Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

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Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) | Natures Farm

January
In nature
Cool, dry season in Tamil Nadu. Growth slows under lower light and cooler nights.
What to do
Water less often. Let the top of the mix dry before watering. Keep away from cold draft windows and air conditioning vents. Do not fertilise.
February
In nature
Cool, dry. Growth is slow to moderate.
What to do
Check for pests under leaves and along stems. Rotate the pot for even light. Avoid overwatering.
March
In nature
Warming up. New growth begins as days lengthen.
What to do
Resume light watering. Start feeding with a balanced fertiliser at low strength. Repot if roots are circling the pot.
April
In nature
Hot, dry pre-monsoon. Strong growth, but leaves can scorch in direct sun.
What to do
Move away from direct afternoon sun. Water when the mix begins to dry. Feed every few weeks. Mist or wipe leaves to reduce dust and pests.
May
In nature
Hottest month. Fast growth where light is bright and indirect.
What to do
Water more often on hot days but check first. Keep humidity up with a tray of pebbles. Take stem cuttings for propagation if the plant is leggy.
June
In nature
Southwest monsoon starts. Humidity rises and growth continues.
What to do
Reduce watering as humidity rises. Watch for fungus gnats and root rot. Ensure pots drain well.
July
In nature
Monsoon humidity. Growth steady in a sheltered spot.
What to do
Keep leaves dry to prevent spotting. Continue light feeding. Check for mealybugs and scale.
August
In nature
Monsoon. Growth steady to slow.
What to do
Water only when the top of the mix is dry. Do not feed heavily. Keep out of heavy rain if the plant is on a balcony.
September
In nature
Monsoon ends in parts of the state. Growth picks up again.
What to do
Resume regular feeding every few weeks. Trim leggy stems and root cuttings in water or moist mix.
October
In nature
North-east monsoon begins. Cooler, more humid conditions.
What to do
Reduce watering and feeding. Improve airflow to prevent rot. Move pots off cold floors.
November · This month
In nature
North-east monsoon. Growth slows as light falls.
What to do
Water sparingly. Check for root rot and yellowing. Keep plant away from cold drafts.
December
In nature
Cooler, drier weather; growth is slow.
What to do
Water rarely. Do not fertilise. Keep at a warm, bright indoor spot. Repot only if essential.

Ratings out of 10

Ratings out of 10
Rating	Score
Beginner friendly	10 / 10
Easy to maintain	9 / 10
Fits small spaces	7 / 10
Low cost to keep	10 / 10
Hardiness	8 / 10
Growth speed	8 / 10
Overall	8.7 / 10

10 is always the easy end. Space: 10 = needs very little space. Cost: 10 = cheap to keep. Overall is the average (lifespan not included).

Food and nutrition

Money plant is a foliage plant grown mainly for its leaves, so it needs little food.
In soil, feed a balanced liquid fertiliser (for example, a general-purpose NPK feed at half the strength on the label) once a month from March to September, the active growing season in Tamil Nadu.
Skip feeding from November to February, when growth slows, and never feed a plant that is newly repotted or wilting from dryness.
Organic options work well: diluted vermicompost tea, well-rotted cow dung slurry, or a thin layer of vermicompost or leaf mould on top of the soil, refreshed once or twice a year.
In water culture, change the water every 2 to 3 weeks and add a very weak liquid feed only once a month during the growing season
- excess fertiliser in water causes brown, slimy roots
Use only clean, non-chlorinated or stood-overnight tap water or rainwater.
Avoid fresh raw manure or strong chemical fertilisers in pots, as they can burn roots and leaves.

Care guide

Keep away from direct afternoon sun; toxic to pets if eaten.

Common pests and diseases, how to spot them, and what to do first.

Money plant is generally a hardy, forgiving houseplant, but its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, lips and skin, and it is toxic to dogs and cats if chewed.
Keep it away from toddlers, children who chew leaves, and pets that nibble plants.
If someone or an animal chews or swallows leaves and shows swelling, drooling, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, get medical or veterinary help at once.
In India, the National Poisons Information Centre at AIIMS New Delhi can advise
- check its current helpline number before relying on it, and go to the nearest government hospital in an emergency
Ask a vet for treatment and dose for any animal that has been affected.

