Scindapsus aureus is the scientific name of the money plant.Epipremnum aureum is also used as scientific name of the money plant by many and considered synonym of Scindapsus aureus. Besides money plant, other names used commonly for this plant are Pothos, Silver Vine, Devil's Ivy and Solomon Island's Ivy. This plant is native to Southeastern Asia and New Guinea. Crassula ovatais also known as jade plant, friendship tree, lucky plant or Money Plant sometimes referred to as the money tree. Pachira aquatica is also referred as money tree. Hence, confusion exists in the nomenclature. In Asia, Scindapsus aureus is grown as money plant in houses.

This plant is grown mainly as indoor plant and the special characteristic of the plant is that it can grow even in a water -filled bottle or a container without any soil. It can survive in a bottle filled with water alone for a reasonable time if you simply keep the water changing or refill at frequent intervals. Although many plants can be grown as hydroponics but money plant survive without addition of nutrients in the water just with naturally found salts in the water. Since money plant is an indoor plant, it grows well with bright filtered light. In less or more light, discoloration of the leaves take place.

There is a popular belief if money plant thrives well it brings prosperity. Conversely, if growth of the money plant is stunted or retarded, it indicates financial crisis ahead for inhabitants. It is understood that plant is called money plant because its leaves (round, flat, heart-shaped, dark green and plump) resembles with the coins. Growing nature of the plant shows that money plant is a perennial climber and young plants bear three-four inches long heart-shaped leaves.

According to a belief, money plant loses its significance if it is planted by borrowing the cuttings. However, chances are slim that someone will agree to give you cuttings from the plants growing in one's house. Giving money plant or its cutting to others symbolizes giving money to them. House owner gets more money or becomes richer if this plant is propagated using stolen branches (cuttings). Hence, if you are gifting money plant to your loved one it simply mean you are inheriting your wealth. According to another belief, person from whom house the branches are cut stands to loose his money. I don't wish to spread the disbelief or send wrong notion but this is true also as I have observed similar effect in few cases.In one case, I have seen that bike of the house owner was stolen few days after branches of money plant was stolen by someone and planted in his own house. (You can either believe it or just ignore it but this is true. However, nobody can say with full confidence whether it was effect of money plant or just a coincidence).

Although money plant is easy to grow and hardy plant, you can opt for plastic plants as these will never dry and always decorate your house. Information on growing requirements is available here.