I started growing money plant in water after my soil versions kept dying from overwatering. Learning how to grow money plant in water turned into one of my favorite indoor plant habits. The roots look cool. The vines stay green. And I never deal with messy dirt on my shelves again.
Honestly? I almost gave up the first time. My cutting sat there for weeks with zero action. Then I fixed a few basic mistakes and everything clicked. Now I keep three jars going on my windowsill year-round. They trail nicely and somehow make the whole room feel calmer.
You can do this too. No fancy gear required. Just a cutting, clean water, and a bit of patience.
Why I Prefer Growing Money Plant in Water
Money plant (the common name for pothos) adapts to water like a champ. I used to think water growing was only temporary. Then I left one cutting in a jar for months and watched it thrive.
The benefits hit me right away. No soil means no fungus gnats. No overwatering drama. The clear glass shows the roots developing, which I find weirdly satisfying. Plus it fits small spaces perfectly. My kitchen counter holds two jars without crowding anything.
I also like the low daily effort. Change the water once a week. Give it bright indirect light. That’s mostly it. FYI, some people claim it brings good luck according to old beliefs. I just enjoy the green trails.
Soil-grown plants still grow bigger overall. But for easy indoor display, water wins for me every time.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather these simple items. I keep them ready so I can start a new cutting whenever a vine gets too long.
- A healthy money plant vine with at least two or three leaves and clear nodes (those little bumps on the stem)
- Sharp clean scissors or a knife
- A clear glass jar, bottle, or vase (clear helps me watch the roots)
- Clean room-temperature water
- Optional: a few decorative pebbles or marbles to hold the stem steady
That’s the whole list. I reuse old jam jars most of the time. They work great.
How to Grow Money Plant in Water Step by Step
This is the exact process I follow now. It works consistently.
Pick the Right Cutting
Look for a strong green vine. Avoid yellow or limp sections. I cut a piece about 4 to 6 inches long. The cut goes just below a node. Roots only grow from those nodes. Skip the node and the cutting fails. I learned that the hard way.
Prep the Cutting Properly
Remove the lower leaves. Any leaf that would sit in the water will rot and cloud everything. Leave two or three leaves at the top. Those stay above the waterline.
Set Up the Jar
Fill the jar with clean water. If your tap water smells strongly of chlorine, let it sit out overnight. Room temperature feels best. Cold water shocks the stem.
Place the cutting so at least one node sits fully underwater. The leaves stay dry.
Find the Right Spot
Bright indirect light is key. I put mine a few feet from an east window. Direct sun heats the water and scorches leaves. Too dark and roots form slowly.
Wait for Roots
Tiny white roots usually appear in 10 to 14 days. Sometimes it takes three weeks. Warmth speeds things up. I check every few days but try not to move the jar too much once roots start.
Change the water every 5 to 7 days during this stage. Fresh water keeps oxygen high and stops bacteria.
Once the roots reach 2 to 3 inches, the plant can stay in water permanently. I never felt the need to move mine to soil after that point.
Caring for Your Water-Grown Money Plant Long Term
Rooted plants need ongoing attention, but it stays simple.
Change the water weekly. I pour out the old water, rinse the jar, and refill. Sometimes I rinse the roots gently under the tap too. This prevents slime and algae.
Top up the water between changes if it evaporates. Keep the nodes submerged.
Add a tiny bit of liquid houseplant fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks. I dilute it to one-quarter strength. A few drops in the jar is plenty. Full strength burns the roots. Skip feeding in winter when growth slows.
Prune when the vines get leggy. Snip just above a node. Those trimmings become new cuttings. I love that cycle.
Rotate the jar every week or so. This keeps growth even on all sides.
If algae appears, move the jar out of direct light or switch to a tinted glass. Clean the jar thoroughly during the next water change.
Common Mistakes I Made (and How You Can Skip Them)
My first few tries taught me plenty.
I once left leaves underwater. They turned mushy fast and ruined the water. Now I check carefully every time.
Cloudy or smelly water means I waited too long between changes. Weekly swaps fixed that completely.
No roots after a month usually means the cutting lacked a proper node. Double-check before you start.
Direct afternoon sun burned some leaves once. I moved everything and the new growth stayed healthy.
Over-fertilizing made the water go green and the roots look stressed. Less is more. IMO a light touch works best.
Yellow leaves can signal low light or old water. Fresh water and a brighter spot usually turn things around within days.
Extra Tips That Help My Plants Grow Fuller and Faster
Warm spots speed root growth. I keep jars away from cold drafts.
Multiple cuttings in one jar create a fuller look right away. I mix a couple of different leaf patterns sometimes for variety.
Add a few clean pebbles at the bottom. They keep the stem upright and look nice.
Trim the tips of long vines. This encourages side shoots and bushier growth.
If roots get super long and tangled, I snip some back to about 4 inches. Fresh roots form and the plant stays vigorous.
Clean the jar monthly with a bottle brush if algae builds up. Prevention is easier than scrubbing later.
These small habits keep my plants looking lush without much work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a money plant to root in water?
Most cuttings show roots in 10 to 14 days. Full usable roots take 2 to 4 weeks depending on light and warmth.
Can a money plant live in water forever?
Yes. Mine have stayed healthy in water for over a year. They grow a bit slower than in soil but stay attractive and low maintenance.
How often should I change the water when I grow money plant in water?
Every 5 to 7 days works well for me. Change sooner if the water looks cloudy.
Do I need fertilizer for money plant in water?
A few drops of diluted liquid fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks helps once roots form. Plain water is fine during the initial rooting stage.
Why are my money plant leaves turning yellow in water?
Usually low light, old water, or a submerged leaf that started rotting. Fresh water, better light, and removing any damaged leaves fixes it fast.
Final Thoughts from My Windowsill
Growing money plant in water has become one of those quiet habits I actually look forward to. The process stays simple. The results look good. And the whole thing feels almost foolproof once you nail the node and the weekly water change.
Start with one cutting this week. Watch the roots appear. Then decide if you want more. I ended up with three jars because the first success felt too satisfying to stop.
Your space will look greener. Your shelves will stay cleaner. And you’ll have a living reminder that some plants really do thrive when you keep things straightforward.
Go grab those scissors. Your first jar is waiting.