Money plants aren’t demanding about soil, but they are specific about drainage — which is covered in the care guide alongside the other factors that affect money plant health.
What Money Plant Roots Actually Need From Soil
Epipremnum aureum evolved as a climbing epiphyte and forest floor plant in loose, fast-draining substrate. Its roots are adapted to cycles of moisture and air — damp briefly, then dry, then damp again. Standard potting soil that stays consistently damp doesn’t match what the roots expect, and problems follow from there.
The three non-negotiables for money plant soil: drainage, drainage, and drainage. Everything else is secondary.
Drainage and Aeration
Drainage means water flows through the soil and out the drainage holes within a few seconds of watering. It does not mean the soil stays bone dry — it means the soil doesn’t hold water like a sponge. When you water and see it immediately flow out the bottom, that’s correct drainage.
Aeration means there are air pockets in the soil that allow oxygen to reach the roots. Compacted soil loses its air pockets over time and becomes dense. Roots in compacted soil are oxygen-deprived even if the soil isn’t waterlogged, and they function poorly.
The Right Soil Mix
A standard commercial potting mix works for money plants if it drains well. Test it: water thoroughly in the pot and time how long it takes to drain from the bottom. If water flows freely within 10 seconds, the drainage is adequate. If it pools on the surface or takes more than a minute to drain, add perlite.
The reliable money plant mix: 70% standard potting soil + 30% perlite. The watering guide has the complete breakdown on why drainage matters for this plant.
For a faster-draining option — useful in humid environments or if you’ve had root rot issues: 60% potting soil + 40% perlite. This dries out more quickly, which means you may need to water more often, but the reduced rot risk is worth it for many growers.
Perlite: Why It Matters
Perlite is the white specks in most quality potting mixes. It’s expanded volcanic glass that creates air pockets and prevents soil compaction. Without it, even a good-draining mix eventually settles and loses its drainage performance. Adding perlite at 30% at planting time extends the useful life of the soil mix significantly.
The tradeoff: perlite-heavy mixes dry out faster. In hot, dry conditions, this means more frequent watering. In cold or dim conditions, the faster drying time is an advantage. Adjust the mix for your environment — more perlite in humid climates, less in dry ones.
When to Repot
Money plants grow fast and can become root-bound within a year in a small pot. Signs it’s time to repot: roots visibly escaping the drainage holes, water running straight through without retention, growth slowing despite good care in other respects, or the plant becoming top-heavy and tipping.
The best time to repot is spring or early summer when growth is active. Use a pot only one size larger than the current pot — going from a 4-inch to a 10-inch pot in one step creates too much excess soil that holds moisture beyond what the reduced root system can draw up.
Soil to Avoid
Garden soil: too heavy, retains too much moisture, and almost always contains soil-borne pests or fungi that money plants are susceptible to. Never use garden soil for indoor money plants.
Moisture-retentive specialty mixes marketed for tropical plants: these are designed for plants that want consistently damp soil and are too wet for money plants. If you’re using a tropical plant mix, add at least 30% perlite.
Straight sand or gravel: these drain fast but offer no nutrient retention and no water-holding capacity. Money plants need something that holds some moisture between waterings, not just pure drainage material.
