Money Plant Falling Over – Why It Happens & How To Fix It For Good

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the sight of a lush, vibrant Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) cascading beautifully in your home. But what happens when that graceful cascade turns into a sad, droopy flop? You walk by one morning and notice your once-perky plant is suddenly falling over, looking weak and defeated.

I know that feeling well. It’s a common worry I hear from fellow gardeners, and it can be disheartening. You might be wondering, “What did I do wrong?”

Let me promise you this: a money plant falling over is almost always a fixable problem. Your plant is simply trying to tell you something is a little off in its world. It’s not a sign of failure—it’s an invitation to become an even better plant parent.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything together, just like friends chatting over a cup of tea in the garden. We’ll uncover the exact reasons your plant is drooping, explore easy and effective ways to give it the support it craves, and learn the best practices to ensure it grows strong, upright, and beautiful for years to come. Let’s get your green friend back on its feet!

First, Let’s Play Plant Detective: Why Is Your Money Plant Falling Over?

Before we can find the solution, we need to understand the cause. A drooping Money Plant is a symptom, not the disease itself. Let’s look at the most common culprits. This is the first step in our money plant falling over guide.

The Thirsty Plant: Underwatering

This is often the first thing people suspect, and for good reason! Money Plants, also known as Pothos, will physically wilt and droop when they are thirsty. It’s their way of conserving energy.

How to Check: Don’t just guess! The best way to know for sure is to do the “finger test.” Stick your index finger about two inches into the soil. If it comes out completely dry and clean, your plant is begging for a drink.

The Fix: Give your plant a thorough, deep watering. Take it to the sink and let lukewarm water run through the pot until it flows freely from the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball is saturated. Let it drain completely before placing it back in its decorative pot or saucer.

The Drowning Plant: Overwatering and Root Rot

Here’s a plot twist that trips up many new gardeners: the symptoms of overwatering can look surprisingly similar to underwatering. The plant droops, the leaves may turn yellow, but the reason is far more dangerous.

When soil stays soggy, roots can’t get the oxygen they need. They begin to suffocate and decay, a condition called root rot. Damaged roots can’t absorb water, so the plant wilts—even though it’s sitting in wet soil.

How to Check: If the soil is damp but the plant is still drooping, gently slide the plant out of its pot. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Rotted roots will be dark brown or black, mushy, and may have a foul, swampy smell.

The Fix: Act fast! Trim away all the mushy, dead roots with clean scissors. Repot the plant in a fresh, well-draining potting mix in a pot with excellent drainage holes. This is one of the most critical money plant falling over tips to remember.

Reaching for the Light: Etiolation

Have you noticed your Money Plant’s stems are getting really long and “leggy,” with lots of space between the leaves? This is called etiolation. It happens when the plant isn’t getting enough light and is literally stretching itself thin trying to find more.

These long, weak stems don’t have the structural integrity to hold themselves up, causing the whole plant to fall over and look sparse.

The Fix: Move your plant to a spot with more bright, indirect light. Think of a spot near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window. You’ll notice new growth coming in much closer together, creating a fuller, stronger plant.

Feeling Cramped: A Pot-Bound Plant

Sometimes, a plant falls over simply because it has become top-heavy and its root system has run out of room. If your Money Plant has been in the same pot for years, it might be “pot-bound.”

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How to Check: Look for roots growing out of the drainage holes or a dense, tangled mass of roots if you lift the plant from its pot. The plant may also dry out extremely quickly after watering.

The Fix: It’s time to repot! Choose a new container that is only 1-2 inches wider in diameter than the current one. Going too big can lead to overwatering issues. Gently tease the roots apart and place the plant in its new home with fresh potting mix.

The Ultimate Guide to Supporting a Money Plant Falling Over

One of the most important things to understand about your Money Plant is its nature. In the wild, it’s a vining plant that loves to climb trees. Giving it something to climb is the key to solving the “how to money plant falling over” puzzle and encouraging strong, healthy growth.

The Classic Choice: Moss Poles

A moss pole is my absolute favorite way to support a vining Money Plant. It mimics the mossy tree bark they climb in their native habitat. The aerial roots of the plant will actually grow into the moist moss pole, providing incredible stability.

Pro Tip: When you water your plant, lightly mist the moss pole too. This encourages the roots to attach and can even lead to larger, more mature leaves—a fantastic bonus!

  1. Gently insert the moss pole into the center of the pot, being careful not to damage the main root ball. It’s easiest to do this during a repot.
  2. Identify the longest, strongest vines.
  3. Carefully wrap them around the pole and secure them loosely with soft plant ties, garden twine, or even velcro strips designed for plants. Never use wire, which can cut into the stems.

Simple & Stylish: Trellises and Stakes

If a moss pole isn’t your style, a small trellis or a few bamboo stakes can also work wonders. A trellis provides a beautiful framework for the vines to weave through, creating a living piece of art.

