Why Money Plant Is Not Growing Indoors – 7 Common Culprits & Easy

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Is your beautiful money plant looking a little less… prosperous lately? You brought it home, a vibrant cascade of green, envisioning it trailing gracefully from a shelf. But now, it just sits there. Stagnant. Maybe a leaf has yellowed, or it simply refuses to put out any new growth. It’s a frustrating feeling we gardeners know all too well.

If you’re wondering why money plant is not growing indoors, please don’t lose hope or think you’ve lost your green thumb! This is one of the most common hurdles with this otherwise easy-going houseplant, and the good news is, the solutions are usually surprisingly simple.

I promise, we can get to the bottom of this together. In this complete guide, we’ll walk through the seven most likely reasons your plant is on strike.

We’ll cover everything from the light it’s receiving and your watering habits to the hidden issues in its soil and pot. By the end, you’ll have a clear checklist of actionable steps to coax your money plant back to its lush, thriving self. Let’s get that greenery growing again!

Is Your Lighting Situation Letting Your Money Plant Down?

Think of light as food for your plant. A money plant (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos, is famous for its adaptability, but it still has a “sweet spot” when it comes to light. Getting this wrong is often the number one reason for stalled growth.

The “Too Little Light” Problem

While money plants can survive in low light, they certainly won’t thrive. If your plant is in a dark corner far from any windows, it’s likely in survival mode, not growth mode.

Signs to look for:

  • Leggy Growth: Long, stretched-out stems with lots of space between the leaves. The plant is literally reaching for more light.
  • Small, Pale Leaves: New leaves may be noticeably smaller and a lighter shade of green than older ones.
  • Loss of Variegation: If you have a variegated variety like a Marble Queen or Golden Pothos, it might start losing its beautiful patterns and reverting to solid green to maximize chlorophyll production.

The Fix: It’s simple! Move your plant to a spot where it receives bright, indirect light. This means a place near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window. It should be bright enough to read a book comfortably without turning on a lamp.

The “Too Much Light” Problem

Just as too little light is bad, harsh, direct sunlight can be a major stressor. Direct sunbeams, especially in the afternoon, can scorch the delicate leaves of your money plant.

Signs to look for:

  • Scorched or Crispy Leaves: You might see yellow or brown patches, or the leaves might feel dry and brittle.
  • Dull, Faded Color: The vibrant green can look washed out or bleached.

The Fix: Move the plant out of the sun’s direct path. If a sunny window is your only option, hang a sheer curtain to diffuse the light. This simple barrier can make all the difference.

The Watering Woes: Too Much or Too Little Love?

Ah, watering. It’s the classic balancing act for every plant parent. Both overwatering and underwatering can bring growth to a screeching halt. This is a crucial part of any why money plant is not growing indoors care guide.

The Telltale Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering is the most common mistake gardeners make. It’s not about the amount of water you give at once, but the frequency. When soil stays soggy, roots can’t breathe and begin to develop the dreaded root rot.

Signs to look for:

  • Yellowing Leaves: Especially the lower, older leaves. They’ll often feel soft, not crispy.
  • Mushy Stems: The base of the stems might feel soft or turn black. This is a serious sign of rot.
  • Stagnant, Wet Soil: If the soil is always damp and never seems to dry out, you’re watering too often.
  • A Musty Smell: Healthy soil smells earthy; rotting roots smell sour or swampy.

The Fix: Stop watering immediately! Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Always check the soil with your finger first. If it feels damp, wait. Ensure your pot has drainage holes—this is non-negotiable!

Recognizing an Underwatered Plant

While less common, forgetting to water can also cause your plant to conserve energy and stop growing. The plant becomes dehydrated and stressed.

Signs to look for:

  • Drooping or Wilting Leaves: The whole plant will look sad and limp.
  • Crispy Brown Edges: The tips and edges of the leaves may feel dry and brittle.
  • Dry, Compacted Soil: The soil might pull away from the sides of the pot.
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The Fix: Give your plant a thorough drink. Water it until you see water flowing freely from the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball is hydrated. Then, discard the excess water from the saucer and revert to a consistent watering schedule based on the soil’s dryness.

Let’s Talk Soil and Nutrients: The Foundation of Growth

If your light and water are on point, the next place to investigate is what’s happening below the surface. The soil is your plant’s pantry, and if it’s empty or too crowded, growth will stall. This section is your essential why money plant is not growing indoors guide to soil health.

Is Your Plant Starving? The Role of Fertilizer

Over time, a plant will use up all the available nutrients in its potting soil. If it’s been in the same soil for over a year without any food, it’s likely running on empty.

The Fix: During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your money plant with a balanced, all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month. Dilute it to half the recommended strength to avoid burning the roots. Remember, less is more with fertilizer. Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

When Your Plant is Pot-Bound

A “pot-bound” or “root-bound” plant is one that has outgrown its container. The roots have filled the entire pot, leaving little room for soil, water, or air. It’s a very common reason for stunted growth.

Signs to look for:

  • Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
  • Water running straight through the pot without being absorbed.
  • The plant seems to dry out extremely quickly after watering.
  • If you gently slide the plant out of its pot, you see more roots than soil.

The Fix: It’s time to repot! Choose a new pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Going too big can lead to overwatering issues. Gently loosen the root ball, place it in the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix, and water it in.

