Money Plant Care: The Complete Guide

Money plant care basics for Pune homes

The money plant (Epipremnum aureum, or pothos) is the most forgiving houseplant you can grow, which is exactly why it is a fixture in Pune homes and offices. It tolerates low light, irregular watering and dry indoor air, and it grows happily in either a pot of soil or a simple glass of water.

It is also a proven air-purifier and grows fast, so a small cutting quickly becomes a lush trailing vine. This guide covers both growing methods and the handful of issues that occasionally trip owners up.

Growing money plant in water vs soil

Both methods work well in Pune. Water growing is clean, decorative and effortless; soil growing produces faster, fuller growth. You can even move a plant from one to the other.

• In water: use a clear bottle, keep nodes submerged, change water weekly
• In water: add a drop of liquid fertiliser monthly for stronger growth
• In soil: use a well-draining potting mix and water when the top layer dries
• In soil: growth is faster and leaves are usually larger
• A plant grown in water can be shifted to soil, though it may sulk briefly while adjusting

Light, water and placement

Money plant adapts to a wide range of conditions, but a little attention to placement keeps it looking its best rather than leggy and pale.

• Prefers bright indirect light; tolerates low light with slower growth
• Avoid harsh direct summer sun through a window, which scorches leaves
• Water soil-grown plants only when the top few centimetres are dry
• Ease off watering during the humid monsoon to avoid root rot
• Great for shaded balconies, bathrooms and office desks

Common money plant problems and fixes

Money plants rarely die, but they do show a few tell-tale signs when something is off. Almost all are easy to correct.

• Yellow leaves: usually overwatering; let the soil dry out more between waterings
• Brown leaf tips: dry air or salt build-up; mist occasionally and flush the soil
• Leggy, sparse growth: too little light; move to a brighter spot and prune
• Pale small leaves: needs feeding; add a diluted liquid fertiliser
• Rotting stems in water: change the water more often and trim mushy roots

Propagation and training

Money plant is one of the easiest plants to multiply, making it perfect for filling more pots or sharing with friends. Pune's warm climate means cuttings root quickly for most of the year.

Cut a stem just below a node, ensuring at least one leaf and one node, and place it in water or moist soil. Roots appear within a week or two. Train the vines up a moss pole for an upright look, or let them trail from a hanging pot or shelf.