Jade Plant Vs Money Plant: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your Perfect

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever stood in a plant nursery, caught between two iconic green beauties? On one side, the sturdy, tree-like Jade Plant. On the other, the cascading, leafy Money Plant. Both are rumored to bring good fortune, but you’re left wondering which one will bring you more luck… or simply be easier to keep alive.

I get it. As a fellow gardener who has nurtured both of these gems for years, I know the choice can be confusing. They seem similar at first glance, but their personalities and needs are worlds apart.

That’s why I’ve created this comprehensive guide to finally settle the great jade plant vs money plant debate for you. We’re going to dig deep into their differences, care routines, common problems, and unique benefits.

By the end of this post, you won’t just have an answer; you’ll have the confidence to choose the perfect green companion that will thrive in your specific home environment. Let’s get growing!

Meet the Contenders: What’s the Difference, Really?

Before we dive into the care details, let’s get formally introduced. Knowing their true nature is the first step in our jade plant vs money plant guide. They might share a reputation for prosperity, but they come from very different plant families.

The Sturdy Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Think of the Jade Plant as a miniature, wise old tree. It’s a succulent, which is a huge clue to its personality. Its scientific name is Crassula ovata, and it hails from South Africa.

Its most recognizable features are its thick, woody stems and glossy, oval-shaped, fleshy leaves that store water. This water-hoarding ability is what makes it so resilient and relatively low-maintenance. It grows upright, eventually taking on a beautiful, bonsai-like appearance with age.

The Vining Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

The Money Plant, on the other hand, is a lush, tropical vine. It’s most commonly known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy. This plant is a true adventurer, happy to climb a moss pole or trail gracefully from a hanging basket.

Its leaves are typically heart-shaped and can be solid green or beautifully variegated with splashes of yellow, white, or cream. Unlike the Jade, it’s not a succulent. It loves humidity and has a more classic “houseplant” feel, with thin, flexible vines that can grow incredibly long.

Pro Tip: Don’t confuse this Money Plant with the “Money Tree” (Pachira aquatica), which is a completely different plant with a braided trunk! We’re focusing on the vining Pothos today.

Jade Plant vs Money Plant: A Detailed Care Guide

This is where the rubber meets the road. Understanding how to care for a jade plant vs money plant is key to your success. Their needs are almost opposite in some cases, so paying attention here will save you a lot of guesswork!

Light Requirements

Jade Plant: As a succulent, the Jade Plant is a sun-worshipper. It craves at least four to six hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day. A south-facing or west-facing window is often the perfect spot. If it doesn’t get enough light, it can become “leggy,” stretching out with sparse leaves.

Money Plant (Pothos): This is where the Money Plant shines for beginners. It’s incredibly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from bright, indirect light to low-light corners of your home. However, be aware that variegated varieties might lose some of their coloring in very low light.

Watering Wisdom

This is the most critical difference and where most new plant parents go wrong. Here are some jade plant vs money plant tips for watering:

Jade Plant: The golden rule is “less is more.” Because it stores water in its leaves, it’s highly susceptible to root rot from overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. In practice, this might mean watering once every 2-4 weeks, depending on the season and your home’s humidity.

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Money Plant (Pothos): This plant is thirstier. It prefers its soil to be consistently moist but not waterlogged. A good strategy is to water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. It’s more forgiving of a little extra water than the Jade, but don’t let it sit in a saucer of water.

The Perfect Soil and Potting Mix

Jade Plant: Drainage is everything! Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix. You can even amend regular potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to improve aeration and prevent water from lingering around the roots.

Money Plant (Pothos): A standard, high-quality all-purpose potting mix works perfectly. It holds a bit more moisture than a succulent mix, which this tropical vine appreciates. Ensure your pot has a drainage hole—that’s a non-negotiable for both plants!

Feeding and Fertilizing

Jade Plant: It’s a light feeder. Fertilize it with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer formulated for succulents just 2-3 times during the spring and summer growing season. Avoid fertilizing in the fall and winter when its growth slows down.

Money Plant (Pothos): It benefits from more regular feeding. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half-strength every 4-6 weeks during the spring and summer. Like the Jade, give it a break during the dormant winter months.

Symbolism and Benefits of Jade Plant vs Money Plant

Beyond their good looks, both plants are steeped in symbolism and offer tangible benefits, making them wonderful additions to any home or office.

Feng Shui and Good Fortune

In the world of Feng Shui, both plants are considered lucky. The Jade Plant’s coin-like leaves are thought to attract wealth and prosperity. It’s often placed near the entrance of a home or business to welcome success.

