Why Money Plant Benefits Make It One of the Best Indoor Plants You Can Own
money plant benefits range from cleaner indoor air to reduced stress — and they’re backed by real science.
Here’s a quick look at what a money plant can do for your home or office:
| Benefit | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Air purification | Removes formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene from indoor air |
| Oxygen production | Releases oxygen at night, unlike most houseplants |
| Stress relief | Just 5 minutes near one can lower anxiety and blood pressure |
| Humidity boost | Releases moisture through transpiration, easing dry air problems |
| Aquarium health | Roots absorb nitrates when grown in water |
| Low maintenance | Thrives in low light with minimal watering |
| Feng Shui & Vastu | Placed in the southeast corner to attract wealth and positive energy |
| Mood and focus | Studies link indoor plants to better concentration and productivity |
| Natural décor | Trails beautifully from shelves, bottles, or hanging pots |
| Beginner-friendly | Grows in soil, water, or aquariums with no fuss |
| Gifting tradition | Symbolizes prosperity, good luck, and care across many cultures |
| Pet precaution | Mildly toxic to pets — easy to manage with smart placement |
If you live or work in a space with stagnant air, allergens, or low energy, a money plant is one of the simplest upgrades you can make.
It goes by several names — Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Epipremnum aureum, or Scindapsus aureus — and a separate variety called Pachira aquatica is known as the Money Tree. Both are widely loved for good reason.
The NASA Clean Air Study (1989) confirmed that Epipremnum aureum removes harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air. And research on stress shows that even brief interaction with plants promotes calm — measurably, through blood pressure and brainwave monitoring.
Below, we break down all 12 benefits in detail.
Scientific and Health-Boosting Money Plant Benefits
When we talk about money plant benefits, we aren’t just talking about folklore or home décor trends. There is a significant body of scientific evidence suggesting that these plants act as living, breathing air filters. Most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, where the air can actually be more polluted than the air outside due to synthetic materials in our furniture, carpets, and cleaning supplies.
The famous NASA Clean Air Study in 1989 was one of the first major pieces of Scientific research on air purification to identify Epipremnum aureum as a powerhouse for removing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These toxins, like formaldehyde and benzene, are common in modern office environments and homes. Money plants don’t just sit there looking pretty; they actively pull these chemicals out of the air and process them through their leaves and root-associated microbes.
Natural Air Purification and Oxygen Production
One of the most impressive money plant benefits is its ability to target specific, nasty pollutants. Research shows that money plants successfully eliminate:
- Formaldehyde: Found in glues, pressed wood furniture, and some detergents.
- Benzene: Often present in paints, varnishes, and rubber.
- Xylene and Toluene: Commonly found in printing inks and adhesives.
Beyond just filtering out the bad stuff, money plants are unique because they can increase oxygen levels in a way many other plants don’t. While most plants stop producing oxygen at night when photosynthesis ceases, some research suggests money plants can continue to contribute to a fresher atmosphere around the clock. This makes them excellent budget-friendly-air-purifying-plants for rooms where you spend a lot of time, like a home office or living room.
If you are looking for plants-that-filter-toxins-from-the-air, the money plant is a top-tier candidate. It also helps regulate indoor humidity through a process called transpiration. By releasing moisture into the air, it can help alleviate dry skin, scratchy throats, and even help those suffering from asthma by keeping the respiratory tract more hydrated.
Mental Well-being and Stress Reduction
We’ve all felt that sense of “ahhh” when walking into a lush, green space. But did you know that feeling is backed by data? One of the most significant money plant benefits is its impact on our mental health.
A fascinating study found that simply viewing a money plant for just 5 minutes can encourage psychological and physiological relaxation. In older adults, this brief interaction led to lower anxiety scores, which were confirmed through blood pressure and brainwave monitoring. Interaction with these plants has also been shown to reduce stress compared to performing mental work alone, promoting a more comfortable and soothing environment.
By lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone), these plants help us stay calm during a hectic workday. Incorporating mental-wellness-benefits-of-indoor-plants into your workspace can lead to better focus and fewer “brain fog” moments. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking at your trailing Pothos for a few minutes might be just as effective as a quick meditation session. For anyone struggling with the pressures of modern life, indoor-plants-for-mental-wellness are a low-cost, high-reward investment in your sanity.
Cultural Significance: Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra
While the science is compelling, many people are drawn to money plant benefits because of their deep roots in ancient traditions like Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra. In these practices, the money plant is seen as more than just a biological filter—it is a “green alchemist” that can transform the energy (or Chi) of a room.
The core idea is that the plant’s vigorous growth and lush, green foliage symbolize abundance. In Feng Shui, the way a plant grows reflects the way your finances or personal growth might flourish. The braided trunk often seen in Pachira aquatica (the Money Tree) is said to “trap” fortune within its folds, ensuring that wealth doesn’t just pass through your life but stays and grows.
Attracting Wealth and Prosperity with Money Plant Benefits
The primary reason for the name “money plant” is the shape of its leaves. In many varieties, the leaves are round, flat, and heart-shaped, which traditional practitioners believe resemble coins. This visual connection to currency makes it a powerful symbol of financial growth.
In Feng Shui, the money plant is often associated with the “Five Elements”:
- Wood: Represented by the plant itself.
- Water: Necessary for its growth.
- Earth: The soil it lives in.
- Fire: The sunlight it absorbs.
