How to Take Care of a Money Tree: Grow Your Own Symbol of Prosperity

The money tree, or Pachira aquatica, isn’t just a charming houseplant with a braided trunk; it’s often associated with good luck and financial prosperity, making it a popular choice for homes and offices alike. Native to Central and South America, this resilient plant is surprisingly easy to care for indoors, even for beginners. With the right conditions, your money tree can thrive and bring a touch of greenery and positive energy to your space. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about How To Take Care Of A Money Tree, ensuring it flourishes and potentially brings you some good fortune!

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Caring for a money tree involves understanding its basic needs for light, water, soil, and humidity. Let’s delve into the essential care requirements to help your money tree thrive.

Essential Money Tree Care Requirements

To ensure your money tree stays healthy and vibrant, focus on these key aspects of its care:

Light: Bright, Indirect Sunlight is Key

Money trees thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Aim for at least six hours of this type of light per day. A spot near an east-facing window is often ideal, as it provides gentle morning sun. West or south-facing windows can also work, but be sure to diffuse strong afternoon sunlight with sheer curtains to prevent leaf scorch.

Signs of Incorrect Light:

Too much direct sun: Scorched leaves, especially on the side facing the window.
Too little light: Leggy growth (long stems with sparse leaves), leaves may turn pale yellow, and the plant’s overall growth may slow down or stop.

If you don’t have enough natural light, fluorescent or LED grow lights can supplement or replace sunlight. Position grow lights about 6-12 inches above the plant for optimal growth.

Soil: Well-Draining and Slightly Acidic Mix

The right soil is crucial for a healthy money tree. It needs a potting mix that drains quickly to prevent root rot. A peat moss-based potting mix is excellent because it retains some moisture while ensuring good drainage and provides the slightly acidic pH (between 6.0 and 7.5) that money trees prefer.

You can also use a general-purpose indoor potting mix amended with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. Cactus or succulent mixes can also work well due to their excellent drainage properties. Avoid heavy, garden soil, as it retains too much moisture and can lead to root problems.

Watering: Finding the Right Balance

Watering correctly is arguably the most critical aspect of money tree care. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot, a fatal condition for money trees.

Watering Schedule:

Spring and Summer (Growing Season): Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This might be roughly once a week, but always check the soil moisture before watering.
Fall and Winter (Dormant Season): Reduce watering frequency as the plant’s growth slows down. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. This could be every two to three weeks, depending on your home’s environment.

Tips for Proper Watering:

Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
Watering Technique: Water slowly and evenly until water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water that collects in the saucer to prevent the plant from sitting in water.
Observe Your Plant: Pay attention to your money tree’s leaves. Drooping or yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering or underwatering (check soil moisture to determine which).

Temperature and Humidity: Warmth and Moisture

Money trees thrive in average room temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Avoid placing them near drafts from heating or air conditioning vents, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant.

They also appreciate higher humidity levels than are typically found in homes, especially during dry winter months. To increase humidity:

Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it increases humidity around the plant. Ensure the pot is sitting above the water line, not in the water.
Misting: Mist the leaves regularly with room temperature water, especially during dry periods.
Humidifier: Use a room humidifier, especially if you have several humidity-loving plants.
Grouping Plants: Grouping plants together can create a microclimate with higher humidity.

Fertilizer: Feed During the Growing Season

Money trees benefit from regular fertilization during their active growing season (spring and summer). Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Reduce fertilization to every other month or stop entirely during the fall and winter when growth slows down.

Signs of Over-Fertilization:

White crust on the soil surface.
Fertilizer burn on leaf tips (brown and crispy edges).
Stunted growth.

If you suspect over-fertilization, flush the soil by watering thoroughly several times to leach out excess salts.

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Pruning and Shaping Your Money Tree

Pruning is beneficial for money trees for several reasons:

Shape and Size Control: Pruning helps maintain the desired shape and size of your money tree, especially if you want to keep it compact.
Encourage Bushier Growth: Regular pruning encourages branching and fuller growth, particularly at the top of the plant.
Braid Maintenance: If you have a braided money tree, pruning helps keep the braid neat and prevents stems from becoming too unruly.
Remove Dead or Yellow Leaves: Prune away any dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves to improve the plant’s appearance and health.

