Money Tree Plant Care Guide
Background
The money tree, also commonly referred to as Pachira aquatica, is great for beginners who want to bring some good luck into their lives. The money trees need relatively low maintenance and can be a great addition to any green space in your home. Below lists care tips and tricks on how to have a happy money tree in your own home.
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Money Tree, malabar chestnut, guiana chestnut, water chestnut
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Pachira Aquatica
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Malvaceae
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Mallows, Herbaceous Perennial
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Great for Beginners
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8 ft - 60 ft
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Bright, indirect
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Well draining soil composed on sand, perlite, and peat moss or sphagnum moss. Slightly acidic, 6.0-7.5 pH.
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Magenta
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10-11 (USDA)
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Freshwater swamps in Mexico among rivers in rainforests.
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Non-Toxic to Cats and Dogs
Styles of Money Trees
Commonly you will see two different types of money trees when visiting plant nurseries. Braided and stumped.
Money Tree Braided
This type of money tree is known for its braided stems that are tied to get the specific shape.
Money Tree Stumped
This type of money tree has a thick stump with leaves coming off the top of the wide bodied stem.
Sunlight Requirements
The money needs a minimum of 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day. Ideally, place your money tree close to a south or west-facing window. For best care, rotate your money tree each time you water it, to ensure it is getting enough sunlight on all sides of the plant.
Humidity Requirements
Money trees are low maintenance when it comes to humidity levels. Generally, keep your humidity levels below 50% and you should be good. This plant does not need a lot of humidity, so keep that in mind if you have plants with high humidity needs located near your money tree.
Temperature Requirements
Money trees thrive in temperatures are between 65 and 75 degree Fahrenheit. If you are keeping your money tree outdoors and live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing, consider bringing your plant indoors for best results. Money trees hate drafts, make sure that your plant is not located near open doors or heat/air conditioning vents for long periods of time.
Watering Requirements
For best results, water your money tree once or twice a week. Wait until the top inch or two of soil is dry. One of the largest issues plant parents run into when taking care of their money tree is watering. Over watering leads to a mushy stem and yellowing leaves. Underwatering your money tree will cause leaves to curl and look wrinkled. Keep in mind the change of seasons, in winter you will need to water your money tree less than during the hot summer months.
Soil Requirements
The best horticultural potting mix for the money tree is a mixture of the following:
Sand
Perlite
Peat Moss
Sphagnum Moss
Small Pebbles
Ensure that the pot you are keeping your money tree in has good drainage holes to allow water to escape. The soil must also be well draining, otherwise you are putting your money tree at risk for overwatering.
Can I keep my money tree indoors or outdoors?
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Yes, money trees have the ability to grow up to their maximum height of 8 feet, granted it has all of its needs fulfilled. Place your plant near a south facing window and make sure not to over water it and your money tree should be set up for success.
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Yes, you can also have great success with placing your money tree outdoors as long as you mimic its natural growing environment. Never place your money tree in direct light as this can be detrimental to the health of the tree.
Susceptible Diseases & Pests
Money trees are susceptible for a wide variety of pests and diseases. Some of the following includes:
Scale
Anthracnose
Mildew
Root Rot
Stem Rot
Wilt Disease
Does luck come from the money tree?
It is known that money trees have the ability to attract positive energy and good luck into the home. In many feng shui traditions, the money tree represents prosperity and good fortune. While following the feng shui guidelines, your money tree should be placed in a southeast area of your home.
Pruning
It is super easy to prune a money tree. Just follow some of these common care tips for pruning your money tree.
Always remove dead, yellowing or wilting leaves from the plant. Leaving these on can cause diseases and attract unwanted pests.
Take off any overgrowth. If you see a leaf that doesn’t seem to belong, cut it off.
If you want to have a more drastic prune, find your nearest “v-shaped” stem and cut right below it.
Keep in mind or always use a sanitized pair of scissors or shears to prune your plant to prevent bacterial infections. After pruning, make sure to always give your plant a good rinse to avoid shocking the plant.
What does a variegated money tree look like?
Variegated Braided Money Tree
Known for its white colored leaves with green specs. depending on how you look at it, it could be green leaves with white specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to the ASPCA, money trees, pachira aquatica, are non toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. It is still not advised to consume these plants. Visit the ASPCA website for more information about money trees.
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Follow these steps when your plant is ready to be repotted.
Step One: remove the plant from the pot and begin untangling the roots. If the roots appear to be clumped together, run the roots under room temperature water to set it free.
Step Two: a personal preference is to mix some of the old soil into the new soil mix.
Step Three: make sure that the new pot has good drainage holes.
Step Four: place some of the potting mix into the new pot and place the money tree into the soil.
Step Five: put soil around the stem of the plant. Make sure to not pack down the soil, keep it aerated.
Step Six: give it a good watering after transferring into the new pot. -
There are a lot of things that can contribute to yellowing leaves. The two most common reasons are due to temperature fluctuations and over watering. Make sure that your money tree is not experiencing sudden temperature changes, this may occur if your plant is placed near an air vent. When watering make sure that you wait until the top two inches dry out before watering again.
If you are experiencing yellowing leaves, cut them off to prevent any unwanted disease. -
Money trees are known to be those pretty braided plants located in peoples homes. Generally, they grow up to 8 feet. But in their natural habitat they can grow up to 60 feet tall.