How To Take Cuttings From Money Plant – Your Foolproof Guide To

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever looked at your beautiful, cascading money plant and thought, “I wish I had more of these”? Maybe you want to fill another room with its lush green leaves, or perhaps you’d love to share the good fortune with friends and family. It’s a common feeling among plant lovers, and it points to one of the most magical aspects of gardening: creating new life from a single stem.

I promise you, learning how to take cuttings from money plant (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the easiest and most rewarding skills you can master. It sounds technical, but it’s as simple as a snip and a sip of water. Don’t worry—these plants are perfect for beginners and practically beg to be propagated!

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through every single step together. We’ll cover how to choose the perfect vine, make the right cut, root it successfully in water or soil, and care for your new baby plant. Get ready to turn your one beloved money plant into an entire green family.

Why Propagate Your Money Plant? The Many Benefits of Taking Cuttings

Before we grab our scissors, let’s talk about the amazing “why.” Propagating isn’t just about getting more plants for free, though that’s a fantastic perk! There are so many wonderful benefits of how to take cuttings from money plant that enrich your gardening journey.

  • Unlimited Free Plants: This is the most obvious benefit! Every cutting is a brand-new plant, allowing you to expand your indoor jungle without spending a dime.
  • The Perfect Gift: A rooted cutting in a cute little jar or pot is a thoughtful, personal, and living gift for birthdays, housewarmings, or just because.
  • A Healthier Mother Plant: Pruning your money plant to take cuttings actually encourages the parent plant to become fuller and bushier. It stimulates new growth points, preventing it from becoming long and “leggy.”
  • An Eco-Friendly Practice: Propagating is a truly sustainable how to take cuttings from money plant practice. You’re creating something new from what you already have, reducing waste and the need to buy commercially grown plants. It’s a beautiful, eco-friendly cycle.
  • Rescue a Struggling Plant: If your main plant is suffering from root rot or other issues, taking healthy cuttings can be a way to save its genetic line and start fresh.

Getting Started: The Essential Tools for Taking Cuttings

One of the best parts about this process is that you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment. You likely have everything you need sitting around your home right now. Simplicity is one of the best how to take cuttings from money plant tips I can give you.

Here’s your simple toolkit:

  1. A Clean, Sharp Cutting Tool: A pair of sharp scissors, pruning shears, or even a clean craft knife will work perfectly. The most important word here is clean. Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent transferring any bacteria to the fresh cut.
  2. A Propagation Vessel: For water rooting, a simple glass jar, a small vase, or even a recycled bottle will do. Something clear is best, as you can watch the magic of root growth happen!
  3. A Small Pot with Drainage: If you choose to root directly in soil, you’ll need a small 2-4 inch pot with at least one drainage hole at the bottom.
  4. Fresh Potting Mix: A standard, well-draining indoor plant potting mix is perfect. You don’t need anything special.
  5. Water: Room temperature tap water is usually fine. If your water is heavily treated, let it sit out for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate.
  6. (Optional) Rooting Hormone: This is a powdered or gel hormone that can encourage faster and stronger root development. It’s not necessary for money plants as they root so easily, but it can speed things up if you’re feeling impatient!

The Heart of the Matter: A Step-by-Step How to Take Cuttings from Money Plant Guide

Alright, let’s get to the fun part! This is the core of our how to take cuttings from money plant guide. We’ll break it down into simple, manageable steps. Follow along, and you’ll be a propagation pro in no time.

Step 1: Selecting the Perfect Vine

The success of your new plant starts with choosing a healthy cutting from the mother plant. Don’t just snip any old piece! You want to set yourself up for success from the very beginning.

Look for a vine that is healthy and mature, but not old and woody. It should have several vibrant green leaves and show active growth. Avoid any stems that look yellow, wilted, or have signs of pests.

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Most importantly, you need to identify the nodes. A node is a small, slightly raised brown bump on the stem where a leaf and an aerial root grow. This is where the new roots will sprout from. Your cutting MUST have at least one node, though 2-3 is even better.

Step 2: Making the Cut – Precision is Key

Once you’ve picked your perfect vine, it’s time to make the cut. This is where your clean, sharp tool comes in. A clean cut helps the plant heal faster and prevents disease.

You want to make your cut about half an inch to one inch below a node. Cutting below the node ensures that the rooting point is included in your new cutting. A 45-degree angle cut can slightly increase the surface area for water absorption and root growth, but a straight cut works just fine too.

After you have your cutting—which should ideally be 4-6 inches long with 2-4 leaves—gently snip off the leaf that is closest to the cut end. This is because that leaf and its node will be submerged, and leaving the leaf on can cause it to rot in the water or soil.

The Great Debate: Rooting in Water vs. Soil

You have your perfect cutting! Now, you have a choice to make. Both water and soil propagation are fantastic methods, and choosing one often comes down to personal preference. Let’s explore the how to take cuttings from money plant best practices for each.

Method 1: The Classic Water Propagation

This is my favorite method for beginners because it’s incredibly simple and you get a front-row seat to the root-growing show! It’s so satisfying to watch those little white roots emerge and grow longer each day.