Pruning Techniques:

Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors.
Prune in spring or summer during the active growing season.
To control height, you can trim the top of the main stems.
To encourage branching, prune just above a leaf node (the point where a leaf grows from the stem).
Remove any suckers (small shoots growing from the base of the plant) to maintain the braided trunk structure, if desired.

How to Braid a Money Tree Trunk

The braided trunk is a distinctive feature of many money trees, often symbolizing the binding of good fortune. If you purchase a young money tree with multiple stems, you can braid it yourself:

Start Young: Braid young, flexible stems (ideally around a foot long). Older, thicker stems are harder to braid and may break.
Prepare Stems: Gently unpot the plants (often multiple seedlings are planted together to create a fuller look). Remove any leaves from the lower portion of the stems that would get in the way of braiding.
Braid Loosely: Braid the stems together as you would braid hair, keeping it loose to allow for growth. Tight braids can restrict stem thickening and damage the plant.
Secure Ends: Use soft twine, ribbon, or twist ties to secure the braid at the top and bottom.
Repot: Repot the braided plant into a slightly larger pot. Use a stake to support the braid initially, if needed, loosely tying the stems to the stake.
Shady Recovery: Place the newly braided plant in a partially shady location for a few weeks to recover from the stress of braiding.
Remove Ties: After a few months, once the braid has set, you can carefully remove the ties.

Propagating Your Money Tree

Propagating money trees is a rewarding way to create new plants from stem cuttings. Spring or summer is the best time for propagation when the plant is actively growing.

Stem Cutting Propagation:

Take Cuttings: Cut a 4-6 inch stem cutting from a healthy stem, ensuring it has at least a couple of leaf nodes.
Prepare Cuttings: Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving only a few at the top.
Rooting in Water: Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the nodes are submerged. Change the water every few days.
Rooting Hormone (Optional): Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder to encourage faster root development.
Planting: Once roots have developed (usually in a few weeks), plant the cutting in a pot with well-draining potting mix.
Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist and provide bright, indirect light to encourage new growth.

Potting and Repotting

Potting: Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball, with drainage holes. Terracotta pots are a good choice as they allow for better aeration and drainage.
Repotting: Repot your money tree every 2-3 years, or when it becomes root-bound (roots circling the pot). Spring is the best time for repotting. If you want to keep your money tree at its current size, you can trim the roots lightly during repotting and use the same pot. If you want it to grow larger, move it to a pot that is only one size larger.

Common Pests and Problems

Money trees are generally resilient but can be susceptible to common houseplant pests and problems:

Common Pests:

Mealybugs: White, cottony pests that cluster in leaf axils and undersides of leaves.
Scale: Small, brown, shell-like insects that attach to stems and leaves.
Spider Mites: Tiny mites that create fine webs and cause leaf stippling.

Pest Control:

Regular Inspection: Check your plant regularly for pests.
Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil: Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil, following product instructions.
Rubbing Alcohol: For mealybugs and scale, you can dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Common Problems:

Yellowing Leaves: Can be caused by overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or incorrect light. Assess your watering habits and light exposure.
Brown Leaf Tips: Often a sign of dry air or fertilizer burn. Increase humidity and ensure you are diluting fertilizer correctly.
Soft or Mushy Stems: Indicate overwatering and potential root rot. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings and ensure good drainage.
Leggy Growth: Lack of sufficient light. Move your money tree to a brighter location.

FAQ About Money Trees

How long do money trees live?
With proper care, money trees can live for 10 years or more indoors.

Will my indoor money tree flower?
It’s rare for indoor money trees to flower. They typically flower outdoors in their native habitat and require specific pollination conditions usually provided by bats.

Can I put my money tree outside in the summer?
Yes, you can move your money tree outdoors during the summer in regions with mild temperatures. Acclimate it gradually to outdoor conditions, starting with a shady spot and gradually moving it to dappled sunlight. Bring it back indoors before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).

Are money trees toxic to pets?
Money trees are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a pet-friendly choice for your home.

By following these comprehensive care tips, you can ensure your money tree thrives, bringing beauty and perhaps a little bit of financial luck into your home or office. Enjoy the journey of nurturing this symbolic and easy-to-care-for plant!