Indoor Money Plant Types – A Gardener’S Guide To Thriving Varieties

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever walked into a friend’s home and spotted a lush, trailing vine cascading beautifully from a shelf, instantly making the space feel more alive and welcoming? Chances are, you’ve met a member of the beloved Money Plant family. They’re the superstars of the indoor plant world for a reason!

It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed when you realize there isn’t just one type. You might be wondering which of the many indoor money plant types is right for your home, your light conditions, and your personal style. It’s a common feeling, but don’t you worry.

I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll feel like an expert. We’re going to walk through everything together, just like two friends chatting over a cup of tea in the garden. You’ll not only discover the most popular varieties but also learn exactly how to care for them, troubleshoot common issues, and turn your home into the green oasis you’ve been dreaming of.

So, grab your gardening gloves (or just get comfy!), and let’s dive into the wonderful world of these gorgeous, easy-going plants.

What Exactly Is a Money Plant? Clearing Up the Confusion

Before we jump into the fun part—choosing your plant—let’s clear something up. The name “Money Plant” is a bit of a catch-all term used for several different species around the world, all believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.

You might hear it used for:

  • Pachira aquatica: The Money Tree, with its braided trunk and palm-like leaves.
  • Pilea peperomioides: The Chinese Money Plant, known for its cute, coin-shaped leaves.
  • Epipremnum aureum: Also known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy. This is the vining, heart-leaved plant most people picture when they say “Money Plant,” especially for indoor settings.

For this indoor money plant types guide, we’ll be focusing on Epipremnum aureum (Pothos). It’s incredibly resilient, stunningly beautiful, and perfect for gardeners of all levels. Honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding plants you can grow!

A Closer Look at the Most Popular Indoor Money Plant Types

Ready to meet the family? Each variety has its own unique personality, but they all share that signature hardiness and charm. Here’s a look at some of the most popular varieties you’ll find. This is where you can truly find a plant that speaks to your home’s aesthetic.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): The Classic Choice

This is the one you probably know and love! The Golden Pothos is the quintessential Money Plant, featuring heart-shaped green leaves generously splashed with creamy yellow or golden variegation. It’s a fast grower and incredibly forgiving.

Best for: Beginners! It’s famously hard to kill and adapts to a wide range of conditions, from bright, indirect light to lower-light corners. It will tell you exactly what it needs, making it a great teacher.

Marble Queen Pothos: The Variegated Beauty

If you love a dramatic look, the Marble Queen is your plant. Its leaves are heavily streaked and speckled with a creamy white, often looking more white than green. It’s an absolute showstopper.

Because it has less green chlorophyll, it needs a bit more light than its Golden cousin to maintain that stunning variegation. Don’t worry—it’s still very easy to care for! Just give it a spot with consistent, bright, indirect sunlight.

Best for: Adding a bright, high-contrast element to a room. It looks incredible in a hanging basket where its marbled leaves can be fully appreciated.

Neon Pothos: A Pop of Electric Color

Talk about a statement piece! The Neon Pothos has electrifying, chartreuse-green leaves that seem to glow from within. There’s no variegation here, just pure, vibrant, solid color. The younger leaves are brighter and mellow slightly as they age.

To keep its color at its most vibrant, give it plenty of bright, indirect light. In lower light, the leaves will darken to a duller green. It’s a fantastic way to bring a splash of living color to your decor.

Best for: Modern spaces or anyone looking to add an unexpected pop of color. It contrasts beautifully against dark-colored walls or furniture.

Jade Pothos: The Deep Green Workhorse

The Jade Pothos is the elegant, understated member of the family. It features solid, deep green, heart-shaped leaves with a lovely waxy sheen. There’s no variegation, just pure, rich green.

Because its leaves are packed with chlorophyll, the Jade Pothos is one of the most tolerant of low-light conditions. While it still prefers bright, indirect light, it will happily maintain its beautiful color in shadier spots where other varieties might struggle.

READ MORE  How To Propagate A Japanese Money Plant: A Foolproof Step-By-Step

Best for: Lower-light offices, north-facing rooms, or for a minimalist aesthetic that calls for a touch of deep, natural green.

Pearls and Jade Pothos: The Dainty Darling

A lovely cultivar developed by the University of Florida, Pearls and Jade has smaller, grayish-green leaves with irregular splotches of white and cream, often concentrated on the edges. You’ll also see some lovely green-on-green speckling.

It’s a slower grower than the Golden or Marble Queen, making it a more compact and manageable plant. It needs good, bright, indirect light to keep its distinct variegation looking its best.

Best for: Smaller spaces, desktops, or shelves where its delicate and detailed foliage can be admired up close.

Manjula Pothos: The Ruffled Showstopper

Manjula is another patented variety that is truly special. Its heart-shaped leaves have wonderful wavy or ruffled edges, giving it a softer, fuller appearance. The variegation is a painterly mix of cream, silver, white, and green, with no two leaves looking exactly alike.

Like other highly variegated types, Manjula needs consistent bright, indirect light to thrive. It’s a bit of a collector’s item but is becoming much more common, and its unique texture makes it worth the search.

Best for: The plant parent who wants something a little different and appreciates unique foliage textures.