  1. Place in Water: Take your cutting and place it in your glass jar or vase filled with room-temperature water.
  2. Submerge the Node: Make sure at least one node (the one you cut below) is fully submerged under the water. The remaining leaves should be above the waterline.
  3. Find the Right Spot: Place your jar in a location that receives plenty of bright, indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window is perfect. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
  4. Change the Water: This is crucial! To prevent bacterial growth and keep the water oxygenated, change it every 3-5 days, or whenever it looks cloudy.

Within 1-4 weeks, you should start to see tiny white roots sprouting from the node. Patience is key here!

Method 2: Direct to Soil Propagation

Some gardeners prefer this method because the roots that develop are already adapted to soil, which can make the transition to a permanent pot less stressful for the plant.

  1. Prepare Your Pot: Fill your small pot with a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Lightly moisten the soil with water so it’s damp, but not soggy.
  2. (Optional) Dip in Rooting Hormone: If you’re using it, pour a small amount of rooting hormone onto a plate. Dip the cut end of your money plant cutting into the powder, tapping off any excess.
  3. Plant the Cutting: Use a pencil or your finger to poke a hole in the center of the soil. Gently insert your cutting, ensuring the node is buried about an inch deep. Firm the soil around the stem to hold it in place.
  4. Create Humidity: To create a mini-greenhouse effect that encourages rooting, you can place a clear plastic bag over the pot. This traps humidity, which the cutting loves. Just be sure to remove it for an hour a day to allow for air circulation.
  5. Check for Roots: After 3-4 weeks, you can give the cutting a very gentle tug. If you feel resistance, it means roots have formed!

Aftercare: Your New Money Plant Care Guide

Congratulations, you have roots! This is a huge milestone. Now it’s time to transition your new baby plant into its permanent home. This is a critical part of the how to take cuttings from money plant care guide.

Transplanting Your Water-Rooted Cutting

Once the roots on your water-propagated cutting are about 1-2 inches long, it’s ready for soil. Don’t wait too long, as roots grown in water (hydroponic roots) are more fragile than soil roots and can have a harder time adapting if they get too long.

Choose a small pot with drainage and fill it with potting mix. Gently place your rooted cutting inside and fill in around it with soil. Water it thoroughly and place it back in its bright, indirect light spot. The key is to keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) for the first 1-2 weeks to help the roots acclimate from water to soil.

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Caring for Your Newly Potted Cutting

Your new plant might look a little droopy for a few days after being potted. This is called transplant shock, and it’s completely normal! Give it time to adjust.

Continue to provide bright, indirect light and water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Hold off on fertilizing for at least a month to avoid burning the delicate new roots. Before you know it, you’ll see new leaves unfurling, a sure sign that your propagation was a success!

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with How to Take Cuttings from Money Plant

Even with a plant as forgiving as the money plant, you might run into a little bump in the road. Don’t panic! Here are the solutions to some common problems with how to take cuttings from money plant propagation.

  • Problem: The stem is turning yellow and mushy at the bottom.
    Solution: This is likely stem rot. In water, it’s caused by not changing the water often enough. In soil, it’s from overwatering. Trim off the mushy part with clean scissors, let the cut end dry for a few hours, and try again in fresh water or soil.
  • Problem: My cutting isn’t growing any roots.
    Solution: Patience is number one! It can take up to a month. Also, ensure it’s getting enough bright, indirect light. Too little light will slow down the process. Finally, double-check that your cutting has a node, as no roots will form without one.
  • Problem: The leaves wilted right after I potted the cutting.
    Solution: This is classic transplant shock. The new roots are working hard to adjust from water to soil. Keep the soil lightly moist and give it time. You can also increase humidity by placing a plastic bag over it for a few days to help it recover.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taking Money Plant Cuttings

How long does it take for a money plant cutting to grow roots?

Typically, you’ll see the first signs of roots in 1 to 4 weeks. The speed depends on factors like light, temperature, and the health of the cutting. Warmer months usually lead to faster rooting.

Can I take a cutting from a money plant without a node?

Unfortunately, no. A piece of stem or a leaf without a node will not be able to produce new roots. The node contains the necessary cells for root and new stem generation, making it the most critical part of the cutting.

What is the best time of year to take cuttings?

You can successfully propagate a money plant any time of year, but the best and fastest results are usually seen during the spring and summer. This is the plant’s active growing season when it has the most energy for producing new roots and leaves.

Do I really need to use rooting hormone for money plant cuttings?

No, it is not necessary. Money plants are incredibly vigorous and root very easily in just water or soil. Rooting hormone can help speed up the process and may lead to a more robust root system, but it’s considered an optional booster, not a requirement.

Your Journey to a Greener Home Starts Now

See? Learning how to take cuttings from money plant is not only simple but also deeply satisfying. You’ve learned how to select the best stem, make the perfect cut, and nurture it into a brand new, thriving plant. You’ve turned one plant into many, ready to fill your home or be shared with those you love.

This is more than just a gardening technique; it’s a sustainable way to connect with nature and watch life unfold right on your windowsill. The most important tip is to have fun and not be afraid to experiment.

So go ahead, grab your scissors, and take that first step. Your lush, green, ever-growing money plant family is waiting. Happy propagating!

Rimon Chowdhury
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