How To Cut Money Plant – For Bushier Growth & Easy Propagation

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever looked at your beloved Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) and thought it’s looking a little… leggy? Maybe it’s just one long, determined vine reaching for the window, leaving the pot looking sparse. It’s a super common scenario, and you might feel hesitant to take scissors to your green friend.

I’m here to promise you that not only is it okay to prune your plant, but it’s one of the best things you can do for it! Learning how to cut money plant vines is the secret to transforming a scraggly plant into a lush, full, and vibrant showpiece. Plus, it’s how you get endless new plants for free!

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything together, just like friends in the garden. We’ll cover why pruning is so beneficial, the simple tools you’ll need, the exact spot to make your cut, and how to turn those cuttings into brand new, thriving plants. Let’s get growing!

Why Bother Cutting Your Money Plant? The Surprising Benefits

Before we grab our shears, let’s talk about the “why.” Understanding the purpose behind the prune makes the process so much more rewarding. This isn’t just about giving your plant a haircut; it’s about strategic care that pays off in spades.

The benefits of how to cut money plant correctly go far beyond just looks. When you make a cut, you’re sending a signal to the plant to redirect its energy.

  • Encourages Fuller, Bushier Growth: When you snip the end of a vine, the plant can no longer grow in that direction. It responds by activating dormant buds further back on the stem, often resulting in two or more new vines sprouting from near the cut. This is how you get that full, lush look!
  • Promotes a Healthier Plant: Pruning is your chance to remove any yellow, brown, or damaged leaves. This tidies up the plant and prevents it from wasting energy on dying foliage, directing resources to new, healthy growth instead.
  • Controls Size and Shape: Is your money plant trying to take over your living room? Regular trimming keeps it at a manageable size and allows you to shape it to fit your space perfectly, whether you want it to trail from a high shelf or climb a moss pole.
  • Propagation (Free Plants!): This is the most exciting part! Every piece you cut can be used to grow a whole new plant. It’s a fantastic, eco-friendly how to cut money plant practice that lets you fill your home with greenery or share your plant with friends and family.

Gearing Up: The Essential Tools for a Perfect Cut

Don’t worry, you don’t need a professional toolkit for this. The beauty of the Money Plant is its resilience and simplicity. You likely have everything you need right at home.

Here’s your simple checklist:

  1. A Sharp Cutting Tool: A clean, sharp pair of scissors, pruning shears, or even a craft knife will do the job perfectly. The key here is sharpness. A dull blade can crush the stem, damaging the plant’s cells and making it harder for both the mother plant and the cutting to heal and thrive.
  2. Rubbing Alcohol or Sanitizer: This is a non-negotiable step that many beginners skip. Always, always wipe your blade with rubbing alcohol before you make a cut. This sterilizes the tool and prevents the transfer of any potential bacteria or fungal diseases to the fresh wound. It’s one of the most crucial how to cut money plant best practices.
  3. A Clean Jar or Vessel for Water: If you plan to propagate your cuttings in water (which I highly recommend for beginners!), grab a clear glass jar, vase, or bottle. A clear container lets you watch for root growth, which is one of the most satisfying parts of the process!
  4. Potting Mix and a Small Pot (Optional): If you prefer to propagate directly in soil, have a small pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix ready to go.

The Ultimate How to Cut Money Plant Guide: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Alright, you’ve got your tools, and you understand the mission. Let’s get to the main event. This simple, step-by-step process will give you the confidence to make the perfect cut every time. We’re about to dive into the nitty-gritty of how to how to cut money plant vines effectively.

Step 1: Identify a Healthy, Long Vine

First, take a good look at your plant. Choose a vine that is healthy and perhaps a bit too long for your liking. You want a stem that is firm and has several vibrant green leaves. Avoid using any stems that look weak, yellow, or mushy.

READ MORE  Can A Chinese Money Plant Grow In Just Water - Your Complete Guide To

Step 2: Locate the Node (This is the Magic Spot!)

This is the most important part of the entire process. Look closely at the vine. You will see small, slightly raised brown bumps or rings where the leaf meets the stem. These are the nodes.

A node is a powerhouse of growth. It’s where new roots, leaves, and stems will emerge. Your cutting must have at least one node on it, or it will not be able to grow roots.

Pro Tip: You might even see a tiny aerial root—a small, brown nub—already starting to emerge from the node. This is a fantastic sign and means your cutting is eager to grow!

Step 3: Make the Cut

Once you’ve found a node, it’s time to snip. Using your sterilized scissors, make a clean cut about half an inch to an inch below the node. Cutting below the node ensures the node itself is part of the cutting you just took.

Your ideal cutting should be about 4-6 inches long and have between two to four leaves, plus at least one node. You can take multiple cuttings from a single long vine!

Step 4: Tidy Up Your Cutting

If there is a leaf very close to the bottom node (the one that will be submerged in water or soil), gently pinch or snip it off. Removing this bottom leaf prevents it from rotting, which can foul the water and harm your cutting. You want a clean stem with its node ready for action.

From Cutting to Plant: How to Propagate Your Money Plant Cuttings

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made your cuts! Now comes the truly magical part: creating new life. This is the heart of a sustainable how to cut money plant approach. You have two excellent, beginner-friendly options here.