How urgent: Keep an eye on itAct todayUrgent: ask a plant expert

Yellowing leaves from overwateringAct today
How to identify
- Leaves turn yellow, often starting at the lower part of the plant
- Soil stays wet for many days and may smell sour
- Stems turn soft or mushy near the soil line
- Roots look brown and soft when the pot is checked
Likely cause
Too much water or poor drainage keeps the roots waterlogged, so they cannot take up oxygen.
What to do now
1. Stop watering until the top 3 to 4 cm of soil is dry.
2. Check that the pot has drainage holes; repot into fresh, well-draining mix if needed.
3. Trim off rotted roots and yellow leaves with clean scissors.
4. Water again only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Prevention
- Water only when the top few centimetres of soil are dry, usually once a week in summer and less during the Tamil Nadu north-east monsoon (October to December).
- Use a pot with drainage holes and a light, airy potting mix.
- Empty saucers after watering so the pot does not sit in water.
Brown, crispy leaf edgesKeep an eye on it
How to identify
- Leaf tips and edges turn brown and dry
- Brown patches may appear mainly on older leaves
- Soil is often dry or the plant sits near a fan, cooler or heater vent
Likely cause
Low humidity, underwatering, dry air from fans or air conditioning, or a salt build-up from fertiliser.
What to do now
1. Move the plant away from direct fans, air-conditioner vents and heaters.
2. Water thoroughly until water drains out, then let the top layer dry before watering again.
3. Flush the pot with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts if the soil has a white crust.
Prevention
- Keep the plant in bright, indirect light and away from hot, dry drafts.
- Group plants together or place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles to raise local humidity.
- Feed lightly and avoid overfeeding.
MealybugsAct today
How to identify
- White, cottony woolly clusters in leaf joints, under leaves and along stems
- Sticky honeydew on leaves or pot
- Leaves look weak, curled or stunted
Likely cause
Mealybugs are sap-sucking insects that spread easily between houseplants, often arriving on new plants.
What to do now
1. Isolate the plant away from other plants.
2. Wipe visible mealybugs off with a cotton swab dipped in water with a few drops of mild soap, or rinse the leaves with water.
3. Repeat checks every few days for two to three weeks, since eggs hatch over time.
4. For heavy infestations, ask a plant expert or nursery for a suitable treatment and follow the label.
Prevention
- Inspect new plants before bringing them home and keep them separate for a few weeks.
- Check the leaf joints and undersides every couple of weeks.
- Avoid excess nitrogen fertiliser, which encourages soft growth that pests favour.
Scale insectsKeep an eye on it
How to identify
- Small brown, tan or grey bumps stuck to stems and leaf undersides
- Sticky honeydew and sometimes black sooty mould
- Yellowing or dropping leaves in heavy cases
Likely cause
Scale insects are sap-feeding pests that stay fixed in one place and are often missed because they look like part of the stem.
What to do now
1. Isolate the plant.
2. Scrape off scales gently with a soft brush or fingernail, or wipe with a cloth dipped in soapy water.
3. Wash the leaves and stems with water, then recheck after a week.
4. If infestation persists, ask a plant expert for advice on a suitable treatment.
Prevention
- Check stems and leaf undersides regularly, especially on plants moved outdoors in the rains.
- Keep the air moving and avoid overcrowding plants.
Root rotUrgent: ask a plant expert
How to identify
- Wilting even when soil is wet
- Black or brown, mushy roots with a bad smell
- Stem base is soft and dark
Likely cause
Fungus or bacteria that thrive in soggy, poorly aerated soil, usually after long periods of overwatering.
What to do now
1. Remove the plant from the pot and wash away the old soil.
2. Cut away all black, soft roots with sterile scissors.
3. Repot in fresh, dry, well-draining mix in a clean pot with drainage holes.
4. Water sparingly until new roots appear; if the plant is severely affected, ask a plant expert for advice.
Prevention
- Water only when the top soil is dry and avoid saucers holding water.
- Use sterilised pots and clean tools.
Pale or leggy growth with small leavesKeep an eye on it
How to identify
- Long stems with wide gaps between leaves
- Leaves become smaller and lose their variegation (yellow or white patches)
Likely cause
Too little light, so the plant stretches to reach brighter areas.
What to do now
1. Move the plant to a brighter spot with bright, indirect light.
2. Trim leggy stems to encourage bushier growth; cuttings can be rooted in water.
Prevention
- Give bright, indirect light most of the day; avoid deep shade for long periods.
- Rotate the pot every few weeks so growth stays even.
Sunburn on leavesKeep an eye on it
How to identify
- Pale, bleached or brown scorched patches on leaves facing a window
- Crispy, papery leaf areas
Likely cause
Direct harsh afternoon sun, especially through glass, which is strong in Tamil Nadu summers.
What to do now
1. Move the plant to a spot out of direct sun, or pull back a curtain or add a sheer screen.
2. Trim badly scorched leaves; new growth will be healthy if light is gentler.
Prevention
- Place the plant a metre or more from a sunny window, or use filtered light.

