Why This Idea Is a Winner
In a world of complex DIY projects and expensive decor, the appeal of this idea lies in its profound simplicity. The Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum), often called Pothos, is famously resilient. It's the plant that forgives you if you forget about it,
making it perfect for busy professionals and beginners. When placed in water, it not only survives but thrives, sprouting new roots and leaves with almost no intervention. Pairing it with an apothecary bottle elevates the look from a simple cutting in a jar to a deliberate piece of decor. The dark amber or clear glass bottles, with their vintage labels and shapely stoppers, add a touch of old-world charm and scientific curiosity to your modern workspace. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward customisation—a living, growing piece of art that costs next to nothing to create.
Gather Your Simple Supplies
The beauty of this project is its short and accessible shopping list. You likely have some of these items already. Here’s what you’ll need: 1. **A Healthy Money Plant:** You don't need a whole plant. All you need is access to one. Ask a friend or colleague for a cutting. Look for a healthy vine with at least 3-4 leaves and a few nodes (the little bumps on the stem where leaves and roots grow). 2. **An Apothecary Bottle:** These can be found online, in home decor stores, or even at flea markets. Choose a size that feels proportionate to your desk space. Amber glass bottles offer a classic, moody look and can help slow algae growth, while clear glass provides a clean, minimalist view of the developing root system. 3. **Clean Scissors or Shears:** A sharp, clean cut is crucial for the health of both the parent plant and your new cutting. 4. **Water:** Regular tap water is usually fine. If your water is heavily treated, let it sit out for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate before using.
The Five-Minute Setup
This is where the 'easiest' part of the headline really proves itself. The entire process takes less time than making a cup of chai. **Step 1: Take the Cutting.** Select a healthy vine on the parent money plant. Using your clean scissors, make a cut about a quarter-inch below a node (the small brown bump on the stem). Your cutting should be about 4-6 inches long and have 2-4 leaves. **Step 2: Prepare the Cutting.** Gently remove the leaf closest to the cut end. This is important because any leaves submerged in water will rot. You want at least one node to be underwater, as this is where the new roots will sprout from. **Step 3: Place it in the Bottle.** Fill your apothecary bottle with water, leaving an inch or so of space at the top. Carefully place your cutting into the bottle, ensuring the bare node is submerged and the remaining leaves are above the waterline. And that’s it. You’re done. Place your new desk plant somewhere it can receive bright, indirect light.
Care and Long-Term Styling
Maintaining your new green companion is just as easy as setting it up. Change the water every one to two weeks to keep it fresh and oxygenated, and to prevent any murkiness. When you change the water, give the bottle a quick rinse. Within a few weeks, you should start to see delicate white roots emerging from the submerged node. The plant can live in water happily for years. If the vine grows too long for your desk, simply trim it and use the cutting to start another bottle or plant it in soil. You can also group bottles of different sizes and shapes for a more dynamic display, creating a mini-botanical installation right on your desk. This not only looks beautiful but also adds to the calming, biophilic effect of having nature close by while you work.
