Money and Money Plant

What is the connection between money and money plant? Seriously speaking, I thought there was none. But then I bounced upon a few interesting articles which spoke about the stories of this little plant.

What is a money plant: This is a small plant that can be easily grown in areas like bedroom or kitchen where there is very little light. This plant requires very little care and is hence loved by people who know about the basics of growing this plant. All that it needs to grow a money plant is a single leaf stuck into the loose porous soil inside a pot. Water it once in two days and you are done. The plant requires very little sunlight (if kept inside the home). If grown in a large pot it grows pretty well but you should know how often to water it, how much to water it, etc. This tree has only water filled within its leaves. But too much of water may create reverse osmosis and the plant will wither and die. So it is better to water it as much as is required.

Why grow a money plant: This little plant is promoted by Feng Shui which states that this is the elements balancing plant. According to Feng Shui all the major five elements of nature should be present in equal proportions inside a room. If not, this little plant will balance out the missing element as it has all the five elements in it (that’s what I heard). It is believed that this plant gives five leaves (that’s what I heard) and a plant with five or greater number of leaves signifies good fortune. But, in actual I have seen this plant grow as long as possible with large number of leaves. It is a creeper and can grow along the trunk of a tree as high as possible (that’s what I have seen). This plant is also found to grow in clear water. Even then, it is a better option to grow it in soil with little water supplied to it in every two days. Which actually means that this plant requires very little care. Hence it can be grown by people living in cities too. It requires very little sunlight and is happier in areas where filtered sunlight is available (but not too harsh).

Story behind the money plant: The money plant has a predictable story. There was a person who was completely misfortunate in everything he tried. He got a money plant (which was given to him by god after listening to his prayers). He grew this plant with utmost care and his fortune was turned upside down (or rather downside up). I don’t know why, but this plant must be a special one in order to have such a wonderful name. I have also observed that either it is the richer people who grow this plant or people grow this plant and become richer (that’s how the probable myth grows). Of the stories that I saw some seemed original in the light of fiction whereas others seemed to be stories created by people selling this plant in order to make good profit out of it (and hey they got it!). Even if we leave the fortune part aside, it always feels good to have a plant in our rooms. It gives the touch of nature to our rooms. I also heard that this plant makes people become romantic (that might be predicted by taking a look at its heart shaped leaves). It is quite surprising to see that a plant which grows with so much ease brings luck in the form of money and love to the house, whereas, a person toiling so hard in the lands gets money enough for just fulfilling his families hunger.

A few more suggestions for growing the money plant: The money plant must be pruned if you want it to grow like a bush. Else you may take it to the terrace, keep it at a place which receives less sunlight and let it hang down from the parapet wall. Let it hang down in a direction where direct sunlight is absent. This gives a very beautiful look to the house. There is no reason why one should not plant a money plant in his room. I am growing mine. One thing is noticeable that this plant grows very quickly under favorable conditions. And, if it is said to bring luck to our fortune, why not grow it.

Statutory warning: This plant does not grow well at places where god is absent.