Money Plant Vs Peace Lily: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your Perfect

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Standing in the plant nursery, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. You see two lush, green beauties that everyone says are “easy”—the trailing Money Plant and the elegant Peace Lily. They both promise to bring life to your space, but which one is truly the right fit for your home and your lifestyle?

I get it. Choosing a new plant friend is a big decision! You want one that won’t just survive, but thrive under your care. That’s why I’m here to help you demystify this classic houseplant dilemma.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through a detailed money plant vs peace lily comparison. We’ll explore everything from their light and water needs to their unique looks and the common problems you might encounter. By the end, you’ll feel confident and excited to bring home your perfect green companion.

Meet the Contenders: A Quick Introduction

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let’s get properly acquainted with our two leafy competitors. Though they share a reputation for being beginner-friendly, they are quite different characters in the plant world.

The Resilient Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

Often called Pothos or Devil’s Ivy, the Money Plant is a true champion of resilience. Hailing from the Society Islands in French Polynesia, this vining plant is famous for its heart-shaped leaves, often variegated with splashes of yellow, cream, or white.

Its superpower? It can tolerate a surprisingly wide range of conditions, making it a go-to for new plant parents or those with less-than-ideal lighting. It’s a grower, a trailer, and a climber—a truly versatile addition to any indoor jungle.

The Elegant Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily is the picture of grace and elegance. Native to the tropical rainforests of the Americas, it boasts deep, glossy green leaves that arch gracefully from a central base. Its most striking feature is its unique white “flower,” which is actually a modified leaf called a spathe.

This plant is a bit more of a communicator than the Money Plant. It will famously “droop” to let you know when it’s thirsty, taking all the guesswork out of watering. Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners!

At a Glance: Money Plant vs Peace Lily Showdown

For those who love a quick summary, here’s a side-by-side look at our two contenders. This simple table can help you make a fast decision based on your home’s environment.

  • Light:
    • Money Plant: Low to bright, indirect light. Highly adaptable.
    • Peace Lily: Prefers medium to bright, indirect light. Can tolerate low light but may not flower.
  • Watering Style:
    • Money Plant: Prefers to dry out between waterings. Drought-tolerant.
    • Peace Lily: Likes consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Very dramatic when thirsty.
  • Growth Habit:
    • Money Plant: A vining/trailing plant. Can grow several feet long.
    • Peace Lily: An upright, clumping plant. Grows outwards more than upwards.
  • Standout Feature:
    • Money Plant: Beautiful variegated leaves and unstoppable trailing vines.
    • Peace Lily: Striking white spathe “flowers” and air-purifying qualities.
  • Toxicity:
    • Both: Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals. Causes irritation of the mouth and stomach.

The Ultimate Money Plant vs Peace Lily Care Guide

Now, let’s get our hands dirty! Understanding the specific care needs is the most important part of our money plant vs peace lily guide. Knowing these details will ensure your chosen plant thrives for years to come.

Light Requirements: Finding the Sweet Spot

Light is food for plants, and getting it right is crucial. Luckily, both of these are quite forgiving.

The Money Plant is the king of adaptability. It can happily live in a lower-light corner or thrive in a spot with bright, indirect sun. A pro tip: the more variegation (white or yellow) on the leaves, the more bright, indirect light it will appreciate to maintain that coloring.

READ MORE  When To Prune Chinese Money Plant - Expert Tips For A Lush & Healthy

The Peace Lily, on the other hand, prefers a bit more consistency. It does best in medium to bright, indirect light. Think of a spot near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window. It can survive in low light, but you likely won’t see any of its beautiful white flowers.

Watering Wisdom: The Biggest Beginner Mistake

Overwatering is the number one killer of houseplants! Here’s how to money plant vs peace lily watering correctly.

For your Money Plant, the rule is simple: when in doubt, let it dry out. It hates having “wet feet.” The best method is to stick your finger into the soil. If the top 1-2 inches feel dry, it’s time to give it a good soak. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then let it dry out again.

Your Peace Lily is the opposite. It enjoys consistently moist soil, like the floor of a rainforest. It’s also incredibly dramatic and will tell you exactly when it’s thirsty by drooping its leaves sadly. This is your cue to water! Give it a good drink, and within a few hours, it will perk right back up. Just don’t let it sit in a saucer of water.

