Why Your Money Plant Has Long Vines But Tiny Leaves — The Internodal Stretching Problem

Money Plants (Epipremnum aureum, also known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy) are famous for their versatility, air-purifying qualities, and trailing beauty. But one common frustration among plant owners is when the vines grow long and leggy, yet the leaves stay small and underdeveloped.

This phenomenon, known as internodal stretching, is a sign that your plant is struggling to balance energy between leaf production and vine elongation. Let’s explore why this happens, how to fix it, and how to encourage fuller, leafier growth.

What Is Internodal Stretching?

Internodes are the spaces between leaves or nodes on a plant stem. In a healthy Money Plant, these spaces are relatively short, and leaves grow close together, creating a lush, bushy appearance.

Internodal stretching happens when the plant elongates its vines quickly—but doesn’t produce large or frequent leaves. The result:

• Sparse vines
• Tiny or misshapen leaves
• Fewer aerial roots
• A lanky, uneven look

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Top Causes of Internodal Stretching in Money Plants

1. Insufficient Light

The most common reason. When a plant doesn’t get enough light, it stretches toward the nearest light source.

Symptoms:

• Vines lean dramatically toward windows
• Pale green or yellowish leaves
• Tiny new leaves that take weeks to form

Fix: Move your plant to a brighter spot with indirect natural light, or supplement with a grow light if indoors.

2. Low Nutrient Availability

Without nutrients—especially nitrogen and potassium—your Money Plant may lack the resources to form large, healthy leaves.

Fix: Use a balanced liquid fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during growing season (spring–summer).

3. Overwatering or Root Bound Conditions

Excess moisture or compacted roots can stress the plant, diverting energy from leaf growth.

Fix:

• Check soil drainage
• Repot every 1–2 years
• Allow soil to dry between waterings

4. Infrequent Pruning

When vines grow unchecked, the plant focuses energy on stem elongation rather than compact, leafy growth.

Fix:

• Prune leggy vines just above a node
• This triggers new leaf nodes to sprout
• Regular pruning encourages a bushier look

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How to Encourage Bigger, Fuller Leaves

• Keep in bright, indirect light
• Fertilize monthly in growing season
• Rotate the pot weekly for even growth
• Use moss poles or trellises to encourage climbing behavior, which promotes leaf size

Conclusion

Leggy vines and small leaves are a cry for help—not a normal growth phase. The good news is, with the right light, pruning, and care, your Money Plant can rebound into a lush, vibrant showpiece full of generous green foliage.