PlantsDoctor · Plant Care
How to Care for a Money Plant
A practical golden pothos guide: identify your money plant, choose suitable light, check watering and keep pets safe.
First, identify which money plant you have
Money plant is a common name, not a single species. This guide concerns golden pothos, Epipremnum aureum: a climbing or trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves, often marked with yellow or cream. Jade plants and other plants also receive the same nickname, but need different care.
Compare several mature leaves and the growth habit rather than relying on a label or one photograph. If the identity is uncertain, ask for help before applying a species-specific watering routine.
Choose bright, indirect light
Place golden pothos where it receives useful daylight without prolonged harsh sun. Near a bright window with filtered light is often more suitable than the far corner of a room. Variegated leaves may lose some contrast when the light is too weak.
Acclimatise a plant gradually when moving it to a brighter position. Pale patches or dry, scorched areas after a sudden move are reasons to reassess the exposure, not automatically to add more water.
Water the potting mix, not the calendar
Check below the surface and lift the pot before watering. Let the upper layer dry, then water evenly until excess escapes through the drainage holes. Empty the outer cover pot or saucer once drainage is complete.
A cutting grown in water and a rooted plant grown in mix are different setups. For water-grown cuttings, keep submerged roots clean and change the water when necessary; do not assume a soil-grown plant should stand permanently in water.
Pruning, support and safety
Trim long vines with clean tools if you want a fuller shape, or provide a stable support for climbing growth. Wipe dusty leaves gently and inspect the stems and leaf undersides when doing routine care.
Golden pothos is unsafe for pets to chew and can irritate the mouth. Keep plants and cuttings away from children and animals, and contact a qualified medical or veterinary professional if ingestion occurs.
Further reading
- RHS · Growing Epipremnum
- University of Minnesota Extension · Watering houseplants
- ASPCA · Devil’s ivy safety
General care guidance, not a confirmed diagnosis. Exact species, growing conditions and individual circumstances matter.