How To Care For Money Plant In Winter – Your Ultimate Guide

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Hello, fellow garden lovers! As the vibrant green of summer fades and a chill creeps into the air, have you noticed your cheerful money plant looking a bit… sad? A few yellowing leaves here, some sluggish growth there—it’s a common winter worry for so many of us who adore our indoor green companions.

I see it every year. But don’t you worry for a second! Winter doesn’t have to mean doom and gloom for your beloved Pothos (or Epipremnum aureum, for the botanically curious). With just a few simple, mindful adjustments, I promise you can guide it through the colder months, keeping it thriving, green, and beautiful all season long.

Imagine your money plant, with its heart-shaped leaves, remaining a lush beacon of life in your home, even on the greyest of days. It’s absolutely possible. This is your complete guide on how to care for money plant in winter, and by the end, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to do just that.

We’ll walk through everything from the perfect watering schedule and ideal light conditions to troubleshooting those pesky yellow leaves. Let’s get your plant ready to not just survive the winter, but to flourish.

Understanding Your Money Plant’s Winter Needs: Why Less is More

The first and most important secret to winter plant care is understanding that your money plant’s needs change dramatically. Just like bears hibernate, your plant enters a state of dormancy, or at least, a period of much slower growth. Its metabolism slows right down.

During spring and summer, your money plant is a busy bee, pushing out new leaves and vines. But in winter, with shorter days and less intense sunlight, it takes a well-deserved rest. This is completely normal!

The biggest mistake I see gardeners make is trying to care for their plant the same way they do in July. Winter care isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less, but with more intention. This how to care for money plant in winter guide is all about making those smart, simple adjustments.

The main challenges your plant faces are:

  • Reduced Light: Shorter days and weaker sunlight mean less energy for photosynthesis.
  • Dry Indoor Air: Central heating systems zap moisture from the air, creating a desert-like environment.
  • Cold Temperatures: Drafts from windows and doors can shock your tropical plant.

Our entire strategy revolves around helping our leafy friend navigate these three hurdles.

The Golden Rules of Winter Watering for Your Money Plant

If you take away only one thing from this article, let it be this: do not overwater your money plant in winter. This is, without a doubt, the number one cause of money plant demise during the cold season. Since the plant is growing slowly, it uses far less water than it does in summer.

The “Finger Dip” Test: Your Most Reliable Tool

Forget watering on a strict schedule like “once a week.” Your plant’s needs will fluctuate. Instead, become friends with the finger dip test. It’s one of the best how to care for money plant in winter tips I can offer.

  1. Gently insert your index finger into the soil, up to your second knuckle (about 2 inches deep).

  2. If the soil feels damp or cool to the touch, do not water. Your plant is still happy.

  3. If the soil feels completely dry and crumbly, it’s time to give your plant a drink.

This simple, tactile method prevents the dreaded root rot, which happens when roots sit in cold, soggy soil for too long.

Water Quality and Temperature Matter

When you do water, use room-temperature water. Cold tap water can shock the plant’s roots, causing unnecessary stress. If your tap water is heavily treated, let it sit out overnight. This allows chlorine to evaporate, making it gentler on your plant.

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Water thoroughly until you see it drain from the bottom of the pot, then discard any excess water from the saucer. Never let your plant sit in a puddle of water.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Light and Location Best Practices

Light is food for your money plant. In winter, with the sun lower in the sky and daylight hours dwindling, we need to help our plant get as much of it as possible. Think of it as moving its dinner plate to a better spot at the table.

The Ideal Winter Window

A spot that was perfect in summer might be too dark now. Consider moving your money plant closer to a south-facing or east-facing window where it can soak up bright, indirect sunlight. Direct, scorching sun can still burn the leaves, even in winter, so a little distance or a sheer curtain is a good idea.

Don’t worry—money plants are very forgiving! You can experiment with a few locations to see where it looks happiest. These are some of the how to care for money plant in winter best practices that make a huge difference.

Beware of Drafts and Drastic Temperature Changes

While you’re finding a brighter spot, be mindful of what else is nearby. Keep your money plant away from:

  • Cold Drafts: Avoid placing it right next to a leaky window, a door that opens frequently, or an unheated porch.
  • Direct Heat Sources: Radiators, heating vents, and fireplaces will dry out the leaves and soil in a flash, leading to brown, crispy edges.

A stable, consistent environment is key. Money plants prefer temperatures between 60-85°F (15-29°C) and dislike sudden, dramatic shifts.

