How To Grow Money Plant In Water Faster Indoors: 7 Pro Secrets For

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever snipped a beautiful vine from a money plant, placed it in a pretty glass jar, and then… waited? And waited? It’s a common story among gardeners: you’re filled with excitement, only to watch your cutting sit stubbornly in the water for weeks with no signs of roots.

I’ve been there, my friend, staring at that jar and wondering if I missed a secret step. But what if I told you there are simple, proven techniques to coax those roots out and supercharge their growth? You don’t have to just hope for the best.

In this complete guide, I promise to share the exact methods I use to get lush, thriving money plants from cuttings in record time. We’ll cover everything from selecting the perfect cutting to mastering the water environment and implementing pro-level tips. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to grow money plant in water faster indoors and turn your home into a green oasis.

Why Grow a Money Plant in Water? The Simple Joys and Benefits

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Growing a money plant (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos, in water isn’t just a propagation method—it’s a delightful experience in itself.

One of the biggest benefits of how to grow money plant in water faster indoors is the visual appeal. There’s something magical about watching those first white roots emerge from the node and gracefully snake through the water. It’s like a living science experiment right on your windowsill!

Beyond the beauty, it’s incredibly low-maintenance. You don’t have to worry about soil types, overwatering, or underwatering. This makes it a perfect project for beginners and a wonderful way to add greenery to small spaces like office desks or bookshelves. It’s a truly sustainable how to grow money plant in water faster indoors method, allowing you to create new plants from your existing ones for free.

The Foundation of Fast Growth: Selecting and Preparing the Perfect Cutting

Your success story begins long before the cutting ever touches the water. A healthy, well-prepared cutting is 90% of the battle. Rushing this step is a mistake I see many new gardeners make.

Choosing a Healthy Mother Plant

Start with a thriving, mature money plant. Look for a plant with vibrant, green leaves and strong, flexible vines. Avoid any vines that look yellow, wilted, or show signs of pests. A healthy parent produces healthy offspring!

The Secret is in the Node

This is the most crucial part! A money plant cutting will not grow roots without a node. A node is a small, slightly raised brown bump on the vine where a leaf and an aerial root grow. This is the powerhouse where new roots will sprout.

When you look at your vine, trace a leaf back to the main stem. That junction point is the node. Always make sure your cutting has at least one, though two or three is even better for a fuller future plant.

Making the Perfect Cut

Ready to snip? Let’s do it right.

  1. Sterilize Your Tools: Always use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears. Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent transferring any diseases to the mother plant or your new cutting.
  2. Identify Your Cut Point: Find a healthy vine with several leaves. Locate a node. You will make your cut about a half-inch to an inch below the node.
  3. Snip with Confidence: Make a clean, swift cut at a 45-degree angle. This slightly increases the surface area for water absorption.
  4. Prepare the Cutting: Your cutting should be about 4-6 inches long with 2-4 leaves. Carefully remove the leaf closest to the cut end. This is important because any leaves submerged in water will rot, fouling the water and hindering root growth.

The Complete How to Grow Money Plant in Water Faster Indoors Guide

With your perfect cutting in hand, you’re ready for the main event. This step-by-step how to grow money plant in water faster indoors guide breaks down the process into simple, actionable steps.

Step 1: Choose Your Vessel

A clear glass jar, vase, or bottle is ideal. Why? Because it allows you to monitor root growth without disturbing the cutting. Watching the progress is part of the fun! While a dark-colored glass can help inhibit algae growth, it’s not a necessity if you follow our water-changing tips.

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Step 2: The Water Matters More Than You Think

You might think any water will do, but the type of water can make a real difference. Most tap water contains chlorine, which can be harsh on a delicate cutting. The easy fix? Simply fill your jar with tap water and let it sit out, uncovered, for 24 hours. This allows the chlorine to evaporate.

For an extra boost, use filtered water, distilled water, or even collected rainwater. These are free of chemicals and minerals that could slow down the rooting process.

Step 3: Place the Cutting in Water

Gently place your prepared cutting into the jar of water. Ensure that at least one bare node is fully submerged. Remember, the leaves must stay out of the water. If they’re touching, you may need to trim another leaf or use a taller, narrower vessel.

Step 4: Find the “Goldilocks” Spot (Light and Temperature)

Where you place your jar is critical. Money plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. A spot near an east-facing window is perfect, as it gets gentle morning sun. Avoid direct, scorching sunlight, which can burn the leaves and heat the water, encouraging bacterial growth.

They also prefer warmth. Keep your cutting in a room that stays between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid placing it near drafty windows or air conditioning vents.

7 Pro Tips to Supercharge Root Growth

Alright, you’ve mastered the basics. Now for the secrets that will truly accelerate the process. These are the how to grow money plant in water faster indoors tips that separate a slow-growing cutting from a rapidly rooting one.

