The money plant-benefits of a home refreshing indoor plant

We often make our home a greening beauty with indoor plants like the money plant, spider lily, peace lily and, snake plant. But do we know that have a lot of other benefits to freshen the air and create happiness? Yes, Epipremnum aureum or Scindapsus aureus is the scientific name of the money plant. To make you feel familiar, the other common names of money pant are ‘devil’s ivy,’ ‘silver vine,’ ‘Solomon Islands ivy’ and ‘pothos.’ You may wonder why it is commonly called money plant in the South East Asian region. It is because the heart-shaped plump green leaves resemble coins. Besides, in Olden mythology money is believed to bring shower wealth and fortune. No wonder, it is also known as the “Good Luck Tree”

How does the money plant purify the air?

Our goal today, however, is to focus on the goodness of money plant and why it adds value to a healthy lifestyle. Most plants take in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at daytime (a process called photosynthesis) and take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide at night (respiration). Unlike, other plants the money plant continues to release oxygen at night. Additionally, it can absorb other volatile organic compounds (VOC) or gases such as benzene, ethylene, formaldehyde, etc. In fact, these gases are emitted from home appliances and furnishings in our homes. So, they are a constant pollutant of our breathing environment . The VOC is taken down from the leaves to the root system. The microorganisms in the soil break up these compounds. The air in the room with the money plant, therefore, has more oxygen and refreshed air.

The growth requirement of the money plant

Money plants grow both in water and soil substratum. In water, it does not require any nutrients. Roots begin to appear within 24 hours of planting the leaves with nodes or branches in the water.  Branches of plant shoot come off within a few days. However, the plants appear dark green in sandy or loamy soil. It prefers good drainage conditions. Also called, ‘silver vine’ it is a climber by nature.  Besides, it loves bright but indirect light and, actually grows best in shade. Money plant is adapted to moderate to high humid conditions. The tolerance to temperature is in the range of 17 -30º Celsius. Furthermore, your indoor money plants will require water only 2 to 3x a month. Frequent watering will, however, help give off healthy trailing branches. These branches can be re planted in new pots.

Benefits of money plant to humans

1. Money plants increase the oxygen level of the air and help in easy breathing.
2. Feng Shui experts believe that it energizes and reduces stress in human beings.
3. Money plants take up VOC agents like formaldehyde and even potential carcinogenic gases like benzene, toluene, and xylene of the air around.
4. A green planter in your bedroom will give you a feeling of freshness.
5. As it can grow in various grades of light, the money plant can be easily grown by home gardeners.
6. Finally, only one plant per 100 square feet of floor space is enough to purify the air.  
7. Money plant is supposed to increase wealth when kept indoors.