How to Grow Money Plant (Pothos) at Home in India

Why Money Plant is India's Most Popular Indoor Plant

Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum, also called Pothos) has been the defining indoor plant of Indian apartments for decades, and for good reason. It is almost impossible to kill. It grows in water, soil or semi-hydro. It tolerates near-darkness that would kill most plants. It handles neglect, erratic watering, air conditioning, and all four Indian seasons. It produces vigorous trailing growth that makes balconies and indoor spaces visually lush within months. And the NASA Clean Air Study identified it as one of the most effective air purifiers available — removing formaldehyde, benzene and xylene from indoor air.

Growing in Soil vs Water

Money plant grows in both soil and water — the growing medium affects growth rate and maintenance requirements. In soil: faster growth, needs watering every 5 to 10 days, produces larger leaves, requires occasional fertilizing. In water: slower growth, change water every 7 to 10 days, no fertilizing required, clear visibility of root development. For balconies: soil-grown in hanging pots or trained along railings produces the most impressive visual impact. For indoors: both work well — water-growing bottles are the most popular low-maintenance indoor option.

Light Requirements

Money plant is one of the most light-tolerant plants available to Indian gardeners. It survives in near-darkness that would kill most houseplants, though growth slows significantly and variegation fades in low light. Best growth: bright indirect light near a window that receives good ambient daylight but not direct sunbeams. The variegated varieties (golden and marble queen) need more light than plain green varieties to maintain their yellow and white colouring. On balconies: partial shade positions work well — money plant does not need direct sun.

Propagation — One Plant Becomes Many

Money plant propagates with extraordinary ease. Cut any stem section with at least one leaf node — the small brown bump on the stem where a leaf attaches. Place in water or directly into moist soil. Roots develop within 2 to 3 weeks. A single well-established money plant can yield 20 to 30 cuttings per year, each of which establishes as a new plant. This makes money plant one of the most cost-effective plants to acquire — buy one, propagate indefinitely.

Common Problems and Solutions

Yellow leaves: most commonly caused by over-watering — allow soil to dry more thoroughly between waterings. Pale or fading variegation: insufficient light — move to brighter indirect light position. Brown leaf tips: low humidity or fluoride in tap water — use water left overnight in open container. Leggy growth with large gaps between leaves: insufficient light — move to brighter position. Pests are rare on money plant in Indian conditions but mealybugs occasionally appear in leaf joints — treat with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.