How To Make Money Plant Grow Big Leaves – Your Ultimate Guide To Lush

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever looked at your lovely, trailing money plant and wondered why its leaves are staying so… small? You see those stunning photos online of money plants with enormous, lush, even split leaves, and yours just seems content with its petite, heart-shaped foliage. It’s a common frustration, but I’m here to tell you a little secret: your plant has that incredible potential locked inside it, too.

I promise, you don’t need a magical green thumb to achieve this. The key is simply understanding what your money plant truly wants and giving it the conditions to mature. This isn’t just about basic care; it’s about unlocking its natural, jungle-like growth habit.

In this complete guide, we’re going to dive deep into exactly how to make money plant grow big leaves. We’ll cover the single most important factor that most people miss, nail down the perfect lighting and watering, and explore the best feeding and support practices. Get ready to transform your humble vine into a show-stopping centerpiece!

Understanding Your Money Plant: The Secret is in its Nature

Before we jump into the “how-to,” let’s talk about the “why.” Your money plant, known botanically as Epipremnum aureum and often called Pothos, isn’t naturally a delicate, hanging plant. In its native habitat in the jungles of Southeast Asia, it’s a powerful vine—an epiphyte that climbs high up the trunks of giant trees, seeking light.

This climbing behavior is the trigger for its transformation. The small leaves you see on your plant are its juvenile foliage. As the plant climbs, gets more secure, and receives more light, it begins to produce its mature foliage. This is where the magic happens: the leaves don’t just get bigger; they can even develop beautiful splits, or fenestrations, similar to a Monstera!

So, our main goal in this how to make money plant grow big leaves care guide is to mimic that natural, upward climb. When we do that, the plant feels secure and “knows” it’s time to mature.

The #1 Game-Changer: Why Your Money Plant MUST Climb

If you take only one piece of advice from this article, let it be this: give your money plant something to climb. A money plant that hangs or trails will almost always produce smaller, juvenile leaves because its vines are insecure, searching for something to grab onto.

When you provide a vertical support, the plant’s aerial roots have something to anchor into. This stability signals to the plant that it has found its “tree” and can safely invest energy into producing larger, more efficient leaves to capture more sunlight. It’s a fundamental shift in the plant’s biology.

Choosing the Right Support

Not all supports are created equal. You need something that the aerial roots can physically attach to and, ideally, draw moisture from.

  • Moss Poles: This is the gold standard. Moss poles, especially those made from sphagnum moss, can be kept moist. This provides humidity and a source of water for the aerial roots, supercharging growth and leaf size. They are the most effective way to replicate a tree trunk.
  • Wooden Planks or Trellises: A simple cedar or untreated wooden plank also works well. The rough texture gives the aerial roots something to grip. A wooden or bamboo trellis is another great option that adds a decorative touch.
  • Coir (Coconut Fiber) Poles: These are widely available and a good alternative to moss poles. While they don’t retain moisture as well as sphagnum moss, their fibrous texture is perfect for aerial roots to cling to.

How to Train Your Money Plant to Climb

Getting your plant started on its climbing journey is easy. Don’t worry—it’s a very forgiving process!

  1. Position the Support: When potting or repotting, insert the pole or plank into the back of the pot, making sure it’s stable.
  2. Gently Attach the Vine: Take the longest vine of your money plant and gently press it against the support. Secure it loosely with plant ties, twine, or velcro strips. Never tie it too tightly, as this can damage the stem.
  3. Encourage Aerial Roots: Position the vine so that the small brown nubs (the aerial roots) are pressed against the support. If using a moss pole, misting it regularly will encourage these roots to grow directly into the moss.
  4. Be Patient: It may take a few weeks, but soon the plant will take over, sending its roots into the support and climbing all on its own.
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Let There Be Light: Finding the Perfect Sun-Kissed Spot

While money plants are famously tolerant of low light, “tolerant” is not the same as “thriving.” To get those big, beautiful leaves, you need to give your plant ample energy, and that energy comes from light. This is one of the most crucial how to make money plant grow big leaves tips.

The goal is to provide lots of bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled sunlight on a jungle floor. Direct, scorching afternoon sun will burn the leaves, but a dark corner will lead to small leaves and leggy, weak growth.

Here’s what that looks like in a typical home:

  • Ideal Spot: A few feet away from a south- or west-facing window, where it gets bright light but is shielded from the harshest direct rays.
  • Great Spot: Directly in an east-facing window, where it can receive some gentle morning sun.
  • Acceptable Spot: Near a north-facing window, but be aware that leaf size may be limited by the lower light levels.

