The term “Money Plant” is used across the globe to describe a popular houseplant believed to attract fortune and wealth. Searching for this plant in the United States often results in confusion, as the common name is applied to several different species. This ambiguity arises because the plant’s designation is based on distinct physical features that resemble currency, ranging from leaf shape to seed pod structure.
Disambiguation: Why “Money Plant” Means Different Things in the USA
The search for a single “Money Plant” in the US is complicated because the name serves as a category for three botanically unrelated species. These plants are grouped together solely due to their leaves or seed pods bearing a resemblance to coins or dollars. The first candidate is Pothos, a common, fast-growing indoor vine and the most widespread houseplant given this moniker in the US. A second indoor option is the Pilea, distinguished by its perfectly round, coin-shaped foliage. Finally, the name also refers to a biennial garden plant, valued for its striking, translucent seed pods.
The Most Common Indoor Candidate: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The plant most frequently encountered as a “Money Plant” in American nurseries is the Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). This species is also widely recognized by the common names Devil’s Ivy or Hunter’s Robe due to its hardiness and ability to thrive in low-light conditions. Its growth habit is a trailing vine, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or allowing it to climb with support.
The leaves are typically heart-shaped and glossy, often displaying striking variegation of yellow or gold against a green background. This variegation can appear as coin-like spots, contributing to the plant’s association with money. While it is an exceptionally forgiving houseplant, all parts of Epipremnum aureum are poisonous if ingested, causing mouth and stomach irritation.
Pothos is native to Mo’orea in the Society Islands but has naturalized across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In ideal conditions, the leaves can grow significantly larger and develop deep lobes, though indoor specimens typically maintain a smaller, more juvenile leaf size of about four inches. Different cultivars offer a range of colors, including the bright chartreuse of ‘Neon’ and the heavily marbled white and green of ‘Marble Queen’. The plant’s overall impression of abundant, fast growth is likely the strongest reason for its connection to prosperity.
Secondary US “Money Plants”: Pilea and Lunaria
A second indoor species is Pilea peperomioides, known in the US as the Chinese Money Plant, Pancake Plant, or UFO Plant. Its common name is apparent in its foliage, which consists of perfectly circular, bright green leaves. These leaves are described as peltate, meaning the stem attaches directly to the center of the leaf blade, giving the appearance of a floating coin.
The Pilea is native to the cool, shady mountains of the Yunnan Province in Southern China, but it has become a modern favorite due to its unique appearance and relatively simple care. Unlike the trailing Pothos, the Pilea grows upright with a clumping habit, reaching heights of 8 to 12 inches indoors. Its propensity to produce small offsets, or “pups,” that can be easily shared also earned it the nickname Friendship Plant.
The third plant to carry the name is Lunaria annua, an entirely different species that is typically an annual or biennial garden plant, not a houseplant. Its common names, including Silver Dollar Plant and Honesty, derive from its unique fruit structure. After the plant produces purple or white flowers, it develops large, flat, round seed pods called silicles. These pods dry out to become translucent, paper-thin discs that strongly resemble antique silver dollar coins. The striking appearance of these seed pods is why the plant is often harvested and used in dried floral arrangements.
Caring for the Indoor Money Plants and Their Cultural Significance
Caring for the two most common indoor varieties, Pothos and Pilea, involves shared basic principles of tropical plant maintenance. Both species thrive when placed in locations that receive bright, indirect light, although Pothos is more tolerant of lower light conditions than Pilea. Soil should be well-draining, and watering should occur only after the top inch or two of the soil has completely dried out. Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot.
The link between these plants and prosperity is rooted in the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui, which seeks to harmonize individuals with their environment. The round shape of the leaves on the Pilea and the juvenile Pothos is directly associated with the shape of coins, symbolizing wealth and abundance. Placing these plants in the southeast corner of a home or office, known as the wealth sector, is believed to activate this energy and attract financial opportunities. The vigorous, fast-growing nature of the Pothos vine further reinforces this symbolism.