How Money Plant Grow In Water – The Ultimate Guide For Lush, Soil-Free

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever walked into a friend’s home or a chic café and spotted a vibrant Money Plant, its heart-shaped leaves cascading gracefully from a simple glass jar of water? It’s a stunning look—clean, modern, and effortlessly green. You might have thought, “I wish I could do that,” or wondered how a plant could possibly thrive without a single speck of soil.

I’m here to let you in on a little secret: it’s one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to bring nature indoors. I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll have all the confidence and knowledge you need to master how money plant grow in water. It’s a perfect project for absolute beginners and seasoned plant parents alike!

We’ll walk through everything together, step by step. From selecting the perfect cutting and setting up your first water-based home for it, to providing the best ongoing care and even troubleshooting the occasional hiccup. Get ready to unlock the simple magic of growing these beautiful vines in water.

The Alluring Benefits of How Money Plant Grow in Water

Before we roll up our sleeves and get our hands (metaphorically) dirty, let’s talk about why you’ll absolutely love this method. The benefits of how money plant grow in water go far beyond just looking pretty, making it an incredible addition to any home.

  • Minimalist & Mess-Free: Say goodbye to bags of potting soil and potential messes. Growing in water is a clean, simple, and elegant way to display your plants.
  • Extremely Low Maintenance: Forget about watering schedules and soil moisture meters. This method is incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for busy individuals or those new to gardening.
  • Pest-Free Paradise: Most common houseplant pests, like fungus gnats, live and breed in soil. By removing the soil, you eliminate their habitat almost entirely. It’s a win-win!
  • Watch the Magic Happen: One of the most fascinating parts is watching the root system develop. A clear vase offers a beautiful, living window into how your plant grows and thrives.
  • Versatile & Decorative: A money plant in a stylish bottle on your work desk, a jar on a bookshelf, or a vase on the kitchen counter—the decorative possibilities are endless and fit any decor style.

Your Simple Toolkit: What You’ll Need to Get Started

One of the best things about this project is that you likely have almost everything you need already. No fancy equipment required! This simple how money plant grow in water guide starts with just a few basic items.

  • A Healthy Mother Plant: You’ll need a healthy, established Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum, also known as Pothos) from which to take cuttings. Ask a friend for a snippet from theirs if you don’t have one!
  • Clean, Sharp Scissors or Pruners: Using a sharp tool is crucial for a clean cut that heals quickly and promotes healthy rooting. Make sure to wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent any disease transfer.
  • A Glass Vessel: A jam jar, an old wine bottle, a decorative vase, or even a simple drinking glass will work perfectly. For beginners, a clear glass container is ideal because it allows you to monitor root growth and water clarity easily.
  • Water: Plain old tap water is usually fine, but if your water is heavily treated, let it sit out overnight. This allows chlorine to evaporate. Filtered water or rainwater are excellent choices, too.

The Complete Guide on How Money Plant Grow in Water

Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Following these simple steps is the key to understanding exactly how to how money plant grow in water successfully. Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think. Just follow along, and you’ll have a rooted cutting in no time.

  1. Step 1: Taking the Perfect Cutting

    Look at your mother plant’s vine. You’ll see little brown bumps or nubs along the stem where the leaves meet it. These are called nodes, and they are the magical spots from where new roots will grow.

    Identify a healthy section of vine that has at least 4-6 leaves. Using your clean scissors, make a cut about an inch below a node. Your final cutting should be about 6 inches long.

  2. Step 2: Preparing Your Cutting

    This is a small but vital step. Carefully snip off the 1-2 leaves at the very bottom of the cutting—the ones closest to the cut end. You want to ensure that only the bare stem and nodes are submerged in water.

    Why? Because leaves will rot if left underwater, which can foul the water and harm your cutting. We want to give it the cleanest, healthiest start possible.

  3. Step 3: Setting Up Your Vessel

    Whether you’re using a vintage bottle or a simple jar, make sure it’s sparkling clean. Wash it with warm, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly to remove any residue. This prevents harmful bacteria from growing.

    Fill your chosen vessel with room-temperature water. Cold water can shock the cutting, so letting it sit for a bit is a good idea.

  4. Step 4: Placing the Cutting

    Gently place your prepared cutting into the vessel. Make sure that at least one or two of the bare nodes are fully submerged in the water. The remaining leaves should be well above the waterline, happily sitting in the open air.

    And that’s it! You’ve officially started the process. Now, we just need to find it a happy home.

  5. Step 5: Finding the Perfect Spot

    Place your jar in a spot that receives plenty of bright, indirect light. A north-facing windowsill or a spot a few feet away from an east-facing window is perfect. Direct sunlight can be too harsh, scorching the leaves and encouraging algae growth in the water.

