Money Plant Getting Too Tall – How To Tame Your Leggy Vines And Create

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever looked at your beloved Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) and thought, “Well, you’ve certainly grown… straight up?” You’re not alone. One minute you have a cute, bushy plant on your shelf, and the next, you have a single, determined vine making a beeline for the other side of the room, leaving a trail of sparse leaves in its wake.

It’s a classic plant parent predicament. You’re proud of its growth, but you miss the lush, full look it once had. The good news is that a money plant getting too tall isn’t a problem—it’s an opportunity!

I promise that by the time you finish this guide, you’ll not only know exactly how to bring back that full, bushy appearance but also how to turn those long vines into brand new plants for yourself or to share with friends. It’s easier than you think, and honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of gardening.

We’ll walk through why this happens, the simple art of pruning, the magic of propagation, and the best practices to keep your plant looking fabulous for years to come. Let’s get those hands dirty!

Why Is My Money Plant Getting So Leggy and Tall?

Before we grab the shears, it helps to understand why your plant is reaching for the stars. Think of it as listening to what your plant is trying to tell you. This is the first step in our money plant getting too tall care guide.

There are a few key reasons for this leggy growth, which is one of the most common problems with money plant getting too tall.

Chasing the Sun

The number one reason for a leggy Money Plant is a phenomenon called etiolation. That’s a fancy word for your plant stretching to find more light. If your plant is in a spot with low or medium light, its vines will grow longer and longer, with more space between the leaves, in a desperate search for sunlight.

The plant is essentially putting all its energy into vine growth, hoping to find a brighter spot, rather than producing big, lush leaves. It’s a survival instinct!

It’s Just Natural!

Remember, Money Plants are natural climbers and vining plants. In the wild, they scramble up massive trees, using their aerial roots to cling on. Their goal is to reach the forest canopy where the light is.

So, that long, trailing growth is simply your plant doing what it’s genetically programmed to do. Without something to climb, those vines will just keep on growing, either hanging down or stretching out.

Age and Gravity

As a Money Plant matures, it’s natural for the older leaves near the base of the plant (closest to the soil) to eventually yellow and drop off. This, combined with the continuous new growth at the vine tips, can create a sparse, “bald” top and long, leafy ends. Gravity also plays a role, pulling hanging vines downward and encouraging that trailing habit.

The Ultimate Guide to Pruning a Money Plant Getting Too Tall

Alright, friend, it’s time for the fun part! Pruning can feel scary at first—like you’re hurting your plant. But I promise you, it’s the kindest thing you can do for a leggy vine. Pruning encourages your plant to branch out, creating a much fuller and healthier appearance. This is where our money plant getting too tall tips really shine.

When Is the Best Time to Prune?

You can technically prune a Money Plant any time of year, but the best time is during the growing season, which is typically spring and summer. Your plant is full of energy during this period and will respond quickly by pushing out new growth.

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Pruning in fall or winter is okay for a light trim, but the plant’s recovery and new growth will be much slower.

What Tools Will I Need?

You don’t need a fancy toolkit. All you need is one simple tool:

  • Clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears: The key words here are clean and sharp. A clean cut helps the plant heal quickly and prevents disease. Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol before you start.

Step-by-Step Pruning Instructions

Don’t worry, this is super simple. We’re going to make a few strategic cuts that will make all the difference.

  1. Identify the Nodes: Look closely at your vine. You’ll see little brown bumps or ridges where the leaf meets the stem. These are called nodes. This is the most important part—nodes are where new roots and new leaves will grow from.
  2. Decide on Length: Step back and look at your plant. How short do you want it to be? There’s no wrong answer. You can trim just a few inches off the ends or cut the vines back by half or more. Be bold!
  3. Make the Cut: For each vine you want to shorten, make your cut about 1/4 to 1/2 inch after a node (further down the vine, away from the base of the plant). Never cut on the node itself. Cutting after a node leaves that node on the main plant, which is where new growth will sprout from.
  4. Save the Cuttings: Don’t throw those trimmed pieces away! Any piece of vine that has at least one node and one leaf is a potential new plant. We’ll cover this in the next section.

After pruning, the plant will send out new shoots from the nodes just below your cuts, often sending out two new stems where there was once only one. This is the secret to getting that bushy, full look!

The Magic of Propagation: Turning Cuttings into New Plants

Here’s where you get rewarded for your bravery. Every piece you snipped off is a chance to create a new Money Plant for free. This is one of the biggest benefits of money plant getting too tall. It’s a truly sustainable and eco-friendly way to expand your plant collection.

