SA Garden Catalogue: Money Plant

The money plant is a herbaceous vine with leaves variegated green and yellow or white, climbing by aerial adhesive roots. The size of this plant varies according to the conditions it grows in. If placed indoors in a small container with water, it is a small plant. But it will metamorphose into a big vine when allowed to climb a wall or a tree. In fact the leaves may be large and incised, the bigger the vine grows. This 'versatile' plant is also a creeper if planted as ground cover.

Scientific name: Epipremnum aureum (Syn: Scindapsus aureus)
Common name: Money plant
Family: Araceae
Origin: Solomon Islands?

I cannot really remember when and where I got my money plants from, but I have always had them in vases of water in the house. They are said to be efficient at removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene.  In the garden they creep on the ground as well as climb the partition wall. I have to constantly 'prune' them back because of the plant's very invasive nature.

The money plant is so easy to grow, requires very little care, and grows well in shade or partial sun. Propagation is by cuttings. (Note that it is supposed to be toxic and not to be consumed by children or pets.)

This month of September has been quite wet, and the inter-monsoon rains rather heavy.