Repotting guide

When & how to repot Money Plant Spurflower (Plectranthus verticillatus)

Also called Money Plant, Swedish Ivy, Creeping Charlie, Whorled Plectranthus.

More about money plant spurflower

About Money Plant Spurflower

Plectranthus verticillatus · also called Money Plant, Swedish Ivy · houseplant

Plectranthus verticillatus (often sold as Swedish ivy or Money Plant) is a fast-growing, trailing South African native in the mint family, popular for hanging baskets and shelves with its glossy, scalloped, bright-green leaves and easy-going nature. It grows vigorously in bright, indirect light with evenly moist compost and will cascade dramatically once established. It is notably pet-safe — a welcome trait for households with cats or dogs. Listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

Mature size: Trailing stems reach 60–90 cm; remains compact in small pots but fills large hanging baskets within one growing season

Watch for — Leggy, sparse trailing stems: Caused by insufficient light or infrequent pinching; move to a brighter spot and regularly pinch out stem tips to encourage denser, bushier growth and a fuller trailing habit.

How to tell money plant spurflower needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For money plant spurflower, watch for these signs:

Roots poking out of the drainage holes or coiling visibly around the inside of the pot.
You are watering far more often than you used to because the rootball dries out within a day or two.
Water runs straight through and out the bottom without soaking in.
Top growth has slowed or new money plant spurflower leaves are noticeably smaller than older ones despite good light.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot money plant spurflower

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast. Money Plant Spurflower's growth habit — vigorous, trailing or scrambling evergreen perennial; stems root readily where they touch compost, making it an ideal hanging-basket or shelf plant that cascades attractively. — sets the pace. Plectranthus verticillatus (often sold as Swedish ivy or Money Plant) is a fast-growing, trailing South African native in the mint family, popular for hanging baskets and shelves with its glossy, scalloped, bright-green leaves and easy-going nature. It grows vigorously in bright, indirect light with evenly moist compost and will cascade dramatically once established. It is notably pet-safe — a welcome trait for households with cats or dogs. Listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

What size pot to step money plant spurflower up to

Step up one pot size — about 2–3 cm (an inch) wider. Money Plant Spurflower grows fast, so it will fill that space within a season, but jumping several sizes at once still backfires: the unused soil stays soggy and rots even a vigorous root system. One size at a time, every year or so, is the rhythm.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot money plant spurflower

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for money plant spurflower. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting money plant spurflower

Time it for spring. Repot money plant spurflower in early spring as growth restarts so it re-roots quickly into the fresh soil.
Choose one size up. Pick a pot about 2–3 cm wider with drainage holes. One step only — a much bigger pot stays soggy and rots roots.
Ease the plant out. Water lightly the day before, then tip money plant spurflower out and gently loosen any roots circling the bottom of the rootball.
Repot at the same depth. Put a layer of fresh well-drained, moderately fertile compost in the new pot, set the plant so its soil line is unchanged, and backfill, firming lightly.
Water and pause feeding. Water once to settle the soil. Hold off fertiliser for about a month — fresh mix already has nutrients and feeding now burns new roots.

Aftercare

Water money plant spurflower once to settle the soil, then let the surface dry before watering again — fresh mix around the roots stays wetter than the old compacted ball, so the commonest post-repot mistake is overwatering. Keep it out of direct sun for a week or two while roots re-establish. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for money plant spurflower

Money Plant Spurflower wants well-drained, moderately fertile compost. A standard peat-free multi-purpose compost with 15% perlite added gives adequate drainage for the shallow roots. Avoid heavy, compacted mixes; good aeration around the roots promotes vigorous trailing growth. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting money plant spurflower — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot money plant spurflower?

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast for money plant spurflower. Repot money plant spurflower roughly every 12–18 months, in early spring as growth restarts. It grows fast and circles its pot quickly, so step up one size (about 2–3 cm wider) into fresh well-drained, moderately fertile compost. Don't jump several sizes — that soggy excess soil is what rots vigorous roots.

What size pot does money plant spurflower need?

When is the best time of year to repot money plant spurflower?

Can you put money plant spurflower straight into a much bigger pot?

No. Even a fast-growing money plant spurflower should only go up one pot size at a time. A vastly oversized pot holds a reservoir of wet soil the roots cannot reach, which stays cold and soggy and rots the roots — the opposite of what you wanted.

Should you fertilise money plant spurflower after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting money plant spurflower. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.