How to Care for a Money Plant Indoors

“Money plant” can refer to different houseplants, including pothos (Epipremnum aureum), jade plant (Crassula ovata), and money tree (Pachira aquatica). Their care differs, especially when it comes to watering. Check the plant’s label or compare its leaves and growth habit before following a routine. The guidance below focuses on the widely grown vining pothos; notes for jade plants and money trees are included where care differs.

What You’ll Need

A pot with drainage holes and a saucer or waterproof tray
Indoor potting mix; for pothos, a standard houseplant mix is suitable
A watering can or cup, and a finger or wooden stick to check soil
Clean scissors or pruning shears for removing damaged growth
Optional: balanced houseplant fertilizer for the growing season

Step-by-Step

Identify the plant. Pothos has trailing stems and usually heart-shaped leaves. A money tree has an upright woody trunk and palmate leaves made of several leaflets. Jade has thick, fleshy oval leaves and sturdy stems. If you are unsure, prioritize the plant label: care advice for a drought-tolerant jade can lead to underwatering a pothos, while frequent pothos watering can harm jade.
Choose a suitable spot. Place pothos in bright, indirect light, such as near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a brighter window. It tolerates lower light, but growth may slow and variegated leaves can lose some pattern. Keep foliage from pressing against cold glass and avoid harsh midday sun, which can scorch leaves. Money trees also prefer bright, indirect light. Jade needs strong light and can usually take some gentle direct sun after gradual adjustment.
Use a draining pot. Pick a container with holes at the bottom, sized just large enough for the root ball. A pot that is much too large holds excess wet soil around the roots. Set it on a saucer, but empty water that collects there rather than letting the pot sit in it. A decorative cachepot is fine if the inner nursery pot can be lifted out for watering and draining.
Check the soil before watering. For pothos, press a finger about an inch or two into the mix. If it feels dry at that depth, water; if it still feels damp, check again later. Water needs vary with temperature, light, pot size, and season, so a fixed weekly schedule is less reliable than checking the soil. For jade, let the mix dry out more thoroughly between waterings. Money trees generally prefer evenly lightly moist—not soggy—soil, so check the upper layer and water when it has begun to dry.
Water thoroughly, then drain. Pour water over the soil until it runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain fully and discard excess from the saucer. Avoid small, frequent sips that wet only the surface, and do not leave roots standing in water. If the mix has become very dry and water runs straight through, apply water slowly in several passes to re-wet it.
Keep conditions steady. Typical indoor temperatures suit these tropical plants, but protect pothos and money trees from cold drafts, heating or air-conditioning blasts, and sudden temperature swings. Ordinary home humidity is often adequate for pothos; brown tips may be more likely in very dry air. A room humidifier can raise humidity, but misting leaves does not reliably change the room’s humidity for long.
Feed modestly during active growth. If the plant is growing, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer according to its label, generally during spring and summer. Do not feed dry, stressed, or dormant plants, and do not exceed the label directions. Fertilizer cannot compensate for poor light, damaged roots, or incorrect watering. Reduce or pause feeding when growth slows in winter.
Prune and clean as needed. Use clean scissors to remove yellow or dead leaves. Trim long pothos vines just above a leaf node to encourage a fuller shape; healthy cuttings can be rooted separately. Wipe dust from leaves with a damp cloth so they can receive light efficiently. Avoid unnecessary heavy pruning, particularly when the plant is already struggling.
Repot when roots need room. Consider repotting when roots crowd the pot, emerge from drainage holes, or the mix dries unusually quickly. Move up only one pot size and use fresh, appropriate potting mix. Spring or early summer is a practical time, but a plant with severely waterlogged or damaged roots may need prompt attention. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was growing before.
Check it regularly. Look over both sides of leaves and along stems for pests, spots, or changes in color. Turn the pot occasionally for even growth, while keeping its light exposure generally consistent. Remove fallen leaves, and keep the plant out of reach of children and pets; pothos can irritate if chewed.

Common Mistakes

Watering by calendar: Soil dries at different rates in different homes. Check its moisture rather than assuming it needs water on a particular day.
Using a pot without drainage: Excess water can collect around roots and cause rot. A layer of rocks at the bottom does not replace drainage holes.
Overwatering a jade: Its thick leaves store water, so it needs soil to dry more between waterings than pothos. Yellow, soft leaves can be a warning that the mix stays wet too long.
Putting the plant in harsh sun or deep darkness: Too much direct sun may scorch leaves, while very low light can cause weak, sparse growth.
Overfertilizing or repotting too often: Excess fertilizer can damage roots, and repeated unnecessary repotting stresses the plant. Fix the growing conditions first.

Tips

Use room-temperature water and water the soil rather than routinely wetting foliage.
In winter or during a cool, dim period, check soil less often because it may dry more slowly.
If your tap water leaves crusty deposits on the soil or leaf edges, try rainwater or filtered water if convenient.
Keep a simple note of when you checked or watered, but let the soil—not the note—determine whether it is time again.
Rotate the pot a little every few weeks if the plant leans toward the window.

Troubleshooting

Yellow leaves: One older leaf occasionally yellowing can be normal. If several leaves yellow, check whether the soil is staying wet, the pot drains, and the plant has enough light. Let overly wet soil dry and empty the saucer; if stems or roots are soft and foul-smelling, remove damaged material and repot in fresh, well-draining mix.
Brown, crispy edges: Check for very dry soil, intense direct sun, or hot, dry airflow. Adjust the cause gradually; do not respond automatically by watering more if the soil is already damp.
Drooping leaves: Feel the soil first. Dry soil may mean the plant needs a thorough watering, while wet soil suggests excess moisture or poor drainage. Correct the condition and allow time for recovery.
Leggy vines or small leaves: Move pothos closer to bright, indirect light and trim sparse stems if desired. Growth can also slow when the plant needs repotting, but check the roots before changing pot size.
Spots, webbing, or sticky residue: Inspect closely for pests. Isolate the plant from others, remove badly affected leaves, and follow the label on any product intended for houseplants. Recheck nearby plants for signs of spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water a money plant indoors?

There is no dependable one-size-fits-all schedule. For pothos, water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry; jade needs the soil to dry more thoroughly, while money trees prefer lightly moist but not soggy soil.

Can a money plant grow in low light?

Pothos can tolerate lower light, but it usually grows more slowly and variegated leaves may become greener. Bright, indirect light is a better everyday location for healthy growth.

Why are my money plant’s leaves turning yellow?

Overwatering and poor drainage are common causes, though light changes and normal aging can also play a role. Check the soil, pot, and overall pattern before changing your routine.

Should I mist my money plant?

Misting is not necessary for most indoor pothos and does not provide lasting humidity. Keep leaves clean, and address persistently dry air with a room humidifier if needed.

Is a money plant safe for pets?

“Money plant” can mean several species, so confirm the plant’s identity before assessing risk. Pothos can irritate the mouth if chewed; keep it out of pets’ reach and contact a veterinarian if an animal eats it or shows signs of illness.

When should I repot an indoor money plant?

Repot when roots are crowded or the mix is drying unusually fast, rather than on a rigid annual schedule. Choose a pot only modestly larger, with drainage holes.

Further reading: Royal Horticultural Society. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.