How to Grow and Care for a Money Tree

Money Tree (AKA PachiraThe money tree is a beautiful tree with dark green, hand-shaped leaves and a unique braided trunk made up of multiple intertwining trunks. According to various cultures and Feng Shui, the money tree is said to bring good fortune and prosperity to a space.

The money plant is a great plant for beginners because it’s easy to care for, kid and pet friendly, and a natural air purifier that improves indoor air quality by removing indoor toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

This plant is originally native to the swamps of Central and North South America, including Mexico, but is now also found in Asia. Its leaves are shaped like a cross between a tree and a palm, and as a tree it can grow up to 8 feet tall indoors.

Related: Learn how to care for Chinese Money Plant, Dieffenbachia, Calathea, Spider Web Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Golden Pothos, Sansevieria, Rubber Tree, Christmas Cactus, and String of Pearls Plant.

Why are money trees thought to bring good luck?

In Chinese culture and Feng Shui, the Gold Tree is considered to bring good fortune due to its coin-shaped, green overall shape and five interwoven stems which represent the five Feng Shui elements: water, fire, earth, metal and wood.

These trees are often placed in homes, workplaces and other places where good energy and good fortune are expected to be attracted. The base of the tree forms a circle, which represents heaven, while the trunk of the tree represents man, and together they are said to ward off bad luck.

How often should I water my money tree?

Money plants need to be watered more often than other plants, but they don’t like to be soaked. Stick your finger into the soil to see if the surface is moist, and water when the top 2 to 4 inches of soil feels dry. Make sure the soil is well-draining, preferably well-draining, to prevent root rot (pots without holes in the bottom will keep excess water in rather than draining).

A good tip is to water until water comes out. Drainage holeStop and discard excess water. Plant trayThe sunnier areas of your home will require more water and the darker areas will require less water.

How much sunlight does a money tree need?

Money trees do best in bright indirect light and are best placed near a sunny window. Avoid direct sunlight on the tree as it will burn its shiny green leaves. The plant can adapt to low light, but too little light can cause the leaves to yellow and growth to slow.

This is a tree that likes to maintain a uniform shape, so rotate the plant every few weeks to prevent uneven growth as it reaches toward the sun as it grows.

Should you fertilize your money tree?

For optimal growth, All-purpose fertilizer Fertilize your money tree during the growing season (spring and summer) when new leaves begin to appear. Add a half-strength mix of general purpose fertilizer once or twice a month, making sure the soil is moist before fertilizing.

Money tree temperature and humidity

Money trees are tropical plants, so they do best in environments between 65° and 85°. These plants like a humidity level of around 50%, so you can either place a humidifier nearby (especially if the air is dry) or simply fill a tray with pebbles and water and place the pot on top. Fill it with water just below the pebbles, then place the pot on top of the stones, and the water in the tray will evaporate, creating humidity around the plant.

You can also plant multiple plants close together to benefit from the transpiration of the other trees. If you want to grow your money tree outdoors, provide partial shade and bring the plant back indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees.

Pruning the money tree

To keep your money tree healthy, prune it by cutting off any damaged or browned leaves to encourage new growth. Use sharp scissors. Or pruning shears To keep your plants looking neat, remove any dead leaves and stems.

Pruning the lower leaves of the plant will encourage growth of the upper leaves and help the top of the tree maintain its rounded shape.

Replanting a money tree

To prevent your money tree from becoming root-bound, plant new plants planter When spring comes, it will be about 2 inches larger than the previous one. To know if it’s time to transplant it into a larger planter, check to see if the roots at the bottom of the pot have started to grow out of the drainage holes. If they have, it means the roots definitely need space to spread out and it’s time to transplant it into a larger pot.

In areas with low light, you may not need to repot your money tree as often, but in brighter areas the plant will grow faster and will need to be repotted more frequently. Drainage holes and trays Ensure proper drainage and Well-drained potting soil.

Grow your money tree

To propagate a money tree, grow new plants from cuttings in early summer. To grow the new plant properly, you need:

• Cut 4-inch-long stem cuttings from healthy branches with vigorous new nodes that will grow segments.
• Place the stem in a bowl or cup of water so that only the bottom part is submerged (be sure to remove any leaves from the bottom part beforehand).
• Once the roots have developed, transfer the plant to a small pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
• If you want to make it a braided tree, wait for three new shoots to grow, add them to the same pot, and gently braid them together, securing the top with ribbon until they are fully grown together.

Diagnosing common problems

• Yellow or brown leaves: This can be a sign of both over-watering and under-watering (frustrating, right?!) If the leaves are curled and look a little withered, your plant is probably under-watered, and if the soil isn’t completely dry to the touch and the stem is soft, your plant is probably over-watered.
• Soft stem: If the stems and trunks become soft, you are overwatering your plant. Reduce watering and allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.
• Leggy Branches: If the stems are getting longer and longer but the plant isn’t growing any new shoots or leaves, it may need more light and a little fertilizer (in the spring or summer) to encourage growth.
• Leaf fall: Plants don’t like to be moved often, so it’s best to pick a good spot and let it stay there and thrive. If you do have to move it, it may lose some leaves, but as long as there is enough light there, it should adjust to its new location.
• pest: Money trees can handle insect infestations, Neem Oil For eliminating mealybugs and scale insects Insecticidal soap To get rid of spider mites.