The Money Plant is also a powerful symbol of good fortune. Its trailing vines are seen as a way to spread positive energy and abundance throughout a space. It’s a popular choice for improving the flow of energy (chi) in a room.

Air-Purifying Powerhouses

Here, the Money Plant has a scientifically-backed edge. It was famously included in NASA’s Clean Air Study and is proven to be effective at removing indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.

While the Jade Plant is not known for its air-purifying prowess, like all plants, it contributes to a healthier indoor environment by converting carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen.

Common Problems with Jade Plant vs Money Plant (and How to Fix Them!)

Don’t worry—every gardener runs into issues! The key is knowing what to look for. Here’s a look at the most common problems with jade plant vs money plant.

The Overwatering Curse: Yellow Leaves and Root Rot

For Jades: Mushy stems and yellow, dropping leaves are classic signs of too much water. If you suspect root rot, gently remove the plant, trim any black, mushy roots, and repot in fresh, dry succulent soil. Then, be much more sparing with water going forward.

For Money Plants: Yellowing leaves can also signal overwatering. If the soil is constantly soggy, let it dry out more between waterings. Brown, crispy leaf edges, on the other hand, often mean it’s too dry!

Pesky Pests

Jade Plants: Keep an eye out for mealybugs, which look like tiny white cottony specks, especially in the crevices where leaves meet the stem. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol for a quick, eco-friendly fix.

Money Plants: These can sometimes attract spider mites or scale. A simple solution is to wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth or spray the plant with a gentle insecticidal soap.

Leggy or Sparse Growth

For both plants, “legginess” (long, stretched-out stems with few leaves) is a cry for more light. Move your plant to a brighter location. You can also prune it back to encourage bushier, more compact growth. Don’t throw those cuttings away—propagate them!

Propagation Power: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Plant Parenting

One of the greatest joys of owning these plants is how easy they are to propagate. This is the heart of sustainable jade plant vs money plant ownership—creating new life from your existing plants to share with friends or expand your collection for free!

How to Propagate a Jade Plant

  1. Gently twist off a healthy leaf or take a 3-4 inch stem cutting.
  2. Let the cutting sit in a dry place for a few days until the cut end forms a callus. This is crucial to prevent rot.
  3. Place the callused end on top of or slightly into dry succulent soil.
  4. Wait. Roots will eventually sprout from the callused end. Only start misting lightly once you see root growth.
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How to Propagate a Money Plant

  1. Take a stem cutting that has at least 2-3 leaves and one or two nodes (the small brown bumps on the stem where roots grow).
  2. Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.
  3. Put the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light.
  4. Change the water every few days, and in a few weeks, you’ll see roots! Once they are an inch or two long, you can plant it in soil.

So, Which Plant Should You Choose? A Quick Recap

Feeling clearer? Let’s boil it down. This final section of our jade plant vs money plant care guide will help you make the final call.

  • Choose a Jade Plant if: You have a sunny window, you’re a “forgetful” waterer, you love a structured, tree-like aesthetic, and you have the patience to watch it grow slowly over years.
  • Choose a Money Plant (Pothos) if: Your home has lower light conditions, you prefer a more hands-on watering routine, you love the look of a lush, trailing vine, and you want a fast-growing plant that gives you quick results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jade and Money Plants

Which plant is better for beginners?

While both are considered easy, the Money Plant (Pothos) is generally more forgiving for absolute beginners. Its tolerance for low light and its tendency to visibly droop when thirsty make it easier to read and care for.

Are Jade Plants and Money Plants toxic to pets?

Yes, unfortunately, both plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. The Jade Plant can cause vomiting and lethargy, while the Money Plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and stomach. It’s best to keep them out of reach of curious pets and children.

Why are my Jade Plant’s leaves falling off?

Leaf drop on a Jade Plant is a common cry for help. The most frequent causes are overwatering or underwatering. It can also be a sign of sudden temperature changes or insufficient light. Check the soil moisture first, then assess its location.

Can I grow a Money Plant in just water?

Absolutely! A Money Plant can live happily in a vase of water for a long time. This is a beautiful, low-maintenance way to display it. Just remember to change the water weekly and add a very diluted drop of liquid fertilizer once a month to provide nutrients.

The Final Verdict

In the friendly competition of jade plant vs money plant, there is no single winner. The best plant is simply the one that aligns with your home’s environment and your personal gardening style.

Whether you choose the stoic, sun-loving Jade or the adaptable, free-flowing Money Plant, you are bringing a piece of living art and positive energy into your life. Embrace the journey, learn from your plant, and don’t be afraid to try.

Now go forth and grow with confidence. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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