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The money plant is golden pothos grown the Indian way: a cutting in a bottle of water, topped up weekly and fully changed every 1-2 weeks. It roots in days, lives for years in water alone, and costs almost nothing — a cutting from a neighbour is the traditional way to get one. This page covers the water method; for soil-grown pothos care, see the main pothos guide. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Key facts
- In India and much of Southeast Asia 'money plant' means golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) — the same species sold as pothos or devil's ivy in the West.
- Traditionally grown in plain water in a glass bottle, often on a kitchen windowsill or climbing along a balcony grille — no soil, no fertilizer, for years.
- Vastu and feng shui traditions associate it with wealth and good fortune, which is where the 'money plant' name comes from.
- Water-grown plants grow slower and with smaller leaves than soil-grown ones — that's normal, not a problem.
Care requirements#
| Plant type | Indoor vine, grown in water (traditional) or soil |
| Growing medium | Plain water in a glass bottle or jar; tap water left overnight to off-gas chlorine works fine |
| Water change | Top up weekly; fully change the water every 1-2 weeks before it turns cloudy |
| Container | Glass bottle, jar, or vase — opaque containers slow algae growth |
| Light needs | Bright indirect light; tolerates low light with slower growth and less variegation |
| Humidity | Unfussy; ordinary home humidity is fine |
| Temperature range | 18-30°C (65-86°F); keep above 10°C (50°F) |
| Fertilizer | Optional — a drop of diluted liquid fertilizer monthly speeds growth in water |
| Support | Trails from a shelf or climbs a string/moss pole; often trained along balcony grilles |
| Algae control | Rinse the bottle at each water change; keep the bottle out of direct sun |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if chewed (calcium oxalate crystals) |
Growth & propagation#
| Mature size | Vines 1-3m indoors in water; longer and larger-leaved in soil |
| Growth rate | Moderate in water, fast in soil |
| Propagation methods | Stem cuttings with at least one node placed straight into water |
| Propagation difficulty | Among the easiest of any houseplant — roots visible within 1-2 weeks |
| Refresh schedule | Restart leggy vines from fresh cuttings every couple of years |
| Pruning needs | Trim to shape; every trimming is a new plant |
Common problems & troubleshooting#
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Water turns cloudy or smelly | Stale water and rotting debris | Change the water fully, rinse the bottle and roots, remove any mushy root sections |
| Yellowing lower leaves | Normal ageing, or water left unchanged too long | Remove yellow leaves and get on a regular 1-2 week water-change rhythm |
| Green algae coating the bottle | Clear glass in bright light | Rinse the bottle, move it out of direct sun, or switch to an opaque container |
| Pale leaves losing golden variegation | Too little light | Move closer to a bright window; new leaves will regain variegation |
| Stems rotting at the waterline | A leaf submerged underwater decaying | Strip any leaves below the waterline; only bare stem and nodes should be submerged |
Remember the water change
Sodate reminds you to top up and change the bottle water before it goes stale and murky.
Seasonal care#
Varieties & cultivars#
| Variety | Distinguishing trait | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Golden pothos (the classic money plant) | Green leaves splashed with gold-yellow | The default money plant across India |
| Marble Queen | Heavy white-and-green marbling | Slower growing; needs brighter light |
| Neon | Uniform bright chartreuse leaves | No variegation to lose in low light |
Buying checklist#
- Honestly: ask a friend or neighbour for a cutting first — that's the tradition, and it costs nothing
- If buying, pick a vine with several healthy nodes and no yellow leaves
- For a water-grown start, cuttings root more reliably than transplanting a soil plant into water
- Check variegation is bold — pale plants have been kept in low light
Pricing by region#
| Region | Price range | Typical unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | $0 – $2 | cutting or small bottle plant | Cuttings shared free; nursery pots cheap |
| US | $8 – $20 | 4-6in pot | Big-box + nursery retail (sold as golden pothos) |
| UK | $8 – $19 | 12cm pot | Garden centre retail (sold as devil's ivy) |
| Australia | $7 – $17 | 130mm pot | Nursery retail |
| Canada | $7 – $18 | 4-6in pot | Garden centre retail |
USD figures are approximate conversions for comparison; switch the dropdown to see each region's actual local-currency listing price.
Often confused with#
Name confusion warning#
"Money plant" means different plants in different countries. In India and Southeast Asia it means golden pothos (this page). In the West, "money plant" or "Chinese money plant" usually means Pilea peperomioides (round coin-shaped leaves), and in some regions it means jade plant (Crassula ovata). Check the botanical name before buying online.
Where it's actually grown#
Almost nobody buys a money plant in India — cuttings pass between households, and nurseries sell rooted pots for under ₹150. Western retail stock (labelled golden pothos or devil's ivy) is mass-propagated in Florida, the Netherlands, and Southeast Asian nurseries.
Import & biosecurity restrictions#
| Region | Note |
|---|---|
| Australia | Live plant imports restricted under biosecurity law; abundantly available domestically. |
| US | No restriction; sold everywhere as golden pothos. |
| UK | No restriction; sold as devil's ivy. |
| India | No restriction; the single most common houseplant in the country. |
| Canada | CFIA permits for commercial imports; widely grown domestically. |
Similar plants
Did you know?
Frequently asked questions
Can a money plant really live in just water?
Yes — golden pothos survives for years in plain water, provided you change the water every 1-2 weeks and give it decent light. Growth is slower and leaves smaller than in soil, which is normal.
Is the money plant the same as pothos?
Yes. In India and Southeast Asia, 'money plant' is the everyday name for golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) — see our main pothos guide for soil-grown care.
Is the money plant safe for pets?
No — like all pothos, it contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, causing mouth pain and drooling.
How often should I change the water?
Top up weekly and do a full water change every 1-2 weeks, rinsing the bottle to prevent algae and stale-water rot.
Does the money plant bring wealth?
That's the folk belief in vastu and feng shui traditions, which is where the name comes from — botanically it's simply a very hard-to-kill vine.