If you notice the variegation on your plant’s leaves fading, it’s a sure sign it needs more light!

The Ultimate How to Make Money Plant Grow Big Leaves Care Guide

With climbing support and proper light in place, the final pieces of the puzzle are consistent and correct care. These best practices will ensure your plant has everything it needs to focus on producing that stunning, mature foliage.

Watering Wisdom: The “Drench and Dry” Method

Overwatering is one of the most common ways people accidentally harm their money plants. They despise sitting in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. The best approach is the “drench and dry” technique.

Here’s how it works: Wait until the top 2-3 inches of the soil feel completely dry to the touch. Then, water the plant thoroughly until you see water draining from the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water from the saucer. This ensures the roots get a good drink without becoming waterlogged.

Feeding for Foliage: The Right Nutrients for Growth

A growing plant is a hungry plant! To fuel the development of large leaves, you need to provide regular nutrients. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your money plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.

Look for a fertilizer formulated for houseplants and dilute it to half-strength to avoid burning the roots. For a more sustainable how to make money plant grow big leaves approach, you can incorporate worm castings into your soil mix or use a diluted compost tea as a fantastic, eco-friendly alternative.

The Perfect Potting Mix for a Thriving Plant

Your money plant needs a potting mix that provides a balance of moisture retention and excellent drainage. Standard potting soil can be too dense on its own. A chunky, airy mix allows the roots to breathe and prevents compaction.

You can create your own ideal mix with this simple recipe:

  • 1 part high-quality indoor potting soil
  • 1 part perlite (for aeration)
  • 1 part orchid bark or coco coir chunks (for chunkiness and drainage)

Repot your plant into a container that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter when it becomes root-bound (when roots start circling the bottom of the pot). Giving it fresh soil and more space is a great way to encourage a new burst of growth.

Pruning for Power: Encouraging Stronger, Fuller Growth

Pruning might seem counterintuitive when you want more growth, but it’s a vital step. Trimming back long, leggy vines encourages the plant to become bushier and can redirect its energy toward the main vine that you are training to climb.

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Simply use a clean pair of scissors or pruners and snip any long, trailing stems just after a leaf node (the little bump where a leaf meets the stem). And the best part? Don’t throw those cuttings away! You can easily propagate them in a glass of water to create new plants for free.

Common Problems with How to Make Money Plant Grow Big Leaves (and Simple Fixes)

Even with the best care, you might run into a few hiccups. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them on your journey to giant leaves.

My leaves are still small, what am I doing wrong?

This almost always comes back to the two most important factors. First, ensure it has a sturdy support to actively climb. Second, assess its light. Slowly move it to a brighter location and see how it responds over the next few months.

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves are most often a sign of overwatering. Check the soil moisture. If it’s soggy, allow it to dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has excellent drainage.

What do brown, crispy leaf tips mean?

This is typically caused by low humidity or inconsistent watering. Try to increase the humidity around your plant by grouping it with other plants or using a small humidifier. If you’re using a moss pole, keeping it consistently moist will help significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Make Money Plant Grow Big Leaves

How long does it take to get big leaves on a money plant?

Patience is a gardener’s best friend! You may see a noticeable increase in leaf size within one growing season (3-6 months) after providing a climbing support and optimal light. Getting truly giant, fenestrated leaves can take a year or more of consistent, happy growth.

Can a money plant get big leaves just by hanging in a basket?

It is extremely rare. The lack of vertical support and security for its aerial roots keeps the plant in a permanent juvenile state. For big leaves, climbing is essential.

Do I need to mist my money plant?

While money plants appreciate humidity, misting the leaves offers only a temporary benefit and can sometimes encourage fungal issues. A more effective method for increasing humidity is to use a pebble tray, a humidifier, or to keep your climbing pole moist.

What’s the difference between a money plant and a Pothos?

They are often the same plant! “Money Plant” is a common name used for several species, but it most frequently refers to Epipremnum aureum, which is also known as Pothos. So, if you have a Golden Pothos, Marble Queen Pothos, or Neon Pothos, these tips all apply to you!

Your Journey to a Jungle-Like Money Plant Starts Now!

There you have it—the complete guide on how to make money plant grow big leaves. It’s not about a secret fertilizer or a complicated trick. It’s about understanding the plant’s wild heart and giving it what it craves most: a stable support to climb and bright, beautiful light to soak in.

By providing these key elements, you are speaking your plant’s language and giving it the confidence to mature into the magnificent, large-leafed specimen it was always meant to be. Now, go find a moss pole, pick a sunny spot, and get ready to watch the transformation begin.

Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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