How to make your money plant grow faster: 7 expert tips for healthier vines

The money plant is regarded as one of the easiest plants to maintain in a home environment. It can be hung in a basket or on a moss pole, or kept in a bottle in the windowsill to add a fresh touch in a short while. However, a common problem shared by many people who have grown plants is the ability of the money plant to survive yet not grow at all.

In reality, the money plant (pothos/ Epipremnum aureum) is a vigorous grower. Horticulturalists describe it as an evergreen climber capable of growing large vines and leaves under the right conditions. Studies done regarding potting of pothos have found that soil and roots play important roles in plant growth. If your money plant seems stuck in place, these seven expert-backed tips can help encourage faster growth and healthier vines.

(Photos from Shutterstock)

Of all the factors, sunlight is the most crucial when it comes to the growth rate of a money plant. People tend to assume that money plants can live in dark areas since they are quite tolerant to low light. While this is true, being tolerant and growing well are entirely different concepts. Under low light, the plant tends to grow small leaves along with larger spacing between the leaves. Ensure your plant receives bright, indirect sunlight. You can achieve this by placing the plant in an east-facing window. Too much direct sunlight from the afternoon might burn the leaves, but filtered sunlight makes the plant grow vigorously and with better foliage colouration.

Plants suffer more from over-watering than under-watering. Rather than following a watering schedule, it is better to water according to the condition of the soil. Make sure the soil is dried out at the top before you re-water it. Wet soil continuously can cause root damage and impede plant growth. As reported by Better Homes & Gardens, pothos plants grow more quickly when watering is done according to the soil's moisture condition. Healthy roots will absorb all the necessary nutrients, which results in quick vine growth. If your plant starts yellowing or your soil smells of mold, chances are that you have been over-watering.

Just like all living things, plants need nutrients for proper development. Although pothos is capable of growing in soil that lacks nutrients, giving them some nutrients through feeding can greatly boost their growth process. From spring through summer, feed your plants using a general-purpose liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks. Do not fall into the trap of overfeeding your plant with fertilizer. Too much fertilizer will burn the roots of your plant and cause problems with the leaves.

The problem may not be with the visible parts of the plant but with what is beneath the surface. This means that you may have an issue when the roots have begun to encircle the pot, emerge from the bottom drain holes or have taken up much of the pot. The plant will find it difficult to grow because it will lack sufficient nutrients due to limited room for root expansion. It is recommended that you use a pot only slightly bigger than the old one. Make sure the new pot has good drainage and fill it with a potting mix.

Pothos is naturally a climber and grows on the trees. Its leaves will grow big and more developed when it continues growing vertically. Using a moss pole, coir pole, or another climber will make it grow larger. Experts in a report by The Spruce suggest that a support for pothos makes it grow bigger than the trailing plants. Growing vertically means the pothos directs more energy toward vertical growth and leaf production.

If you have been cultivating your money plant in a trailing manner, try adding support and see the results for yourself.

These plants come from tropical zones and therefore thrive under warm conditions and moderate humidity. Even though pothos tolerates regular room temperature, it usually grows more rapidly in comfortably warm temperatures with moderate humidity. Sudden changes of temperature, dry air, and cold drafts can cause stress for the plant. Most experts advise not to place the pothos near any air conditioning unit, heaters, or even windows that are being opened frequently during the winter season.

It seems illogical to prune your plant to help it grow fast, but intelligent pruning will do the exact opposite. A study by The Spruce suggests that removing the long stems allows the plant to produce additional growth points. This makes the plant grow into a more compact one than having a few thin and long vines. The best thing about pruning? Your cuttings can be planted back into the soil in the same pot, making your plant look fuller and healthier. The experts advise pruning only when the plant is actively growing.