How to Care for Money Plant in Winter: To Feed or Not to Feed?

Here’s an easy one for you: stop fertilizing your money plant in the fall and winter. It’s as simple as that.

Think of it this way: fertilizing is like giving your plant an energy drink. It’s great when it’s actively growing and needs the boost. But when it’s dormant and trying to rest, forcing it to process extra nutrients can do more harm than good. It can lead to a buildup of mineral salts in the soil, which can burn the roots.

You can put the fertilizer away around late September or early October and plan to bring it out again in the spring (around March or April) when you see the first signs of new, active growth. This simple pause is a core part of any good winter care routine.

Humidity and Pruning: The Finishing Touches for a Healthy Plant

Getting the watering and light right are the biggest pieces of the puzzle. But a little attention to humidity and some light grooming will take your winter care to the next level and truly show the benefits of how to care for money plant in winter properly.

Combating Dry Indoor Air

Money plants are tropical natives; they love humidity. Our heated homes in winter are the exact opposite of that. You can easily increase the humidity around your plant in a few sustainable ways:

  • Group Your Plants: Cluster your houseplants together. As they release moisture through transpiration, they create a small, humid microclimate for each other. This is a fantastic, eco-friendly how to care for money plant in winter tip!
  • Use a Pebble Tray: Place a layer of pebbles in the plant’s saucer. Add water until it’s just below the top of the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it will increase the ambient humidity right where your plant needs it.
  • Mist Lightly: A gentle misting with a spray bottle every few days can provide a temporary humidity boost. Aim for the morning so the leaves have time to dry.

A Light Winter Trim

It’s normal for your plant to shed a few older leaves in winter. Don’t panic! You can help it conserve energy by snipping off any leaves that are fully yellow or brown. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make a clean cut near the base of the leaf stem.

Avoid any major, heavy pruning. Save that for the spring when the plant has the energy to push out lots of new growth in response.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with How to Care for Money Plant in Winter

Even with the best care, you might run into an issue or two. Don’t worry, it happens to all of us! Here’s a quick guide to diagnosing and fixing the most common winter woes.

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Why Are My Money Plant’s Leaves Turning Yellow?

This is the most frequent question I get. In 9 out of 10 cases during winter, the culprit is overwatering. The soil is staying wet for too long, and the roots are suffocating. The solution is to immediately stop watering and let the soil dry out completely. Moving forward, only water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.

What Do Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips Mean?

This is almost always a sign of low humidity. Your plant is losing moisture from its leaves faster than its roots can absorb it. Try one of the humidity-boosting methods mentioned above, like a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants.

Help! My Plant Has Long, Leggy Stems with Few Leaves.

This is called etiolation, and it’s a clear sign your plant is desperate for more light. It’s stretching itself out, searching for the sun. The fix is simple: move it to a brighter location with more indirect sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions: Your Money Plant Winter Care Guide

Can my money plant survive outside in winter?

No, absolutely not. Money plants are tropical plants and are not frost-tolerant. If you have yours on a porch or balcony during the summer, you must bring it indoors before the first frost, ideally when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 50°F (10°C).

Should I repot my money plant during winter?

It’s best to avoid it. Repotting is stressful for a plant, and it’s best done in the spring or summer when the plant is in an active growth phase and can recover quickly. Unless it’s an absolute emergency (like severe root rot), wait until spring.

Is it normal for my money plant to lose a few leaves in winter?

Yes, it’s perfectly normal for your plant to shed an occasional older leaf, especially the ones closer to the base of the stems. As long as it’s not a large number of leaves turning yellow at once and the rest of the plant looks healthy, it’s just part of its natural cycle.

How can I provide sustainable how to care for money plant in winter?

Great question! Sustainable care is all about using fewer resources. Grouping plants for natural humidity, using collected rainwater (if available and not too cold), and making your own compost to refresh the soil in spring are all wonderful, sustainable how to care for money plant in winter practices.

Your Winter Success Awaits!

See? Caring for your money plant in winter isn’t so scary after all. It’s not about complex routines or special equipment. It’s about listening to your plant and responding to its subtle seasonal shifts.

To recap, just remember the winter mantra: less water, more indirect light, no fertilizer, and a little boost of humidity. By following this how to care for money plant in winter care guide, you’re giving your leafy friend exactly what it needs to rest comfortably through the cold and burst back with vigorous new growth in the spring.

You’ve got this. Go take a look at your plant, check its soil, and feel proud that you now have the knowledge to be an amazing winter plant parent. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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