The Unseen Threats: Pests and Diseases Stunting Growth

Sometimes, the reason for poor growth is a tiny pest that has moved in. These sap-sucking insects drain the life out of your plant, diverting its energy from growing new leaves. Addressing these are key to solving the common problems with why money plant is not growing indoors.

Identifying Common Pests

Grab a magnifying glass and inspect your plant closely, especially the undersides of leaves and where the stem meets the leaf.

  • Spider Mites: Look for fine, delicate webbing and tiny white or red dots.
  • Mealybugs: These look like tiny bits of white, fuzzy cotton, often clustered in nooks and crannies.
  • Scale: Appear as small, brown, hard bumps on stems and leaves.

Eco-Friendly Pest Control Solutions

You don’t need harsh chemicals! Adopting an eco-friendly why money plant is not growing indoors approach is better for you and your plant.

  1. Isolate: First, move the infested plant away from your other houseplants to prevent the pests from spreading.
  2. Wipe Down: For a light infestation, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe the pests off directly.
  3. Spray: Mix a gentle solution of mild dish soap and water or use a commercial insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Thoroughly coat the entire plant, including the undersides of the leaves. You may need to repeat this every week for a few weeks to break the pest life cycle.

Why Your Money Plant Is Not Growing Indoors: A Deeper Dive into Environment

Beyond light and water, the general environment of your home plays a significant role. Money plants are tropical natives, and they appreciate conditions that mimic their natural habitat. If you’re still asking why money plant is not growing indoors, the answer could be in the air.

Humidity and Temperature Matters

Money plants prefer warm, humid conditions. Standard household temperatures are usually fine, but dry air from heating or air conditioning can be a problem.

Signs of low humidity: Brown, crispy leaf tips are the classic symptom.

The Fix: Increase the humidity around your plant. You can do this by:

  • Misting the leaves with a spray bottle every couple of days.
  • Placing the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water (a “pebble tray”).
  • Grouping it with other plants, which naturally raises the ambient humidity.
  • Using a small room humidifier.

The Drafty Dilemma

Sudden changes in temperature can shock a plant. A spot near a drafty window, an exterior door that opens frequently, or directly in the path of an AC or heating vent can cause stress and stop growth.

The Fix: Check for drafts and move your plant to a more sheltered, stable location away from sudden blasts of hot or cold air. Consistency is key.

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Pruning and Potting: Are They Holding Your Plant Back?

Sometimes, a little maintenance is all that’s needed to trigger a new flush of growth. These are some of the best why money plant is not growing indoors tips for encouraging a lush, full plant.

The Power of a Good Haircut (Pruning)

If your money plant has become long and leggy, pruning is your best friend. Cutting back the long vines sends a signal to the plant to redirect its energy into creating new growth points, resulting in a fuller, bushier plant.

How to do it: Using clean scissors or pruners, simply snip off the long, trailing stems. You can cut them back by a third or even half. Don’t throw away the cuttings! You can easily propagate them in water to create new plants.

Choosing the Right Home: Pots and Drainage

We mentioned it before, but it’s so important it deserves its own section: drainage is everything. A pot without a hole in the bottom is a recipe for root rot, the number one killer of money plants.

If your plant is in a decorative pot with no drainage, you have two choices. Either drill a hole in the bottom or use it as a “cachepot.” This means keeping your plant in its plastic nursery pot (with drainage holes) and simply placing that inside the decorative pot. When you water, take the inner pot out, let it drain completely, and then put it back.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Stagnant Money Plant

Why are my money plant leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves are the most common cry for help! The number one cause is overwatering, which leads to soft, yellowing leaves, especially at the base. It can also be caused by underwatering (leaves will be yellow and crispy), nutrient deficiency, or simply old age, as lower leaves naturally die off over time.

Can a money plant grow in just water?

Yes, it absolutely can! Money plants are fantastic for water propagation and can live in a vase of water for a very long time. However, growth will eventually slow, as water lacks the nutrients found in soil. For long-term growth in water, you’ll need to add a few drops of liquid fertilizer to the water every 4-6 weeks.

How can I make my money plant grow faster and bushier?

To summarize the why money plant is not growing indoors best practices: give it bright, indirect light; water it thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry; feed it monthly in spring/summer; and don’t be afraid to prune back long vines to encourage a fuller shape. Combining these steps will give you the fastest, bushiest growth.

Is my money plant dead if it has lost all its leaves?

Not necessarily! Don’t give up on it just yet. Check the stems—if they are still firm and green (or even tan but not mushy), there’s hope. Check the roots as well. If they are white and firm, the plant is alive. Cut back any dead, mushy stems, ensure it’s in a good location with proper soil, and continue to care for it. You might be surprised to see new shoots appear.

Your Path to a Thriving Money Plant

There you have it—a complete troubleshooting checklist for your money plant. More often than not, the reason for stalled growth is a simple environmental factor that needs a small adjustment. Remember to be a patient observer. Your plant will give you clues, and now you know exactly how to read them.

Don’t try to change everything at once. Pick the symptom that best matches your plant, make one change—like moving it to a brighter spot or adjusting your watering schedule—and give it a couple of weeks. You’ll be amazed at how resilient these plants are.

You’ve got this! Go forth, put these tips into action, and get ready to watch your money plant flourish. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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