The Ultimate Money Plant Care Guide: How to Grow Lush Vines Indoors

Whether you call it Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, or simply the Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum), this vibrant vine is the undisputed champion of the indoor gardening world. It earned its reputation for being nearly indestructible, making it the perfect starting point for beginners and a staple for seasoned plant parents.

Beyond its trailing aesthetics and ties to good fortune in Vastu and Feng Shui, the money plant is a functional powerhouse. It actively filters airborne toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from your indoor environment.

If your vines are looking a little sparse—or if you are just bringing your first plant home—here is exactly how to help your money plant thrive, not just survive.

The Core Elements of Money Plant Care

The secret to a fast-growing, bushy money plant comes down to mimicking its natural tropical environment. While they can tolerate neglect, providing the right balance of light and water will double their growth rate.

Soil vs. Water: Which is Better?

One of the unique traits of the money plant is its ability to grow without soil entirely. Both methods work, but they yield different results.

Growing in Soil

Plants grown in a nutrient-rich potting mix develop stronger root systems and grow significantly faster. The leaves tend to grow larger, and the vines are more robust, making it the better choice if you want to train your plant to climb a moss pole or trellis.

Growing in Water

If you want a modern, minimalist look, money plants root easily in glass jars. While they look fantastic on a desk or shelf, growth will be slower. To keep a water-grown plant healthy:

• Ensure the water only covers the roots, not the leaves.

• Change the water every 7 to 10 days to replenish oxygen and prevent algae buildup.

• Use filtered or room-temperature water to avoid shocking the plant.

Troubleshooting Common Money Plant Problems

Even the most resilient plants send out distress signals when something is wrong. Here is how to read your plant's leaves:

• Yellowing leaves: This is almost always a sign of overwatering. Check the soil—if it is wet, hold off on watering until it dries out. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes.

• Leggy, stretched-out vines: If the gaps between the leaves on your vine are getting longer and the leaves are getting smaller, your plant is stretching to find sunlight. Move it closer to a window.

• Crispy brown tips: This usually points to a lack of humidity or a buildup of chemicals (like chlorine or fluoride) from tap water. Try misting the leaves occasionally or letting your tap water sit out overnight before watering.

• Loss of variegation: If your Golden Pothos is turning entirely solid green, it needs more light to produce those signature yellow and golden streaks.

How to Make Your Money Plant Bushier

Left to its own devices, a money plant will often grow into one or two very long, single vines. To create that lush, full look, you need to prune.

Don't be afraid to take a clean pair of scissors and snip the vines just below a node (the small brown bump on the stem where a leaf attaches). This forces the plant to branch out from the cut, creating two new vines instead of one. Plus, you can take those cuttings, drop them in a glass of water, and propagate entirely new plants to share with friends.

Ready to add a touch of green to your space?

Explore our curated collection of low-maintenance indoor plants and stylish planters at Greeneify.com to find the perfect addition to your home.