Soil and Potting: Building a Happy Home

Both plants need a pot with a drainage hole—this is non-negotiable! They’ll do well in any standard, high-quality indoor potting mix.

To give them an extra boost and improve drainage, I love to mix in a handful of perlite or orchid bark. This creates air pockets in the soil, which helps prevent root rot and keeps the roots healthy and happy.

Feeding and Fertilizing: Fuel for Growth

You don’t need to stress too much about feeding these plants. They are not 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 altogether as their growth naturally slows down.

Common Problems with Money Plant vs Peace Lily (And How to Fix Them!)

Even the easiest plants can have an off day. Here are some of the most common problems with money plant vs peace lily and my simple, trusted solutions.

Troubleshooting Your Money Plant

  • Yellow Leaves: This is most often a sign of overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. A few yellow leaves now and then are normal as the plant sheds old foliage.
  • Leggy Vines: If your plant has long, bare stems with few leaves, it’s likely not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter spot and don’t be afraid to prune it back! Pruning encourages fuller, bushier growth.
  • Pests: While resilient, they can occasionally get mealybugs or spider mites. Check the undersides of leaves regularly. If you see any pests, wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Solving Peace Lily Problems

  • Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips: This is usually caused by dry air or tap water that contains minerals like fluoride and chlorine. Try using filtered or distilled water and consider placing your plant near a humidifier.
  • Not Flowering: The most common reasons are not enough light or the plant is too young. Move it to a spot with brighter, indirect light and be patient!
  • Yellow Leaves: Just like the Money Plant, this is typically a sign of too much water. Check the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Benefits of Money Plant vs Peace Lily: More Than Just Good Looks

Beyond their beauty, these plants bring some wonderful benefits into your home. The benefits of money plant vs peace lily extend to your well-being and home environment.

Both are excellent air purifiers. The Peace Lily is particularly famous for its ability to filter common indoor toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia from the air, as confirmed by NASA’s Clean Air Study.

In many cultures, especially in Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra, the Money Plant is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy to the home. Its ability to thrive in almost any condition symbolizes perseverance and growth.

READ MORE  Does A Chinese Money Plant Flower - 7 Secrets To Trigger Its Rare

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Money Plant vs Peace Lily Best Practices

Being a green-thumbed gardener also means being a green-minded one! It’s easy to incorporate sustainable money plant vs peace lily practices into your care routine.

One of the best eco-friendly things about these plants is how easy they are to propagate. You can snip a piece of Money Plant vine, place it in water, and it will grow roots in a few weeks. A mature Peace Lily can be divided at the root ball to create new plants. This means you can share them with friends and family for free, reducing the need to buy new plants.

When choosing soil, look for peat-free potting mixes. Peat moss harvesting can be damaging to delicate bog ecosystems. Using alternatives like coco coir is a more eco-friendly money plant vs peace lily choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Money Plant vs Peace Lily

Which is better for a total beginner?

While both are excellent choices, the Money Plant (Pothos) is arguably the more foolproof of the two. Its tolerance for inconsistent watering and a wide range of light conditions makes it incredibly forgiving for someone just starting their plant journey.

Are money plant and peace lily toxic to pets?

Yes, unfortunately, both plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Chewing on the leaves can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It’s best to keep them out of reach of curious pets.

Can I grow a money plant in just water?

Absolutely! A Money Plant can live happily for a very long time in a vase of water. This is a beautiful and low-maintenance way to display it. Just be sure to change the water every week or two to keep it fresh and provide nutrients.

Why isn’t my peace lily flowering?

The top two reasons are insufficient light and age. Peace Lilies need bright, indirect light to produce their signature white spathes. If your light is good, it might just need more time to mature. A little patience is key!

Conclusion: So, Which Plant Wins Your Heart?

So, after our deep dive, who comes out on top in the money plant vs peace lily debate? The truth is, there’s no single winner. The best plant is the one that fits you.

Choose the Money Plant if you want a resilient, fast-growing vining plant that you can place almost anywhere, and you love the idea of easily propagating it to share with others.

Choose the Peace Lily if you love a more elegant, upright look, want the air-purifying power of its beautiful white flowers, and appreciate a plant that clearly tells you when it needs a drink.

Whichever you choose, you’re bringing home a wonderful green friend that will add beauty and life to your space. Trust your instincts, consider your home, and get ready to watch it grow. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)

Similar Posts