Money Tree Care Tips: Expert Gardener Advice
Money trees (Pachira aquatica) have become one of the most popular houseplants for both experienced gardeners and beginners. With their distinctive braided trunks and lush green foliage, these tropical plants bring natural elegance to any indoor space. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, money trees are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in feng shui traditions, making them a cherished addition to homes and offices worldwide.
Whether you’ve just purchased your first money tree or you’re looking to revitalize a struggling plant, understanding the fundamentals of proper care is essential. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about maintaining a healthy, thriving money tree. From watering schedules to lighting requirements, we’ll cover the expert techniques that professional gardeners use to keep these beautiful plants flourishing year-round.
Understanding Your Money Tree
Money trees are native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America, which means they thrive in warm, humid environments. The distinctive feature that makes money trees instantly recognizable is their braided trunk, which is typically created during cultivation by intertwining multiple young stems together. This braiding process requires skill and patience, similar to the meticulous attention needed when you learn proper cleaning techniques for delicate items.
The plant can grow quite tall indoors, often reaching 6 to 8 feet in height, though some specimens may grow even larger. Money trees produce glossy, compound leaves arranged in clusters, typically with five leaflets per cluster (though sometimes seven). The leaves are deep green and have a slightly waxy appearance that helps them reflect light beautifully in indoor settings.
Understanding that your money tree is essentially a tropical plant is crucial because it informs every care decision you’ll make. These plants prefer consistent warmth, moderate to bright indirect light, and soil that drains well but retains some moisture. Unlike desert plants that can tolerate extreme neglect, money trees need regular attention and consistent care to truly flourish.
Optimal Lighting Conditions
Light is perhaps the most critical factor in money tree care. These plants evolved in the understory of tropical rainforests, meaning they receive filtered, dappled sunlight rather than direct rays. In your home, this translates to bright, indirect light being ideal for sustained growth and vibrant foliage.
Place your money tree near a window that receives plenty of natural light but where direct sunlight is filtered through a sheer curtain or by the window’s positioning. East-facing windows are often excellent choices because they provide gentle morning light without the intense afternoon sun. North-facing windows work if they’re bright enough, though growth may be slower. West-facing windows can work but may expose your plant to too much intense afternoon heat.
If your money tree isn’t receiving adequate light, you’ll notice several warning signs. Leaves may become smaller and less vibrant, growth will slow significantly, and the plant may become leggy with long stretches of stem between leaf clusters. In these cases, consider relocating your plant or supplementing with a quality grow light positioned 12 to 18 inches above the plant.
Conversely, direct intense sunlight can scorch the leaves, causing brown patches or bleached appearance. If you notice leaf burn, move your plant slightly further from the window or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light. Rotating your money tree every week or two ensures even light exposure on all sides, promoting balanced, symmetrical growth.
Watering Your Money Tree
Watering is where many money tree owners make critical mistakes. The most common error is overwatering, which leads to root rot—the number one cause of money tree decline. Money trees prefer to dry out slightly between waterings, so it’s essential to check soil moisture before adding water.
The best method for determining when to water is the finger test: insert your index finger about one inch into the soil. If the soil feels dry at this depth, it’s time to water thoroughly. If the soil still feels moist, wait a few more days before checking again. When you do water, water until it drains from the bottom of the pot, ensuring the entire root ball is moistened, then empty any water that accumulates in the saucer.
During the growing season (spring and summer), your money tree may need watering once a week or every 10 days, depending on factors like pot size, soil composition, room temperature, and humidity. In fall and winter, growth slows dramatically, and your plant’s water needs decrease accordingly. During these cooler months, you may only need to water every two to three weeks.
The type of water matters too. Tap water containing chlorine or fluorine can accumulate in the soil over time and potentially harm your plant. If possible, use filtered water or allow tap water to sit overnight before using it, allowing chlorine to evaporate. Room-temperature water is preferable to cold water, which can shock the roots.
Watch for signs of both overwatering and underwatering. Overwatered plants display yellowing leaves, soft stems, a musty soil smell, and visible mold or fungus. Underwatered plants show crispy brown leaf tips, slow growth, and leaves that feel papery and dry. Finding the right balance takes observation and adjustment as seasons change.
