The term “Money Plant” commonly refers to two distinct houseplants: the vining Epipremnum aureum (Pothos) and the upright Pilea peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant). Both species are highly popular due to their relative ease of propagation, offering a simple way to expand a personal collection or share new growth. Successfully multiplying these plants relies on understanding their specific growth habits and applying precise techniques to encourage new root development. This guide provides practical steps for propagating both types from established specimens.
Preparation and Essential Supplies
Before beginning propagation, gather and prepare your materials to ensure a smooth and sanitary procedure. Use a sharp cutting instrument, such as scissors, shears, or a clean knife, sterilized with rubbing alcohol to prevent the transfer of pathogens that could cause rot.
You will also need a rooting medium, which can be a glass jar filled with clean water or a small pot containing a light, well-draining substrate. A mix of potting soil blended with perlite or coco coir provides ideal aeration for new roots. While optional, commercial rooting hormone powder contains auxins that stimulate faster root formation.
Propagating via Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings are the primary method for the vining Epipremnum aureum and can also be used for Pilea peperomioides when removing the top of a leggy plant. New roots develop from specialized tissue found at the stem’s nodes, the swollen joints where leaves emerge. Select a healthy vine section with at least two to three nodes and make a clean, angled cut about a half-inch below a node.
After taking the cutting, remove any leaves that would be submerged in water or buried in soil to prevent decay. If rooting in water, ensure the nodes remain completely under the waterline, as this is where the roots will emerge. Alternatively, plant the cutting directly into a small pot of moist, airy soil mix, ensuring at least one node is fully buried. Place the cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light to maximize root development.
Propagating via Offsets or Pups
The division of offsets, often called pups, is the most common method for multiplying the Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides). These small plantlets emerge from the root system or directly from the main stem of the mother plant. An offset is ready for removal once it has developed a few leaves and reached a height of at least two inches, indicating sufficient maturity for independent growth.
To separate the pup, gently remove surrounding soil to expose the thin rhizome or stem connecting it to the parent plant. Use a sterile, sharp tool to make a clean cut, aiming to retain as many of the pup’s own small roots as possible. The separated offset can then be immediately potted into a small container with a fresh, well-draining potting mix. If the pup has no visible roots, place it in water until a small root system develops before potting into soil.
Transplanting and Establishing New Growth
Once the propagated material has developed a robust root system, it must be transitioned into a permanent home. Cuttings rooted in water are ready to transition when the roots are about one to two inches long. Planting too early or too late can lead to transplant shock, as the water-adapted roots struggle to function in a denser medium.
Choose a small pot with excellent drainage; a container that is too large holds excess moisture and increases the risk of root rot. Use an airy potting mix, such as one amended with perlite, to provide the high oxygen levels new roots require. After gently planting the new growth, thoroughly saturate the soil to settle it around the roots. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks to ease the transition from water to soil. Placing the newly potted plant in a location with high humidity and shielding it from harsh, direct sunlight will mitigate environmental stress.