How To Look After Money Plant Indoors For Lush, Cascading Growth &

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever walked into a friend’s home or a cozy café and felt an instant sense of calm, drawn in by the sight of lush, green vines tumbling gracefully from a shelf? Chances are, you were admiring the beautiful and resilient Money Plant. It’s a classic for a reason, and you might have thought, “I wish I could grow something that looks so effortlessly vibrant.”

Well, I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can! My name is [Your Name], and as a lifelong gardener and the founder of Greeny Gardener, I’ve nurtured countless houseplants from tiny cuttings to sprawling beauties. The Money Plant, or Epipremnum aureum, is one of the most forgiving and rewarding plants you can welcome into your home. Don’t worry—these plants are perfect for beginners!

I promise this guide will give you all the confidence and knowledge you need. We’ll explore everything from the foundational care routine to solving common problems and even some sustainable practices. By the end, you’ll have a complete understanding of how to look after money plant indoors, turning your space into the green sanctuary you’ve been dreaming of.

Why a Money Plant is the Perfect Indoor Companion

Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s talk about the “why.” Known by many names—Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Ceylon Creeper—this plant is more than just a pretty face. Understanding the benefits of how to look after money plant indoors will make your gardening journey even more rewarding.

First and foremost, it’s an incredibly forgiving plant. If you forget to water it once in a while or don’t have the sunniest spot in the house, it will likely bounce back with a little TLC. This makes it the ideal starting point for anyone new to the world of houseplants.

Beyond its resilience, the Money Plant is a renowned air purifier. A famous NASA Clean Air Study identified it as one of the best plants for removing indoor pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene from the air. It literally helps you breathe easier!

And of course, there’s the aesthetic appeal. Its heart-shaped leaves and vining nature allow for incredible versatility. You can let it trail down from a bookshelf, climb up a moss pole for a vertical accent, or keep it pruned and bushy on a desktop. Many cultures also associate it with good luck, prosperity, and positive energy, adding a wonderful layer of meaning to its presence in your home.

The Complete How to Look After Money Plant Indoors Care Guide

Alright, let’s get our hands dirty! Nurturing a thriving Money Plant comes down to getting a few key elements right. Think of these as the golden rules. This section is your go-to how to look after money plant indoors care guide for building a strong foundation.

Choosing the Right Pot & Soil

Success starts from the ground up. Your Money Plant isn’t too fussy, but it hates “wet feet,” which is gardener-speak for roots sitting in water. This can quickly lead to root rot, the number one killer of so many houseplants.

Your best friend here is a pot with at least one good drainage hole. This is non-negotiable! It allows excess water to escape freely. As for size, choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the plant’s current root ball. A pot that’s too large holds excess moisture, increasing the risk of rot.

For the soil, you need something light and airy. A standard, high-quality indoor potting mix works well. To give it an extra boost, I love to create my own simple mix:

  • 2 parts standard potting soil
  • 1 part perlite (for aeration)
  • 1 part orchid bark or coco coir (to improve drainage and structure)

This blend ensures the roots get the oxygen they need while retaining just the right amount of moisture.

Mastering Light and Location

Finding the perfect spot is one of the most important how to look after money plant indoors tips. Money Plants thrive in bright, indirect light. But what does that actually mean?

Imagine the dappled light under a large tree on a sunny day—that’s the kind of light it loves. The ideal location is often a few feet away from an east-facing window, where it gets gentle morning sun. A spot near a north-facing window also works wonderfully.

You must protect your plant from harsh, direct afternoon sun (like from a south or west-facing window), which can easily scorch the leaves, leaving brown, crispy patches. On the flip side, while it can tolerate low light, its growth will slow, and if you have a variegated variety (with white or yellow markings), it may lose that beautiful coloring and revert to solid green.

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Watering Wisdom: Less is More

If you take away just one thing from this guide, let it be this: it is far easier to save an under-watered Money Plant than an over-watered one.

The golden rule for watering is to allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. Don’t just guess—stick your finger into the soil to check! If it feels damp, wait a few more days. When it’s time to water, do it thoroughly. Take the plant to a sink and give it a good drink until water runs freely from the drainage hole. Then, let it drain completely before placing it back in its decorative pot or saucer.

How often you water will depend on the light, temperature, and humidity in your home. It might be once a week in the summer and as little as every 2-3 weeks in the winter when the plant’s growth slows down.

Temperature and Humidity Needs

Money Plants are tropical natives, so they appreciate warmth and humidity. They are happiest in typical indoor temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C). Try to keep them away from cold drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning vents.

While they do fine in average household humidity, giving them a little boost will result in larger leaves and more robust growth. Here are a few easy ways to increase humidity:

  1. Mist the leaves with a spray bottle every few days.
  2. Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water (ensure the pot sits on the pebbles, not in the water).
  3. Group it with other plants, as they create a more humid micro-environment together.
  4. Use a small humidifier in the room.

Advanced Tips: Feeding, Pruning, and Propagating

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start incorporating a few simple techniques to encourage even more spectacular growth. These are some of the how to look after money plant indoors best practices that take your plant from surviving to truly thriving.

