indoors. They are perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Trust your gut, pick the one that speaks to you, and get ready to enjoy your new green friend.

Go forth and grow!

Rimon Chowdhury
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