Money Plant Vs Golden Money Plant – Your Ultimate Guide To

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever stood in a plant shop, staring at two lush, vining plants, both labeled “Money Plant,” and wondered what the real difference is? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common points of confusion for new and even experienced plant parents. You might be asking yourself, “Are they the same? Does one need special care? Which one is right for my home?”

I promise, by the end of this guide, you’ll be able to tell them apart with a single glance and feel completely confident in choosing and caring for your perfect leafy companion. We’re going to clear up the confusion once and for all.

In this complete money plant vs golden money plant guide, we’ll walk through their key visual differences, break down their specific care needs, explore their amazing benefits, and tackle common problems you might encounter. Let’s dig in and turn you into a money plant expert!

The Great Identity Mix-Up: What Exactly Is a Money Plant?

Before we dive into the comparison, let’s clear the air. The name “Money Plant” is a common nickname given to several different species, which is where the confusion begins!

Most often, especially in South Asia, the plant people call Money Plant is Epipremnum aureum. This same plant is known as Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, or Ceylon Creeper in other parts of the world. It’s a hardy, vining plant famous for its heart-shaped leaves and near-indestructible nature.

The “Golden Money Plant” is simply a specific variety, or cultivar, of this exact same species. It’s the classic Golden Pothos, celebrated for its beautiful green leaves splashed with golden-yellow variegation.

So, for this guide, when we discuss the money plant vs golden money plant, we are comparing the standard, all-green Epipremnum aureum with its popular variegated cousin, the Golden Pothos. They are technically the same plant species, just with a different “outfit”!

A Side-by-Side Visual Guide: Spotting the Difference

At first glance, they look similar, but once you know what to look for, telling them apart is a breeze. The differences are all about aesthetics and how the plant expresses its genes, particularly in its leaves.

Leaf Color and Variegation

This is the most obvious difference. Think of it like this: the standard Money Plant is the classic, original version, while the Golden Money Plant is the flashy, decorated one.

  • Standard Money Plant (Green Pothos): Its leaves are a uniform, deep, and glossy green. They have a rich, solid color across the entire heart-shaped leaf, giving them a very lush and classic appearance.
  • Golden Money Plant (Golden Pothos): This variety is where the magic happens. Its leaves have variegation, which means they have sections with different colors. You’ll see beautiful splashes, streaks, and marble-like patterns of golden-yellow or creamy white across the green base.

A fun gardener’s tip: The amount of golden color on a Golden Money Plant often depends on how much light it gets. More light usually means more vibrant variegation!

Growth Habits and Vigor

Both plants are famously fast growers, capable of producing long, cascading vines that can quickly transform a space. However, there’s a subtle difference in their growth rate.

Because the all-green leaves of the standard Money Plant have more chlorophyll (the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis), it can produce energy more efficiently. This often means it grows slightly faster and more aggressively than its golden counterpart.

The yellow parts of the Golden Money Plant’s leaves lack chlorophyll, so it has to work a little harder to create food. Don’t worry, though—it’s still a very vigorous plant that will reward you with plenty of growth!

The Ultimate Money Plant vs Golden Money Plant Care Guide

Here’s the fantastic news: caring for both plants is nearly identical! They are renowned for being low-maintenance, making them perfect for beginners. However, there is one key difference in their needs that will help each one thrive. This is the definitive money plant vs golden money plant care guide.

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Lighting: The Secret to Vibrant Color

This is the most critical difference in their care. While both are wonderfully adaptable, their ideal light conditions vary.

  • Standard Money Plant: This plant is a low-light champion. It can thrive in rooms with less natural light, like offices or north-facing rooms, though it will grow faster and fuller in medium, indirect light.
  • Golden Money Plant: To maintain its stunning golden variegation, this plant needs bright, indirect light. If you place it in a low-light spot, it will start to produce more chlorophyll to compensate. This means the yellow splashes will fade, and the leaves may turn almost completely green—a process called reversion. It won’t harm the plant, but you’ll lose the “golden” look!

Watering Wisdom: Less is More

Overwatering is the number one mistake plant owners make! These plants would much rather be a little too dry than too wet. Their roots need oxygen, and waterlogged soil can lead to dreaded root rot.

Here’s a simple rule: water thoroughly only when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Let the excess water drain completely from the bottom of the pot. In the winter, you’ll need to water even less as the plant’s growth slows down.

Soil and Potting Best Practices

Both plants need a potting mix that drains well. A standard, high-quality indoor potting mix will work, but to really help them shine, create your own airy mixture. A great recipe is:

  • One part indoor potting soil
  • One part perlite (for aeration)
  • One part orchid bark (for chunky drainage)

And always, always use a pot with a drainage hole. This is non-negotiable for a healthy plant!