How to Fertilize Your Money Plant

Think of fertilizer as a vitamin supplement for your plant. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your Money Plant with a balanced, all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer. Dilute it to half the recommended strength on the label to avoid burning the roots.

A good routine is to fertilize once every 4-6 weeks. In the fall and winter, the plant’s growth naturally slows, so you can stop fertilizing until spring arrives. Remember, more fertilizer is not better and can do more harm than good.

Pruning for a Fuller, Bushier Plant

Does your Money Plant look a little long and stringy? This is often called “leggy” growth. The solution is simple and a little bit magical: pruning!

Don’t be afraid to give your plant a haircut. Trimming the vines encourages the plant to branch out, creating a much fuller and bushier appearance. Using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, simply snip off any long, trailing stems. Make your cut just after a leaf node (the little bump on the stem where a leaf grows). You can trim it back as much as you like to maintain your desired shape and size.

The Joy of Propagation: More Plants for Free!

One of the most exciting things about Money Plants is how incredibly easy they are to propagate. Every piece you prune can become a brand new plant!

  1. Take a cutting that is at least 4-6 inches long and has 2-3 leaf nodes.
  2. Remove the leaf from the lowest node (the one that will be submerged).
  3. Place the cutting in a glass jar of water, ensuring at least one node is underwater.
  4. Put the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light.
  5. Change the water every few days, and within a few weeks, you’ll see new roots begin to sprout!
  6. Once the roots are an inch or two long, you can plant your new baby Money Plant in soil.

Solving Common Problems with How to Look After Money Plant Indoors

Even with the best care, you might encounter an issue or two. Don’t panic! Here’s a quick guide to diagnosing and fixing the most common problems with how to look after money plant indoors.

Problem: Yellowing Leaves

This is the most common complaint. The number one cause is overwatering. Check the soil—if it’s soggy, let it dry out completely before watering again. Yellow leaves can also be a sign of underwatering (the leaves will also feel dry and wilted) or a nutrient deficiency (if you haven’t fertilized in a long time).

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Problem: Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips or Edges

This is usually a sign of dry air. Your plant is craving more humidity! Try one of the humidity-boosting tips mentioned earlier. It can also be caused by inconsistent watering or mineral buildup from tap water. Try using filtered or distilled water.

Problem: Leggy Growth with Small Leaves

If your plant has long, bare stems between the leaves, it’s not getting enough light. It’s literally “stretching” to find more sun. Move it to a brighter location and prune it back to encourage fuller growth.

Problem: Pests

Money Plants are quite pest-resistant, but occasionally they might attract mealybugs (small, white, cottony spots) or spider mites (tiny webs on the undersides of leaves). For a simple, eco-friendly solution, wipe the pests off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or spray the plant with a gentle insecticidal soap or neem oil solution.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Money Plant Care

As gardeners, we are stewards of the earth, and that can start right in our living rooms. Adopting a few sustainable how to look after money plant indoors practices is easy and impactful.

Instead of relying solely on tap water, consider collecting rainwater—it’s free of the chemicals found in municipal water. You can also use “greywater” from rinsing vegetables or boiling pasta (once it has cooled, of course!).

For pest control, always reach for natural solutions like neem oil before considering chemical pesticides, which is better for your home’s air quality and the environment. When it’s time to repot, look for peat-free potting mixes, as peat moss harvesting is environmentally destructive. Better yet, create your own mix with sustainable ingredients like coco coir.

Finally, get creative with your planters! Upcycle old ceramic mugs, tea tins, or glass jars into charming homes for your Money Plant cuttings. Just be sure to add drainage holes if needed.

Your Money Plant Questions, Answered

Why is my money plant not growing?

The most common reasons for stunted growth are insufficient light, a need for fertilizer, or being “root-bound.” If the plant has been in the same pot for years, its roots may have filled the entire space, leaving no room to grow. Check the drainage holes—if you see roots poking out, it’s time to repot into a slightly larger container.

Can I grow a money plant in water forever?

Yes, you can! This is a popular and beautiful way to display it. However, growth will be much slower than in soil. Since water has no nutrients, you’ll need to add a very small amount of diluted liquid fertilizer to the water every 4-6 weeks to keep it healthy.

Is the Money Plant toxic to pets?

Yes, it is important to know that the Money Plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Chewing on the leaves can cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. It’s best to place your plant on a high shelf or in a hanging basket, safely out of reach of curious pets.

Your Journey to a Thriving Indoor Garden

You’ve made it! You now have all the expert knowledge and practical steps needed to confidently care for your Money Plant. Remember the core pillars: provide bright, indirect light; water only when the topsoil is dry; and use a well-draining soil mix.

More than anything, enjoy the process. Watching a new leaf unfurl or a vine grow longer is one of the simple, profound joys of gardening. The Money Plant is a patient teacher and a beautiful, living piece of art for your home.

So go ahead, bring that gorgeous green vine into your space. With this how to look after money plant indoors guide in your back pocket, you’re more than ready to watch it flourish. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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