Propagating in Water: The Classic Method

This is the easiest, most foolproof method, and it’s so satisfying to watch the roots grow!

  1. Prepare Your Cuttings: Take your cuttings and remove the lowest leaf (or two) on each one, ensuring at least one or two nodes are bare and exposed. You want nodes in the water, but not leaves, as they can rot.
  2. Place in Water: Put the cuttings in a jar, glass, or vase of clean water. Make sure the exposed nodes are submerged, but the remaining leaves are above the waterline.
  3. Find a Bright Spot: Place your jar in a spot that gets bright, indirect light. Too much direct sun can be harsh on the new cuttings.
  4. Wait and Watch: Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and oxygenated. In about 2-4 weeks, you’ll start to see little white roots sprouting from the nodes. It’s pure magic!
  5. Pot Them Up: Once the roots are about 1-2 inches long, you can gently plant them in a small pot with fresh potting soil. Water it well and treat it like a baby Money Plant.

Pro Tip: Make Your Original Plant Fuller!

Want a faster way to a bushy plant? Once your cuttings have rooted, you can plant them right back into the original pot with the mother plant! This adds more stems and leaves directly at the base, creating an instantly fuller look. This is one of the top money plant getting too tall best practices.

Beyond Pruning: Creative Ways to Style Your Long Money Plant Vines

What if you love the long vines but just want to manage them? You don’t always have to cut them back. A tall Money Plant offers a fantastic opportunity for creative styling.

Train Them to Climb

Give your plant’s natural instincts a helping hand! You can encourage your vines to climb upwards.

  • Moss Poles: Adding a moss pole to the center of the pot gives the vines something to cling to with their aerial roots. As the plant climbs, the leaves often grow larger and more impressive! This is a fantastic, eco-friendly money plant getting too tall solution.
  • Wall Trellises or Hooks: Use small, clear, self-adhesive hooks or a delicate wall trellis to guide the vines up and around a wall, a window frame, or a bookshelf. This turns your plant into a living piece of art.
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Create a Green Curtain

Place your Money Plant on a high shelf or in a hanging basket and let the vines cascade down. You can let them hang freely or guide them along curtain rods to frame a window with lush greenery.

Your Money Plant Care Guide: Preventing Future Legginess

Once you’ve pruned and styled your plant, a little proactive care can keep it looking its best. This is the preventative part of our money plant getting too tall guide.

Light is Key: The best way to prevent leggy growth is to provide ample bright, indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window is often perfect. More light means less stretching and more energy for leaf production.

Water Wisely: Water your Money Plant thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause leaves to droop and drop.

Pinch and Prune Regularly: Don’t wait for the vines to get super long again. Every month or so, simply pinch off the very tip of a few growing vines. This small act encourages branching and keeps the plant compact and bushy from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Leggy Money Plant

Will pruning hurt my money plant?

Not at all! In fact, it’s incredibly healthy for it. Pruning is like a haircut that stimulates fresh, bushy growth. As long as you use clean tools, your plant will bounce back stronger than ever.

Why are the leaves at the base of my money plant turning yellow and falling off?

This can be a sign of a few things. Most commonly, it’s either natural aging (older leaves die off) or an issue with watering, usually overwatering. Check your soil moisture before watering again. If the soil is consistently soggy, let it dry out more between waterings.

How long does it take for money plant cuttings to root in water?

You’ll typically see the first signs of roots within 2 to 4 weeks. The speed can vary depending on the time of year, the amount of light, and the overall health of the cutting. Be patient, it’s worth the wait!

Can I just coil the long vines back on top of the soil?

You can! This is another great trick. Gently lay a long vine back onto the surface of the soil in the pot, ensuring a few nodes make contact with the soil. You can use a bobby pin or a piece of wire bent into a ‘U’ shape to hold it in place. With luck, those nodes will root into the soil, creating new growth points and a fuller top.

Go Forth and Grow!

See? A money plant getting too tall is nothing to fear. It’s your plant’s way of asking for a little attention and giving you the perfect chance to engage with it, shape it, and even multiply it.

By understanding why it happens and learning the simple techniques of pruning and propagation, you’ve unlocked the secret to maintaining a beautiful, lush Money Plant for years to come. So grab those scissors with confidence, and get ready to enjoy a healthier plant and a few new green friends for your home.

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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