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A Simple Care Guide: Keeping Your Water-Grown Money Plant Thriving

Your cutting is settled in its new home, and now the journey really begins! This ongoing how money plant grow in water care guide is all about the simple routines that will keep your plant healthy and vibrant for years to come. These are the best practices that I swear by.

The Golden Rule: Changing the Water

This is the most important task. You’ll want to change the water completely every 7 to 10 days, or sooner if you notice it looking cloudy. Fresh water provides essential dissolved oxygen for the roots and prevents the buildup of bacteria.

When you change the water, it’s a good idea to gently rinse the roots under the tap to wash away any slime or buildup. Also, give the inside of your vase a quick scrub!

Let There Be Light (But Not Too Much!)

As we mentioned, bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. If you notice the leaves looking pale or yellowish, it might be getting too much direct sun. If growth is slow and the leaves are very small, it might need a bit more light. Plants are great at communicating—you just have to learn their language!

To Feed or Not to Feed? A Pro Tip

Unlike soil, water contains no nutrients. For the first few months, your cutting will be fine, but for long-term health, a little food goes a long way. Once your plant has a healthy root system, you can add a very diluted liquid fertilizer.

Use an all-purpose indoor plant fertilizer, but dilute it to one-quarter strength. Add this weak solution just once a month during the spring and summer growing season. This tiny boost will make a huge difference!

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with How Money Plant Grow in Water

Even with the best care, you might run into a small issue. Don’t panic! Here are some solutions to the most common problems with how money plant grow in water. Every gardener faces these, and they are usually very easy to fix.

Yellowing Leaves: What Do They Mean?

A single yellow leaf now and then is normal; it’s just the plant shedding an old leaf. But if you see multiple leaves turning yellow, it could mean a few things:

  • Too much sun: Move it away from the window.
  • Nutrient deficiency: If the plant is well-established, it might be time for that diluted fertilizer.
  • Root rot: Check if the submerged stem is mushy. If so, trim the rotten part, clean the vase, and start with fresh water.

Slimy Stems or Murky Water

This is a clear sign of bacterial growth. It means the water needs to be changed more frequently. Immediately give your plant fresh water, thoroughly clean the vase with soap, and gently rinse the plant’s roots and stem.

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Pesky Green Algae in Your Jar

Algae loves two things: light and nutrients. If your clear jar is in a very bright spot, algae might start to grow. While it’s not directly harmful to the plant, it doesn’t look great. You can fix this by cleaning the jar thoroughly during water changes or by switching to an opaque vase (like ceramic or colored glass) which blocks the light.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Money Plant Care

One of the quiet joys of gardening is connecting with nature, and we can extend that connection by making conscious choices. A sustainable how money plant grow in water practice is not only good for the planet but also adds more meaning to your hobby.

Embracing an eco-friendly how money plant grow in water mindset is simple. Instead of buying new vases, why not upcycle? An old pasta sauce jar, a beautiful vinegar bottle, or a vintage teacup can make a unique and charming home for your plant.

Furthermore, when you change your plant’s water, don’t just pour it down the drain! That water contains trace nutrients from the plant. Use it to water your other soil-based houseplants. It’s a small but impactful way to conserve water and give your other plants a little boost.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Money Plant Grow in Water

How long does it take for money plant cuttings to root in water?

You should start to see the first signs of small, white roots emerging from the nodes within 2 to 4 weeks. The timeline can vary based on the time of year, light conditions, and the health of the cutting.

Can a money plant live in water forever?

Yes, absolutely! As long as you provide it with fresh water regularly and the occasional nutrient boost with diluted fertilizer, a money plant can happily live its entire life in water. It’s a true hydroponic wonder.

Do I need to add fertilizer to my money plant in water?

For long-term health, yes. While it can survive for a long time without it, it won’t thrive. Adding a very diluted (1/4 strength) liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season will provide the nutrients it needs for lush, vibrant growth.

Why are the leaves on my water-grown money plant turning yellow?

The most common culprits are too much direct sunlight, a natural shedding of old leaves, or a lack of nutrients in an older, established plant. Check your light conditions first, and if the plant has been in water for many months, consider a mild feeding.

Your Soil-Free Journey Awaits

See? Growing a beautiful Money Plant in water is not only possible but incredibly simple and gratifying. You’ve learned how to take the perfect cutting, set it up for success, and provide the simple, consistent care it needs to flourish.

You now have a complete how money plant grow in water tips and tricks toolkit at your disposal. This method is a wonderful way to multiply your plants, share them with friends, or simply add a touch of effortless green to every corner of your home.

So go ahead, find a pretty jar, take that first brave snip, and start your water-gardening adventure today. You’ve got this!

Rimon Chowdhury
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