Feeding for Lush Growth

These plants aren’t heavy feeders, but a little boost during the growing season (spring and summer) will encourage lush, vibrant growth. Use a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month. Hold off on fertilizing in the fall and winter when the plant is resting.

Benefits of Money Plant vs Golden Money Plant: More Than Just Good Looks

Beyond their easy-care nature and beauty, these plants bring some wonderful benefits into your home, making the debate over the benefits of money plant vs golden money plant an easy one—they both win!

Air-Purifying Powerhouses

Both varieties are celebrated for their air-purifying qualities. They were featured in NASA’s famous Clean Air Study for their ability to filter common indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air. They literally make your home a healthier place to breathe.

Feng Shui and Positive Energy

In many cultures, particularly in Feng Shui, the Money Plant is believed to attract wealth, prosperity, and positive energy. Its vibrant, upward-growing vines are thought to represent growth and abundance. Placing one in the southeast corner of your home or office is said to enhance financial luck.

Incredibly Versatile Decor

These plants are true chameleons of home decor. You can:

  • Let them trail elegantly from a hanging basket.
  • Place them on a high shelf to cascade down like a waterfall.
  • Train them to climb up a moss pole or trellis for a vertical statement.
  • Even use small, clear hooks on a wall to guide their vines in a beautiful pattern.

Solving Common Problems with Money Plant vs Golden Money Plant

Even the toughest plants can have an off day. Don’t panic! Here’s how to troubleshoot some common problems with money plant vs golden money plant.

Yellowing Leaves: What Are They Telling You?

A yellow leaf can mean a few things, but the most common culprit is overwatering. If the soil is constantly damp and leaves are turning yellow and mushy, pull back on watering immediately. Yellowing can also be caused by underwatering (leaves will be yellow and crispy) or simply be the plant shedding its oldest leaves, which is perfectly normal.

Leggy Growth and Small Leaves

If your plant has long, bare stems with small leaves spaced far apart, it’s begging for more light. It’s “stretching” or becoming leggy to find a better light source. The solution is simple: move it to a spot with brighter, indirect light. To fix the existing leggy growth, don’t be afraid to prune it back! This will encourage the plant to grow back fuller and bushier.

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Pests to Watch For

These plants are quite pest-resistant, but occasionally they might attract mealybugs or spider mites. Check the undersides of leaves and stems regularly. If you spot any pests, you can easily treat them with an eco-friendly money plant vs golden money plant approach: simply wipe the leaves with a cloth dipped in soapy water or use a commercial insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Money Plant Practices

One of the best things about these plants is how easy they are to share. Embracing a sustainable money plant vs golden money plant mindset is simple and rewarding.

Propagation: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Propagating these plants is incredibly easy and a wonderful way to create more plants for free. It’s a perfect sustainable practice!

  1. Take a cutting: Snip a piece of vine that has at least 3-4 leaves. Make your cut just below a node (the little brown bump on the stem where leaves and roots grow).
  2. Place in water: Put the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.
  3. Wait for roots: Place the jar in a bright, indirect light spot. In a few weeks, you’ll see white roots begin to sprout from the node!
  4. Pot it up: Once the roots are about an inch long, you can plant your new baby in soil.

Frequently Asked Questions: Money Plant vs Golden Money Plant

Is a Golden Money Plant just a variegated Money Plant?

Yes, that’s exactly right! The Golden Money Plant, or Golden Pothos, is a variegated cultivar of the same species as the standard green Money Plant, Epipremnum aureum. They are family!

Can my Golden Money Plant lose its yellow coloring?

It certainly can. This is a common issue called reversion. If a Golden Money Plant doesn’t receive enough bright, indirect light, it will produce more chlorophyll to maximize energy production from the limited light. This causes the yellow variegation to fade, and the leaves may become solid green.

Which one is better for beginners?

Both are absolutely fantastic choices for beginners. However, if you have a very low-light area, the standard all-green Money Plant is slightly more forgiving and will maintain its appearance better than the Golden Money Plant, which needs more light to stay variegated. For this reason, it’s often called the most foolproof houseplant on the market.

So, Which Plant Is Right for You?

As we’ve seen in this money plant vs golden money plant showdown, the choice between these two beauties really comes down to two simple things: your personal aesthetic and the light you can provide.

If you love a classic, deep green look and have a corner that doesn’t get a ton of sun, the standard Money Plant is your perfect match. If you’re drawn to bright, cheerful patterns and have a spot with plenty of bright, indirect sunlight, the Golden Money Plant will bring that sunshine indoors for you.

No matter which you choose, you’re bringing home a resilient, air-purifying, and fast-growing friend that will bring you joy for years to come. Trust your instincts, consider your space, and get ready to watch it grow!

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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