For a simpler approach, insert three or four bamboo stakes evenly around the inside edge of the pot. You can then gently guide the main stems upwards and secure them to the stakes. This is an excellent, budget-friendly option.

Getting Creative: Wall Hooks and Shelves

Who says “falling over” has to be a bad thing? You can embrace your plant’s vining nature by training it to climb a wall or cascade from a high shelf. Use small, clear, self-adhesive hooks to guide the vines along the wall in any pattern you like. This turns a common problem into a stunning design feature!

Best Practices for a Strong, Upright Money Plant

Once you’ve addressed the immediate issue, prevention is key. Following this simple money plant falling over care guide will build a resilient, thriving plant that supports itself.

The Perfect Drink: Watering Wisely

The golden rule is “soak and dry.” Wait until the top two inches of soil are dry, then water thoroughly until it runs out the bottom. Ditch the rigid “water once a week” schedule and let your plant tell you when it’s thirsty.

Let There Be (Indirect) Light

Consistency is your friend. Find a good spot with bright, indirect light and try to leave your plant there. Too little light causes weak, leggy growth, while direct sun can scorch the beautiful leaves.

The Right Home: Soil and Potting

Your Money Plant needs a pot with excellent drainage. No exceptions! Use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix. For an extra boost, you can mix in a handful of perlite or orchid bark to improve aeration and prevent soil compaction.

A Healthy Trim: The Power of Pruning

Don’t be afraid to prune your plant! Trimming back long, leggy vines does two wonderful things. First, it encourages the plant to branch out, creating a fuller, bushier appearance. Second, it reduces the weight on the main stems, making the plant less likely to fall over. Simply snip a vine right after a leaf node (the little bump where a leaf grows out).

The Surprising Benefits of a “Falling Over” Money Plant (When It’s Intentional!)

We’ve talked a lot about fixing a drooping plant, but there are definite benefits of money plant falling over when you embrace its natural trailing habit. A healthy plant with strong stems can be encouraged to hang and vine.

Placing your Money Plant in a hanging basket or on top of a bookshelf allows its vines to cascade down gracefully. This creates a stunning “waterfall” of green that can soften the lines of your furniture and purify the air. The key difference between this and an unhealthy droop is the appearance of the plant: the leaves should be perky, green, and lush, even as the vines hang downwards.

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Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Money Plant Care

Caring for our plants can and should be in harmony with caring for our planet. Embracing sustainable money plant falling over practices is easy and rewarding.

DIY Support Systems

Instead of buying new plastic stakes, look to your own garden! A sturdy, interesting-looking branch can make a beautiful and natural support for your plant to climb.

Water Conservation

Practice eco-friendly money plant falling over care by being mindful of water. Collect rainwater when you can—it’s free of the chemicals found in tap water. You can also save the water you use to boil pasta or vegetables (just make sure it’s unsalted and has cooled down completely!).

Peat-Free Potting Mix

Many standard potting mixes contain peat moss, the harvesting of which can damage fragile wetland ecosystems. Look for peat-free alternatives that use sustainable resources like coco coir. Your plant will be just as happy, and the planet will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Money Plant Falling Over

Why are my money plant leaves turning yellow and the plant is drooping?

This classic combination of symptoms almost always points to overwatering and potential root rot. The yellowing leaves are a sign of stress from the roots being unable to function properly in soggy soil. Stop watering immediately and check the roots as described above.

Can I fix a very leggy money plant that has fallen over?

Absolutely! This is a great opportunity to reshape your plant. Prune the long, leggy stems back significantly. This will feel dramatic, but it will signal the plant to push out new, bushier growth from its base. Best of all, you can propagate the pieces you cut off in water to create brand new plants!

How quickly will my money plant recover after I fix the problem?

Patience is a gardener’s best friend. If the issue was simple underwatering, you should see your plant perk up within hours of a good drink. For issues like overwatering or repotting, give it a week or two to adjust. You’ll know it’s recovering when you see new, healthy growth emerging.

Does a money plant need fertilizer to stop it from falling over?

While a lack of nutrients won’t directly cause a plant to fall over, a well-fed plant is a strong plant. Feeding your Money Plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the spring and summer growing season will support robust stem and leaf development, making it less prone to weakness and drooping.

You’ve Got This!

Seeing your beloved Money Plant falling over can be alarming, but it’s rarely a lost cause. Think of it as a conversation. Your plant was trying to tell you it needed something—a drink of water, a brighter spot, or a shoulder to lean on.

By playing detective, providing the right kind of support, and committing to a few simple care practices, you’ve learned how to listen and respond. You now have all the knowledge you need to not only fix the problem but to raise a stronger, healthier, and more beautiful plant for the long haul.

So go ahead, give your green friend the helping hand it needs. You’re a fantastic plant parent, and your thriving Money Plant will be the living proof. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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