Method 1: Propagating in Water (The Visual Method)

This is my favorite method for Money Plants because it’s foolproof and so fun to watch.

  1. Place in Water: Take your prepared cutting and place the stem end into your jar of clean, room-temperature water. Ensure the node (or nodes) is fully submerged, but try to keep the remaining leaves out of the water.
  2. Find a Bright Spot: Put the jar in a location that receives plenty of bright, indirect light. A spot near a window but out of the direct, harsh sun is perfect.
  3. Change the Water: To keep things fresh and prevent algae or bacteria from forming, change the water every 3-5 days. This gives your cutting fresh oxygen and a clean environment.
  4. Watch for Roots: In about 1-3 weeks, you’ll start to see little white roots sprouting from the node! It’s an amazing moment. Wait until the roots are at least an inch or two long before moving to the next step.
  5. Pot It Up: Once you have a healthy root system, you can gently transfer your new plant into a small pot with fresh potting soil. Water it well and treat it like a baby money plant!

Method 2: Propagating in Soil (The Direct Method)

This method skips the water jar and goes straight to the soil. It can be just as effective.

  1. Prepare Your Pot: Fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix. Use a pencil or your finger to poke a hole in the center.
  2. Plant the Cutting: You can dip the node-end of your cutting in rooting hormone if you have it (it’s optional but can speed things up). Gently place the cutting into the hole, ensuring the node is buried beneath the soil surface.
  3. Secure and Water: Lightly press the soil around the stem to hold it in place. Give it a good watering, allowing the excess to drain out.
  4. Keep It Humid: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. To create a humid micro-environment that encourages rooting, you can place a clear plastic bag over the pot for the first couple of weeks.
  5. Be Patient: You won’t be able to see the roots forming, so you have to trust the process. After 3-4 weeks, you can give the stem a very gentle tug. If you feel resistance, it means roots have formed!

Best Practices for a Thriving Plant: Post-Pruning Care Guide

Your work isn’t quite done! Proper aftercare for both the original “mother” plant and your new cuttings is key to success. This is the final step in our how to cut money plant care guide.

For the Mother Plant:

Don’t be alarmed if she looks a little bare right after a big prune. She will bounce back! Place her back in her usual spot and continue your normal watering routine. Within a few weeks, you should see new growth emerging near where you made your cuts. This new growth will make the plant much fuller over time.

READ MORE  Is A Chinese Money Plant A Succulent - Debunking The Myth & Pro

For Your New Cuttings:

Whether in water or soil, your new cuttings need consistent care. Keep them in bright, indirect light and ensure their environment is stable. Avoid drastic temperature changes or letting them dry out completely. Patience is your best friend here!

Troubleshooting: Common Problems With How to Cut Money Plant (And How to Fix Them)

Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Don’t be discouraged! Here are some common problems with how to cut money plant cuttings and how to solve them like a pro.

Problem: My cutting’s stem is turning yellow and mushy.

Cause: This is almost always a sign of rot, usually from the water not being changed frequently enough or the soil being too waterlogged.

Solution: If you catch it early, take the cutting out, rinse it, and use your clean scissors to snip off the mushy part. Place it in a fresh jar of water and be more diligent about water changes.

Problem: It’s been weeks and my cutting has no roots!

Cause: There are a few possibilities. The most common is that the cutting doesn’t have a node. Double-check your cutting. Other causes could be not enough light or simply a slow-to-start cutting.

Solution: First, confirm there is a node submerged. If so, try moving it to a slightly brighter location. And remember, some cuttings just take longer than others. Be patient!

Problem: The leaves on my water-propagated cutting are turning yellow.

Cause: The cutting is using the energy stored in its leaves to produce new roots. It’s normal for it to sacrifice an older leaf (usually the lowest one) in this process.

Solution: As long as it’s just one leaf and the stem and node look healthy, there’s no need to worry. Simply pinch off the yellowing leaf and continue as normal.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Cut Money Plant

How often should I cut my money plant?

You can prune your money plant whenever it starts to look leggy or overgrown. For most plants, a light trim once or twice a year, typically in the spring or summer growing season, is plenty to keep it looking full and healthy.

Can I cut a money plant without nodes?

Unfortunately, no. A piece of stem or a leaf without a node will not be able to develop roots. The node contains the necessary plant cells for new growth, so it is an essential part of any successful cutting.

What is the best time of year to cut a money plant?

The best time is during the active growing season, which is spring and summer. The plant has more energy during this time, which means the mother plant will recover faster and the cuttings will root more quickly. However, money plants are so resilient you can have success at any time of year.

Can I put multiple cuttings in one jar or pot?

Absolutely! Placing several cuttings together in one jar of water is perfectly fine. When you pot them up, planting multiple rooted cuttings in the same pot is the secret to creating a new plant that looks full and lush from day one.

Go Forth and Grow!

See? Learning how to cut money plant isn’t scary at all. In fact, it’s one of the most empowering and rewarding skills a plant parent can learn. You’re not just maintaining your plant; you’re actively shaping its health and creating new life in the process.

With a clean pair of scissors and a little bit of confidence, you can turn one leggy vine into a thriving, bushy plant and a whole new collection of green friends to brighten your home.

So go ahead, take a look at your Money Plant, find that perfect spot, and make the snip. You’ve got this, and your plant will thank you for it!

Rimon Chowdhury
Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)

Similar Posts