September 9, 2004

They say that if your money plant grows well, your income will increase. Zahrah Nasir gives some tips on growing these plants

Amongst the easiest of house plants to care for is the old favourite, Pothos aurea known to one and all as the ‘money plant’.

There is an interesting belief attached to this attractive climber, but, personally speaking, it is a belief which I strongly dispute. The saying is that the better your money plant grows so does your income. This is enough to have people — especially these days — rushing to lavish tons of love and affection on their money plants. I’ve had money plants growing like crazy, seemingly wanting to take over the entire house and it hasn’t made the slightest difference to my bank balance, sad to say.

Whether or not they bring in money, no home, especially in Karachi, should be without a plant or two. They are a great houseplant for beginners to start out with. Money plants, with shiny green leaves patterned by yellow to cream markings, will grow either in a glass container of water or in pots of good, rich compost. They enjoy a moist, warm atmosphere, either indoors or outdoors but do best in shady conditions away from direct sunlight.

If they are grown in bright light conditions then the leaves tend to be a wishy-washy, rather pale green and do not look nice at all. Shade is the watch word: in a sunless veranda, an interior passageway or climbing up onto a heavy canopy of sheltering trees.

Money plants are classed as being ‘epiphytes’. Sounds painful doesn’t it? But, actually the term describes its preferred method of growing, which is by naturally climbing up tree trunks or moss-covered supports to which it attaches itself by tenacious rootlets holding it in place as it grows. Many people leave their money plants to trail down over their containers, particularly if growing them in water-filled bottles. But money plants prefer to climb and can climb to incredible heights if growing conditions permit. I’m told, though I haven’t seen it for myself, that in Bangladesh, they climb for hundreds of feet up in the forests and that their leaves can reach a staggering three to four feet across. I figure this has to be seen to be believed but that is how it grows.

Most nurseries, like the one in the photograph, have a good stock of money plants, growing in pots complete with moss-covered sticks to climb up. They look very attractive and certainly tempt one to make a purchase or two until you politely ask the price. Small plants range from an astonishing Rs250 and large ones, well, depending on the size, the sky is the limit. Yes, someone does make cash out of money plants after all. Perhaps this is where the saying comes from.

However, do not despair. All you need to find is a friend or acquaintance with a reasonably-sized money plant who will allow you to take a cutting. Cuttings can be taken at absolutely any time of the year in Karachi but I would suggest sticking to between April and August elsewhere.

Select a reasonably strong side shoot, three to four inches long is ideal although six inches will work, cut it cleanly off with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut yourself in the process, and then either stick it into a bottle of water and keep it there, topping the water up as required, or dip the base in ‘rooting powder’ and plant it in a pot of good compost. Whichever method you select your plant should be off and away in no time at all. Newly taken cuttings may shed a few of their leaves but don’t worry, this doesn’t affect the long-term health of your plant.

When grown in water, the water should be in unboiled, plain tap water, not mineral water, as they do require nutrients to grow and feed on. Topping up their containers as necessary is the ideal time to add a few drops of liquid plant food, preferably of an organic nature. They particularly enjoy the treat of ‘liquid seaweed extract’ every three or four months.

Plants grown in compost should never be allowed to dry out and should also be kept reasonably well- watered. The same applies to those growing direct in the ground out in the garden.

Leaf care is another important factor in keeping your money plants happy and healthy. The all pervading dust of the city, lethal stuff when combined with atmospheric pollution, must be kept at bay.

If your plants are growing outside, or in pots which can be taken outside once in a while, then simply spray them with clean water. And clean off the dust and grime but only do this in a shady place, out of sunlight and away from the wind as this can cause serious damage if you are not careful.

Cleaning the leaves of indoor plants is a longer but still simple process. All you need is a bowl or bucket of lukewarm water, depending on the size of your plant, and a sponge or soft cloth. Then, carefully wipe down each leaf from the top to bottom of your plant. This can be time-consuming but it is worth the effort.

Some people like to polish the leaves of shiny indoor plants with a bottled brand of ‘leaf shine’ or ‘leaf wipes’. This is fine but on the expensive side. A much cheaper method is to polish them with a soft cloth dipped in milk. Not gallons of the stuff, just a few drops. You’ll be amazed at how much they love it.

Due to popular demand I will be writing more on the care of house plants over the next few weeks/ months, and I thought that the easy-to-grow money plant would act as a good introduction for those of you wanting to decorate your home or office with plants suitable for ‘greening-up” your personal environment. I hope you take up the opportunity to do this as living with the companionship of plants is more relaxing than living without them. I’d put money on this any time.

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