- Metal: Often represented by placing a coin in the pot or using a metallic planter.
By balancing these elements, the plant helps create a harmonious environment that is conducive to prosperity. Because they are so resilient, they are considered low-maintenance-air-purifying-plants that keep the “wealth energy” flowing even if you don’t have a perfect green thumb.
Placement Tips for Maximum Energy Flow
To truly maximize money plant benefits according to Vastu and Feng Shui, placement is everything. Here are the golden rules:
- The Southeast Corner: This is known as the “Wealth Corner” or Bagua area for money. Placing your plant here is believed to activate financial luck.
- The Entrance: Keeping a jade plant or money tree near the front door is said to invite good fortune into the home.
- Avoid the Northeast: According to Vastu Shastra, placing a money plant in the northeast direction can lead to financial loss or tension in the home.
- Sharp Corners: Plants with trailing vines are perfect for softening “poison arrows” or sharp corners in a room, which are thought to disrupt the flow of positive energy.
- Near Electronics: Many believe that money plants act as “anti-radiators.” Placing them near Wi-Fi routers, computers, or televisions is a popular practice to help absorb or mitigate electromagnetic radiation.
Using easy-care-plants-for-home-air-quality like the money plant allows you to improve your environment’s energy without adding the stress of a difficult maintenance routine.
Versatility and Low-Maintenance Care for Beginners
One of our favorite money plant benefits is just how hard it is to kill one. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or someone who once accidentally withered a plastic cactus, the money plant is for you. It is incredibly adaptable to different lighting conditions and can even thrive in spaces with no natural sunlight, as long as there is decent overhead office lighting.
| Feature | Golden Pothos (E. aureum) | Money Tree (P. aquatica) |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Habit | Trailing/Climbing Vine | Upright Tree (often braided) |
| Light Needs | Low to Bright Indirect | Bright Indirect |
| Watering | When top inch of soil is dry | When soil is mostly dry |
| Best For | Shelves, hanging baskets | Floor pots, desks |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets if ingested | Non-toxic to pets |
Growing in Water, Soil, and Aquariums
Another unique aspect of money plant benefits is the plant’s ability to grow in multiple mediums. You aren’t restricted to just a standard pot of dirt!
- Soil: The traditional method. Use a well-draining potting mix.
- Water: You can grow money plants indefinitely in glass bottles or vases filled with water. This is a great way to see the roots grow and adds a clean, minimalist look to your décor. Just remember to change the water every week or two to keep it fresh.
- Aquariums: This is a pro-tip for fish lovers! You can place the roots of a money plant into your aquarium while keeping the leaves above the water line. The plant will act as a natural filter, absorbing excess nitrates from the water. This helps keep the water cleaner for your fish and reduces algae growth.
If you’re interested in a “set it and forget it” style of gardening, you can turn-your-houseplants-into-air-purifiers-a-diy-guide by using these different growing methods to fit your lifestyle.
Essential Care and Safety Precautions
While they are low-maintenance, a little love goes a long way. To keep your plant happy:
- Watering: In the summer, water every 7-10 days. In the winter, they can go 2-3 weeks without a drink. Overwatering is the most common cause of “plant murder,” so always check the soil first.
- Light: They love indirect sunlight. Direct afternoon sun can actually scorch their beautiful leaves.
- Maintenance: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth occasionally. Dust can block the pores (stomata) and reduce the plant’s air-purifying efficiency.
A Note on Safety: It is important to mention that while the Pachira aquatica (Money Tree) is generally pet-safe, the Epipremnum aureum (Pothos) contains calcium oxalate crystals. If a cat or dog chews on it, it can cause mouth irritation and swelling. Because of this, it’s best to use the money plant’s trailing nature to your advantage and hang it high out of reach. This makes it one of the top-air-purifying-plants-for-bedrooms where you might want to keep it on a high dresser or shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions about Money Plants
What is the difference between a Money Plant and a Money Tree?
The term “Money Plant” usually refers to the Epipremnum aureum (also known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy), which is a trailing vine. The “Money Tree” usually refers to Pachira aquatica, which has a woody, often braided trunk and upright growth. Both are considered lucky and offer air-purifying benefits, but they look very different!
Can money plants really survive in just water?
Yes! They are extremely hardy. When growing in water, they may grow a bit slower than they would in soil because they have fewer nutrients, but they can live for years in a simple vase. We recommend adding a drop of liquid fertilizer every few months to give them a boost.
Is the money plant toxic to cats and dogs?
The common money plant (Pothos) is mildly toxic to pets because it contains insoluble calcium oxalates. If eaten, it can cause drooling, vomiting, and oral irritation. However, the Pachira aquatica (Money Tree) is non-toxic. If you have curious pets, go for the Money Tree or hang your Pothos high up in a basket!
Conclusion
At Mount Pilchuck, we believe that bringing nature indoors is one of the most effective ways to boost your health and happiness. The money plant benefits we’ve explored — from the NASA-backed air purification to the stress-reducing power of greenery — make it a must-have for any modern home or office.
Whether you’re looking to attract a little extra prosperity through Feng Shui or you just want a plant that won’t die if you forget to water it for a week, the money plant is your best friend. It’s affordable, beautiful, and works hard to keep your air clean and your mind calm.
Ready to start your indoor jungle? Discover more about indoor plant care and find the perfect green companion for your space today!
