The money plant, commonly identified as Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), is a popular trailing vine cherished for its heart-shaped foliage and its reputation for attracting prosperity. Determining the optimal location requires balancing its biological needs, ensuring household safety, and honoring the cultural beliefs associated with its placement. The ideal spot allows the plant to thrive physically and symbolically.
Essential Biological Needs Guiding Placement
The physical placement of the money plant must first satisfy its fundamental needs as a tropical species, particularly concerning light exposure. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light, mimicking its natural environment beneath a forest canopy. Placing the plant a few feet away from a south-facing window, or directly beside an east or west-facing window, provides balanced illumination without the harshness of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Light conditions directly influence the plant’s appearance, especially in variegated cultivars. In lower light settings, the yellow or white patterning tends to fade, resulting in a greener plant as it increases chlorophyll production. While the plant can tolerate low light, growth will be significantly slower, making a brighter spot necessary for maintaining the vibrant coloration that many owners seek.
Temperature and humidity are also important factors guiding placement within a room. The money plant prefers a consistent temperature range, ideally between 60°F and 85°F (15°C to 29°C). Locations near exterior doors, air conditioning vents, or heating elements should be avoided, as sudden cold or hot drafts cause stress and leaf damage.
A higher level of ambient humidity is beneficial for this tropical vine, making a bright bathroom or a sunny kitchen an excellent location choice. The plant requires well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Placement should allow easy access to water the plant thoroughly and permit excess water to drain away without damaging surrounding furniture or flooring.
Placement Considerations for Household Safety
A primary concern when placing the money plant indoors is its inherent toxicity, which necessitates positioning it well out of the reach of vulnerable household members. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals present in all parts of the foliage and stems. If ingested by pets, particularly cats and dogs, or by small children, these crystals embed themselves in the soft tissues of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract.
Ingestion causes immediate oral pain, irritation, swelling of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, and vomiting. While the toxicity is considered moderate and rarely fatal, the reaction is highly distressing. To mitigate this risk, placing the plant on high, inaccessible shelves or mounting it in hanging baskets secured to the ceiling is recommended.
Beyond toxicity, practical safety involves managing the plant’s vining habit to prevent physical hazards. As Epipremnum aureum is a prolific grower, its trailing stems can quickly become a tripping hazard if allowed to sprawl across floors or low surfaces in high-traffic areas. Training the vines to climb upwards on a moss pole or trellis, or allowing them to cascade vertically from a secure height, eliminates this risk. Avoiding placement in narrow hallways or near busy doorways ensures the plant is not easily knocked over.
Symbolic Placement According to Vastu and Feng Shui
For many, the placement of the money plant is guided by cultural traditions meant to align the home with positive energy flow and prosperity. In Vastu Shastra, the southeast direction is considered the most auspicious location for the money plant within a home. This corner is governed by the planet Venus and is associated with Lord Ganesha, symbolizing financial growth and stability.
Conversely, Vastu principles strongly advise against placing the money plant in the northeast corner of the home. This direction is believed to attract negative energy and may lead to financial instability and health issues for the residents. Furthermore, a common Vastu tip is to ensure that the vines of the plant do not touch the ground, as this is thought to symbolize a halt in growth and prosperity.
Feng Shui emphasizes the placement of the money plant to activate certain energetic areas of the house. The southeast corner of a room or the entire home is designated as the “Wealth Corner” (Xun position) on the Bagua map. Placing the plant here is intended to enhance financial abundance and attract positive chi.
The plant’s inherent symbolism of growth, associated with the Wood element in Feng Shui, makes it a suitable addition to an office or workspace. Placing the plant on a desk or near electronic devices is a common practice, believed to symbolize the continuous growth of income and career success. However, traditional beliefs often caution against placing the money plant in the main entrance area or outside the home, as this may allow wealth to flow out of the residence.