Soil and Potting Requirements
Money trees require well-draining soil that doesn’t compact over time. Standard potting soil alone often retains too much moisture and can lead to root rot. Instead, create a custom soil mix that combines potting soil with perlite and orchid bark in roughly equal proportions. This mixture provides excellent drainage while still retaining enough moisture for the roots to absorb water and nutrients.
Pot selection is equally important. Your money tree should be planted in a container with drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The pot should be only slightly larger than the root ball, typically one to two inches larger in diameter. A pot that’s too large holds excessive soil and moisture, increasing the risk of root rot. Conversely, a pot that’s too small restricts root growth and may require frequent watering.
Money trees are relatively slow growers and don’t need frequent repotting. Plan to repot your plant every two to three years, ideally in spring when new growth is beginning. Signs that repotting is necessary include roots growing through drainage holes, water running straight through the pot without being absorbed, or stunted growth despite proper care. When repotting, use fresh soil mix and a pot only one to two inches larger than the current one.
The material of the pot also matters. Terracotta pots allow soil to dry faster, which can be beneficial if you tend to overwater, though they also dry out quickly in warm conditions. Plastic pots retain moisture longer, which works well if your home is particularly dry. Ceramic pots offer a middle ground and can be quite attractive for display purposes.
Temperature and Humidity
Money trees are tropical plants that prefer warm temperatures consistently. Ideally, maintain temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C). The plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C), but growth will slow significantly, and the plant may become stressed. Avoid exposing your money tree to temperatures below 50°F, as cold damage can cause leaf drop and plant decline.
Equally important is protecting your plant from drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations. Don’t place your money tree near air conditioning vents, heating ducts, or drafty windows. These fluctuations stress the plant and can trigger leaf drop or slow growth. Maintain consistent temperatures by keeping your plant in a stable interior location away from exterior doors or windows.
Humidity is another critical factor in money tree care. These tropical plants prefer humidity levels between 50% and 60%, though they can adapt to average household humidity of 40% to 50%. Low humidity can cause brown leaf tips and may attract spider mites. To increase humidity, consider several strategies: mist the leaves with water two to three times weekly, place the pot on a humidity tray filled with water and pebbles, or use a room humidifier during dry seasons.
Grouping your money tree with other plants creates a microclimate with higher humidity. As plants transpire, they release moisture into the air, benefiting neighboring plants. This is similar to how proper expert home and garden tips emphasize creating ideal growing conditions through environmental design.
Fertilizing and Nutrient Management
Money trees are moderate feeders and don’t require excessive fertilization. During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize every two to four weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. A balanced fertilizer has equal or nearly equal ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5).
Overfertilizing can cause salt buildup in the soil, which damages roots and causes leaf browning. If you notice white or crusty deposits on the soil surface or pot interior, this indicates salt accumulation. Flush the soil by running water through it several times to leach out excess salts, then resume a lighter fertilizing schedule.
In fall and winter, reduce fertilizing significantly or stop entirely. As growth slows dramatically during cooler months, your plant’s nutrient needs decrease. Resume regular fertilizing when new growth appears in spring. Some gardeners prefer organic fertilizers like fish emulsion or seaweed extract, which provide nutrients in a gentler form and promote beneficial soil microbes.
If your money tree shows signs of nutrient deficiency—such as pale new growth, yellowing leaves, or stunted growth despite proper care—adjust your fertilizing routine. However, ensure that nutrient deficiency is actually the problem rather than overwatering or poor lighting, as these more common issues should be addressed first.
Pruning and Shaping
Pruning your money tree serves multiple purposes: it encourages bushier, fuller growth; it removes dead or diseased foliage; and it allows you to shape the plant according to your preferences. The best time to prune is in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing and can quickly recover from pruning cuts.
Use clean, sharp pruning shears to make cuts just above a leaf node or bud. This is the point where new growth will emerge. Remove any dead, diseased, or yellowing leaves and stems. If your money tree has become leggy or sparse, don’t hesitate to prune more aggressively—these plants respond well to pruning and will branch out from below the cut.
For the characteristic braided trunk, pruning is typically not necessary if you purchased a pre-braided specimen. However, if you have a young plant and want to create a braided effect yourself, this requires patience and careful tying of young stems together as they grow. This is a specialized technique best learned from experienced growers, though it’s similar in principle to the precision required when you learn skilled tradecraft in any field.
