Money Plant Care: How to Grow Healthy Pothos in Soil and Water

Money Plant Care: How I Grow Healthy Pothos in Soil and Water at Home

There is something comforting about having a money plant at home. Maybe it is the fresh green leaves, the way its vines slowly spread across a shelf, or simply the fact that it keeps growing even when life gets busy and we forget to check on it for a few days.

In India, the money plant is one of those houseplants that almost everyone recognises. You may see it growing in a glass bottle near a window, trailing from a hanging pot, or climbing up a moss pole. Scientifically, it is known as Epipremnum aureum, although many people simply call it Pothos or Golden Pothos.

Its common names include Golden Pothos, Ceylon Creeper, Ivy Arum, Silver Vine, Taro Vine and Solomon Islands Ivy. The plant is native to the region around Mo'orea in French Polynesia, but today it has become a favourite indoor plant in homes around the world.

I noticed that beginners often worry too much about money plant care. In my experience, it is actually one of the most forgiving plants to start with. You can grow it in soil or directly in water, and both methods can work beautifully when you understand a few simple things.

Why Do People Love Keeping Money Plants at Home?

Apart from being easy to grow, the money plant has long been associated with prosperity, good luck and positive energy in many homes. Of course, whether a plant can actually bring wealth is a personal belief, but I can definitely say that a healthy, green plant can make a room feel much more alive.

At least on my terrace and around indoor spaces, plants have a strange way of making even an ordinary corner feel calmer. A money plant is especially useful for this because it stays attractive throughout the year when given basic care.

If you enjoy keeping greenery indoors, you may also like our guide to 10 indoor plants associated with positive energy and our collection of indoor plants for a fresh and stylish home .

Can Money Plant Grow in Soil and Water?

Yes, and this is one reason I enjoy growing Pothos. You can grow a money plant in a regular potting mix, or you can place a healthy cutting directly in water.

Both methods have their own charm. Soil-grown plants usually have more room for long-term growth, while a money plant in a clear glass container can look beautiful on a table, shelf or near a bright window.

🌿 Read: Best Plants for Your Bathroom ➜

Money Plant Care in Soil

Growing a money plant in soil is simple, but one mistake I made initially was treating it like every other potted plant. I thought watering it frequently would make it grow faster. It did not. The soil remained wet for too long, and the plant started looking unhappy.

Over time I realized that money plants are quite forgiving, but they do not enjoy constantly soggy soil. Good drainage makes a much bigger difference than people expect.

1. Use a Well-Draining Potting Mix

Money plants prefer a loose, well-draining growing medium. You can use normal garden soil or potting soil and improve drainage by adding coarse sand or other suitable aerating material.

I prefer not to make the soil too heavy. If water sits in the pot for a long time, the roots can struggle. Also make sure your pot has proper drainage holes. A beautiful pot without drainage can become a problem surprisingly quickly.

2. Water Carefully — Do Not Keep the Soil Wet All the Time

This is probably the most important part of money plant care. Water thoroughly when the upper layer of soil has started drying, then allow the growing medium to dry slightly before watering again.

Money plants can usually tolerate a little dryness better than constant overwatering. What surprised me was how often a yellowing or weak-looking money plant was actually suffering from too much water rather than too little.

3. Give Bright, Indirect Light

A bright window, well-lit room or protected balcony is usually a good place for a money plant. Bright indirect sunlight helps it maintain healthy growth without exposing the leaves to harsh conditions for too long.

Direct sunlight can be stronger than it looks, especially during hot Indian summers. I noticed that leaves exposed to harsh sun for long periods can become dull or develop sunburn-like damage. If your balcony receives strong afternoon sun, move the plant slightly away from the direct rays.

4. Feed Lightly with Organic Compost

For a soil-grown money plant, a small amount of organic compost or vermicompost once in a while is usually enough for a home gardener. I prefer using organic matter rather than overfeeding the plant with strong chemical fertilizers.

More fertilizer does not always mean faster growth. One mistake many beginners make is feeding a small indoor plant too heavily. A little patience works better.

If you enjoy making natural food for your plants, you may also like our article on how to make compost at home from everyday organic waste .

🌱 Read: How to Make Compost Tea ➜

Money Plant Care in Water

Growing money plants directly in water is probably one of the easiest ways to enjoy them indoors. A simple cutting with a healthy node can root in water, and watching those tiny white roots appear is always satisfying.

You can watch our video on growing money plants directly in water for a closer look at the process.

1. Keep the Container Clean

Cleanliness matters more than people realise when growing a money plant in water. Over time, algae or slimy growth can appear inside the bottle or container, especially if it receives a lot of light.

I usually check the container regularly and clean it whenever it starts looking dirty. Changing the water around once a week is a simple habit that keeps the setup fresh.

2. Maintain the Water Level

Make sure the roots and the lower node remain in contact with water, but do not overcrowd the container with too many cuttings. As water evaporates, simply add fresh water to maintain the level.

3. Give It Bright, Indirect Light

A bright window is usually ideal. The same rule applies here: bright indirect light is generally safer than harsh direct sunlight.

4. Do Not Overdo Fertilizer

A simple water-grown money plant can survive for a long time without regular fertilizer. I would avoid randomly adding strong fertilizers to the water, especially in small containers, because too much can damage the roots or make the water unpleasant.

If you want to keep a money plant in water for long-term growth, a properly diluted nutrient solution can sometimes be used, but for a simple home setup, keeping the water clean is often the more important job.

Can You Propagate a Money Plant?

Yes, very easily. This is another reason money plants are so popular with beginners. You can take a healthy stem cutting with at least one node and place it in water. After the roots develop, you can continue growing it in water or transfer it into soil.

I have always found propagation satisfying because one healthy parent plant can eventually give you several new plants. Just do not cut randomly between leaves. Make sure the cutting includes a node, because that is where new roots and growth can develop.

Money Plant and Feng Shui

In many homes, the money plant is kept because it is traditionally associated with prosperity, abundance and positive energy. Feng Shui beliefs about plants and their placement are also popular, and many people choose to keep lush green plants in living spaces for a feeling of freshness and harmony.

Personally, I think the nicest part is simply watching a healthy plant grow. There is a small sense of satisfaction when a new leaf slowly unfurls after you have cared for the plant for weeks.

🌿 Read: 10 Plants for Positive Energy ➜

Common Money Plant Care Mistakes to Avoid

• Overwatering the soil: This can cause weak growth and root problems.
• Keeping it in harsh direct sun: Strong sunlight can damage or dull the leaves.
• Using a container without drainage: Soil-grown plants need excess water to escape.
• Ignoring dirty water: Water-grown plants still need a clean container and regular water changes.
• Adding too much fertilizer: A money plant does not need heavy feeding to stay healthy.
• Propagating without a node: A cutting needs a proper node for successful rooting.

My Final Thoughts on Growing Money Plant

Whether you grow your money plant in soil or water, the basic idea is surprisingly simple: give it decent light, do not drown it, and leave it alone enough to grow at its own pace.

In my experience, money plants are perfect for people who want to start gardening without immediately dealing with a demanding plant. They forgive small mistakes, propagate easily and look beautiful almost anywhere in the house.

So if you have been thinking about bringing home your first indoor plant, a simple Pothos cutting may be a lovely place to begin. Give it a bright corner, watch the soil or water carefully, and enjoy the little surprise of every new leaf.

And if you are building your own indoor garden, you may also enjoy our best indoor plants for home and office and succulent care guide for beginners .

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