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Rules in India

Legal status in India: Our checks did not confirm that Epipremnum aureum appears on the schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 or in the CITES appendices, and this could not be checked against the official schedule text during this review.
Verify with the Chief Wildlife Warden or the State Forest Department before any sale, transport or wildlife-area planting.
Seeds Act, 1966: The Act defines seed for a limited set of classes, namely food crops (including fruits and vegetables), cotton, cattle fodder and jute, along with vegetative material such as cuttings only when it belongs to food crops or cattle fodder.
Ornamental pothos cuttings therefore fall outside the Act's definition of seed, so the Seeds Act should not be assumed to govern pothos sales.
Ordinary nursery norms still apply: honest labelling with the correct name Epipremnum aureum, clean and disease-free stock, and any state horticulture or nursery licence rules.
Verify the current state requirements with the State Department of Horticulture.
Movement and exports: Plant material moved across state lines or sent abroad may need a phytosanitary certificate issued under the plant quarantine system of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Import rules differ by country, so confirm with the national plant protection authority of the destination and the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage before shipping.
Invasiveness: Outside its native range the species is invasive in several places.
It is listed as invasive in south Florida and as a caution-list species in central Florida, and it is considered invasive in Hawaii and several Pacific islands.
Pothos can climb trees, smother canopies and form dense stands in forest understory, and any piece left behind can regrow.
In Tamil Nadu, do not plant it outdoors near forests, forest edges, wetlands, mangroves or protected areas, and do not dump cuttings or garden waste into natural areas.
Seek advice from the local Forest Department before any outdoor planting near such areas.
Labelling: Toxicity labelling is advisable because the sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, lips and skin.
For any specific wildlife, export or sale question, verify with the Chief Wildlife Warden, the State Forest Department or the relevant plant quarantine authority.

Conservation

Money plant is not considered threatened in the wild; it is widely cultivated and naturalised across warm, humid regions.
Its native range is the Solomon Islands area of the western Pacific, and it is now common in gardens and homes in India.
Conservation concern is mainly about spread rather than loss: in some tropical areas it climbs trees and can crowd out native plants, so do not discard cuttings or soil in forests, streams or wild places.
How people can help: buy healthy plants from reputable nurseries, propagate new plants from cuttings at home, keep plants in pots or gardens, dispose of trimmings in compost or household waste, and avoid releasing plants into wild areas.
Verify with the Chief Wildlife Warden or local Forest Department if you find it growing naturally in a protected area.

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Where it is found

Natural habitat

Soil, water and climate

Life cycle

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Food and nutrition

Care guide

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

How to identify

Likely cause

What to do now

Prevention

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Rules in India

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