Your Essential Indoor Money Plant Types Care Guide

Alright, you’ve picked your favorite! Now, let’s talk about how to keep it happy. The wonderful thing is that the basic indoor money plant types care guide is pretty much the same across all these varieties. Here are the best practices I’ve learned over years of growing them.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Light Requirements

Money Plants are champions of adaptability. They thrive in bright, indirect light—think a few feet away from an east-facing window or in a room with a south-facing window. They can tolerate lower light, but their growth will slow, and variegated types might lose some of their beautiful coloring.

Pro Tip: Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, which can scorch their leaves and leave brown, crispy patches. If you see this, just move your plant back a foot or two from the window.

The Art of Watering: Less is More

This is the #1 rule for happy Money Plants: it’s better to under-water than to over-water. They absolutely hate sitting in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings.

A simple way to check is to stick your finger into the soil. If it feels dry up to your first knuckle, it’s time to water. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot, then discard any excess water from the saucer.

The Perfect Home: Soil and Potting

Your Money Plant needs a pot with a drainage hole. This is non-negotiable! As for soil, they aren’t too fussy. A standard, high-quality indoor potting mix is perfect. For extra credit, you can mix in a handful of perlite or orchid bark to improve aeration and drainage.

Feeding Your Friend: Fertilizer Tips

These plants aren’t heavy feeders. During the growing season (spring and summer), you can feed them with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month. In the fall and winter, you can stop fertilizing as the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Pruning for a Fuller, Happier Plant

If your plant starts to look a little long and “leggy,” don’t be afraid to give it a haircut! Pruning encourages bushier growth. Simply snip off any long, trailing stems right after a leaf node. And the best part? You can pop those cuttings in water to grow a whole new plant!

The Wonderful Benefits of Indoor Money Plant Types in Your Home

Beyond their good looks, bringing these plants into your home has some fantastic perks. The benefits of indoor money plant types go far beyond simple decoration.

  • Air Purification: Money Plants are renowned for their ability to filter airborne toxins. A famous NASA study found they are effective at removing pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene from the air.
  • Boosts Well-being: Caring for a plant can be incredibly therapeutic. Watching it grow and thrive provides a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature, which can reduce stress.
  • Incredibly Forgiving: Their easy-care nature makes them perfect for boosting the confidence of new plant parents. Success with a Money Plant often opens the door to a lifelong love of gardening!
  • Symbol of Prosperity: In many cultures, particularly in Feng Shui, the Money Plant is believed to attract wealth, prosperity, and positive energy. Whether you believe it or not, it’s a lovely sentiment!
READ MORE  How To Care For Bamboo Money Plant - Your Complete Guide For Thriving,

Solving Common Problems with Indoor Money Plant Types

Even the easiest plants can have an off day. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide for some common problems with indoor money plant types. Don’t panic—these are usually very easy to fix!

Why Are My Leaves Turning Yellow?

This is almost always a sign of overwatering. The soil is staying wet for too long, and the roots can’t breathe. Let the soil dry out more between waterings. If an older, lower leaf turns yellow and drops occasionally, that’s just the plant’s natural life cycle.

What Causes Brown, Crispy Tips?

This typically points to underwatering or low humidity. The plant is getting too dry before you water it again. Try to be a bit more consistent with your watering schedule. If your home’s air is very dry, grouping plants together or using a small humidifier can help.

Help! My Plant is Leggy and Thin.

A “leggy” plant—one with long, bare stems between the leaves—is stretching to find more light. It’s a clear sign that it needs a brighter spot. Move it closer to a window, and don’t forget to prune it back to encourage fuller growth.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Indoor Money Plant Types Practices

Being a green-thumbed gardener also means being kind to our planet. Embracing sustainable indoor money plant types practices is easy and rewarding.

One of the best eco-friendly indoor money plant types tips is propagation. Instead of buying a new plant, you can easily create more from the one you have! Just take a cutting with a few leaves and a node (the little bump on the stem) and place it in a jar of water. In a few weeks, you’ll see roots, and you’ll have a new plant to keep or share with a friend.

Consider using organic fertilizers, making your own compost, or choosing a peat-free potting mix to further reduce your environmental footprint. Reusing old nursery pots or thrifting for unique planters is another great way to be sustainable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indoor Money Plant Types

Can I grow a money plant in just water?

Yes, you absolutely can! Pothos cuttings root beautifully in water and can live that way for a very long time. Just be sure to change the water every week or so to keep it fresh and oxygenated, and add a very diluted drop of liquid fertilizer once a month to provide nutrients.

Are money plants toxic to pets?

Yes, they are. According to the ASPCA, Pothos plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation to the mouth, lips, and stomach if ingested by cats or dogs. It’s best to place them on high shelves or in hanging planters, safely out of reach of curious pets.

How fast do money plants grow?

In ideal conditions (bright, indirect light, warm temperatures, and consistent watering), a Money Plant can grow very quickly, putting out several inches of new growth a month during the spring and summer. In lower light, its growth will be much slower.

Your Green Journey Begins!

There you have it—everything you need to know to choose and grow a beautiful indoor Money Plant. From the classic Golden Pothos to the striking Manjula, there’s a perfect variety waiting to brighten up your space.

Remember, the most important part of gardening is to enjoy the process. These plants are wonderfully resilient and will forgive you as you learn. They ask for very little but give so much in return—beauty, cleaner air, and a touch of green serenity.

Now you have a complete indoor money plant types guide at your fingertips. Go ahead, pick the one that caught your eye, and start your growing adventure. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)

Similar Posts