Remove any suckers or shoots that grow from the base of the trunk if you prefer a single-trunked appearance. However, allowing the plant to develop multiple stems creates a fuller, bushier plant, which many people find more attractive.
Common Problems and Solutions
Despite your best efforts, your money tree may occasionally encounter problems. The most common issue is root rot from overwatering. Signs include soft, mushy stems; yellowing leaves; and a sour smell from the soil. If you suspect root rot, remove the plant from its pot and examine the roots. Healthy roots are light tan or white; rotted roots are dark brown or black and may feel mushy. Trim away rotted roots with clean shears, repot in fresh, dry soil, and adjust your watering schedule.
Spider mites are the most common pest affecting money trees, particularly in dry conditions. These tiny arachnids cause yellowing leaves with fine webbing. Increase humidity and mist the plant regularly; spray affected leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil according to product directions. Mealybugs and scale insects also occasionally affect money trees; treat these similarly with insecticidal soap.
Leaf drop can result from several causes: cold exposure, sudden environmental changes, overwatering, or underwatering. Identify and correct the underlying cause. Ensure your plant is in a warm, stable location with consistent watering appropriate to the season.
Brown leaf tips often indicate low humidity or water quality issues (chlorine or fluorine in tap water). Increase humidity through misting or a humidifier, and switch to filtered or distilled water if your tap water is heavily treated.
Slow growth or small leaves may indicate insufficient light, nutrient deficiency, or a pot that’s too small. Assess each factor and make adjustments accordingly. Move the plant to a brighter location or supplement with a grow light, adjust your fertilizing schedule, or repot into a slightly larger container if needed.
Propagation Techniques
Money trees can be propagated from cuttings, allowing you to create new plants from an existing specimen. Take cuttings in spring or summer from new growth, selecting stems that are 4 to 6 inches long with at least two to three leaf nodes. Use clean shears to make the cut just below a node.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving only the top two to three leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder, which increases the success rate of propagation. Plant the cutting in a moist, well-draining propagation mix (a blend of peat moss and perlite works well) and cover with a clear plastic bag or propagation dome to maintain high humidity.
Place the cutting in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically develop within three to four weeks. Once roots are established and new growth appears, gradually acclimate the new plant to normal humidity by opening the plastic covering incrementally over a week or two. Then repot into regular potting soil and care for it as you would a mature money tree.
Money trees can also be grown from seed, though this is a slower process and seeds may be difficult to obtain. If you choose to grow from seed, soak seeds overnight before planting them in moist seed-starting mix. Keep the soil warm (70-75°F) and moist until germination occurs, which typically takes two to three weeks.
FAQ
How often should I water my money tree?
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, typically every 7-10 days during growing season and every 14-21 days in winter. Always check soil moisture before watering rather than following a strict schedule.
Can money trees tolerate low light?
Money trees prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. However, growth will slow significantly, and the plant may become leggy. Supplement with a grow light if natural light is limited.
Why are my money tree’s leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves typically indicate overwatering or root rot. Ensure you’re allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings and that your pot has adequate drainage. Less commonly, yellowing can indicate nutrient deficiency or natural leaf aging.
How tall do money trees grow indoors?
Indoor money trees typically grow 6 to 8 feet tall, though some specimens may reach 10 feet or more with optimal care over many years. Regular pruning can keep them more compact.
Is it normal for money trees to drop leaves?
Occasional leaf drop is normal, especially older leaves. However, sudden or excessive leaf drop indicates stress from cold, drafts, overwatering, or environmental changes. Identify and correct the cause.
Do money trees need special soil?
Yes, use well-draining soil amended with perlite and orchid bark. Standard potting soil alone often retains too much moisture and can cause root rot.
How do I increase humidity for my money tree?
Mist leaves regularly, place the pot on a humidity tray with water and pebbles, use a room humidifier, or group plants together to create a microclimate with higher humidity.
Can I propagate money trees from leaves?
Money trees are best propagated from stem cuttings rather than individual leaves. Stem cuttings with at least two to three nodes have much higher success rates for root development.