Money plant: care so that it does not die

In Southeast Africa, tradition relates the plant called Plectranthus with good fortune and money. That is why in many places it is known as the “money plant” or “plant of millionaires”. It is also known as “Swedish ivy” although it is not an ivy and it is not a climber either.

In some places it is customary to give this plant with a coin buried in the pot to people who move to a new home. Many people buy it with great enthusiasm, because it is a beautiful plant and it can also take away your debts, but it is not uncommon for it to die if it is not cared for properly.

How is the Plectranthus or money plant?

Actually, the Plectranthus It is not a single plant, but a species of the Lamiaceae family with a good number of varieties.

It is a plant with smooth or distinctly succulent leaves, often glossy, jagged-edged, light to dark green above, sometimes deep purple below, and covered with short, downy hair.

The flowers are white to pale mauve with some spots on the upper lip or dotted with purple spots. They appear sporadically throughout the year, but more abundantly in spring and late autumn.

Varieties of the money plant

Plectranthus verticillatus. It can reach 30 cm in height and 60 cm in length. The leaves are 6-9 cm long, the underside is purple and hairy, and the upper surface is bright green.Plectranthus coleoides. It has light green leaves and the entire periphery of these usually has a whitish color (in the photo). Gives off smell of incense.Plectranthus argentatus. This variety has silver leaves and they are larger than other varieties. It is a beautiful and very elegant plant thanks to its foliage.Plectranthus coleoides marginata. It has quite large leaves and the green color is clearly observed with areas of cream or yellow color.Plectranthus fructicosus. It has quite dark green leaves and they are large.mentholated prectrant either Plectranthus nicoline. It is one of the smallest and the leaves smell like mint. The foliage is grayish in color.

Money plant: care Plectranthus

The species of Plectranthus they are easily grown and require little extra attention or special treatment.

What is the proper lighting?

They enjoy well-composted soil and generally thrive in semi-shade positions, with indirect light, facing south or east. They do not like direct sunlight.

Money Plant Watering

They generally have shallow roots and enjoy a moderate watering. It is not convenient to give it away in excess because it stores water in its stems and they are resistant to prolonged periods of drought.

When the color of the leaf changes from green to yellow or appear small black spots it is that we are most likely watering it excessively.

During the hottest time of the year it will have to be watered three times per week and throughout the winter a small watering every five or seven days will suffice.

Money Plant Fertilization

Liquid compost can be added to the water for three weeks in spring.

In winter it can be added once a month.

Is the money plant indoor or outdoor?

It can live both outdoors and indoors. If it is kept outside, it is necessary to protect it from frost in winter. If it is kept below 10ºC it can die.

If they are placed indoors, it must be fresh. A temperature of 20-22 ºC in summer and 15-19 in winter is ideal.

Can be placed in hanging baskets or in ordinary pots, taking into account that its branches will end up dragging on the ground. The railing of the balconies and the walls of the terraces are usually very suitable spaces for these plants;

How to propagate the money plant?

It is very easy to reproduce by cutting during the first or early part of summer.

cuttings must have at least two knots and the leaves are removed from the lower part. No need to apply rooting hormone.