  1. Change the Water Religiously: Stagnant water loses oxygen and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause rot. Change the water every 2-3 days. This single step is the most effective way to ensure fast, healthy root growth.
  2. Add a “Nurse” Plant: This is my favorite trick! Add a cutting from an extremely fast-rooting plant, like a Wandering Dude (Tradescantia zebrina) or Willow, to the same jar. These plants release natural rooting hormones into the water, encouraging your money plant to root faster.
  3. Use Rooting Hormone (Optional): For a serious boost, you can dip the cut end of your vine in rooting hormone powder before placing it in water. A little goes a long way—just a light dusting is all you need.
  4. Create a Mini Greenhouse: To increase humidity, you can place a clear plastic bag over the top of the cutting and jar. This traps moisture and creates a humid microclimate that encourages growth. Just be sure to remove it for an hour a day to allow for air circulation.
  5. Warmth is Your Friend: A consistently warm spot can speed up the rooting process. You can place the jar on a plant propagation mat or simply in a warm area of your home, like on top of the refrigerator.
  6. Add a Drop of Liquid Fertilizer (With Caution): Once you see roots that are at least an inch long, you can add a tiny, highly diluted drop of balanced liquid fertilizer to the water. This provides nutrients for faster leaf and vine growth. Be very careful—too much will burn the delicate new roots.
  7. Patience and Observation: While these tips speed things up, nature still needs time. Check on your cutting daily. Celebrate the first tiny root nub! Observing the process connects you to your plant and helps you learn its needs.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with How to Grow Money Plant in Water Faster Indoors

Even with the best care, you might run into a snag. Don’t worry! Here’s how to solve the most common problems with how to grow money plant in water faster indoors.

Problem: My Cutting is Turning Yellow or Mushy at the Bottom

This is a classic sign of rot. It usually means the water wasn’t changed often enough or a leaf was left submerged.

Solution: Immediately take the cutting out of the water. With your sterile scissors, snip off any soft, mushy, or black parts. Rinse the healthy part of the cutting well. Thoroughly clean the jar with soap and water, then refill it with fresh, dechlorinated water and try again.

Problem: The Water is Cloudy or Smells Bad

This indicates bacterial or algae growth.

Solution: Change the water immediately. Wash the jar and the submerged part of the cutting with a bit of mild soap and rinse thoroughly before putting it back in fresh water. Increase the frequency of your water changes.

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Problem: It’s Been Weeks and I See No Roots!

This can be frustrating, but there’s usually a clear reason.

Solution: First, double-check that your cutting has a node and that the node is submerged. Second, assess the light. Is it getting enough bright, indirect light? If not, move it to a brighter location. Finally, check the temperature. If the room is too cold, growth will be very slow.

Transitioning from Water to Soil: The Next Chapter

While a money plant can live in water for a long time, transferring it to soil will allow it to grow much larger and more robust. The trick is to do it without shocking the delicate “water roots.”

Wait until the roots are at least 1-2 inches long and have started to branch out. Choose a small pot with drainage holes and fill it with a well-draining indoor potting mix. Plant your rooted cutting, and then—this is the key—keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first couple of weeks. This helps the roots transition from their aquatic life to their new home in the soil.

Your Questions Answered: How to Grow Money Plant in Water Faster Indoors Care Guide

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

Under normal conditions, you can expect to see the first signs of roots within 2-4 weeks. By following the “pro tips” in this guide, especially keeping the water fresh and warm, you can often see roots emerge in as little as 7-10 days.

Can I add anything else to the water to make my money plant grow faster?

Yes! Besides the optional rooting hormone or diluted fertilizer (once roots appear), adding a “nurse” cutting from a fast-rooting plant like a Wandering Dude is a fantastic, all-natural way to boost growth. A small piece of charcoal can also be added to the bottom of the jar to help keep the water fresh.

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

A single yellow leaf at the bottom is often normal, as the cutting diverts energy to root production. However, if multiple leaves are turning yellow, it could be a sign of too much direct sunlight, not enough light, or the beginning of rot at the stem. Assess its location and check the stem’s health immediately.

Can a money plant live in water forever?

Absolutely! This is a practice known as hydroponics. To keep it healthy long-term in water, you will need to change the water weekly and add a balanced liquid fertilizer formulated for hydroponics every 4-6 weeks. It won’t grow as large as a soil-grown plant, but it will remain a beautiful, low-maintenance piece of decor.

Go Forth and Grow!

You now have all the knowledge and expert secrets you need to master the art of water propagation. Growing a money plant this way is one of the most rewarding and eco-friendly how to grow money plant in water faster indoors projects you can undertake. It connects you with the simple, powerful magic of nature.

Remember the key takeaways: start with a great cutting with a node, use clean water and change it often, provide bright indirect light, and keep it warm. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the pro tips to see what works best in your home.

So grab your scissors, find a beautiful jar, and start your water-growing journey today. You’ve got this. Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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