Share your love!

How to Care for Money Trees

Like what you see? Check out my Portfolio & work with me or any Havenly designer, & spruce up your home with Havenly, the platform that has revolutionized online interior design since 2013! Offering online interior design services & home decor from the best online interior designers at an affordable price! Take 25% off your first design TODAY!

About Money Trees

The money tree, also known as Guiana chestnut, is a tree species native to Central and South America that has become a popular houseplant due to its resilience. Initially popularized as a houseplant in Taiwan during the 1980s, the money tree is significant among practitioners of feng shui due to the belief that it generates positive “chi” or energy.

Due to this, it has become a mainstay in workplaces, banks, and households. Typically, these plants are sold as miniature plants with a braided trunk consisting of three, five, or seven stems. Young trees are braided by nurseries and will continue to grow in this manner as they develop.

If you intend to plant the tree outside, you should start it from seed in the spring if you plan to do so at home. The trees grow rapidly both indoors and outdoors, reaching heights of 6-12 feet (1.8-3.6 m) within 10 years. Money trees can be propagated through stem cuttings taken from mature plants.

These cuttings can be rooted in water or soil and will typically produce a new tree within six months. Although they can reach heights of 60 feet in the wild, these plants grown indoors normally reach heights of 6 to 8 feet and can be cultivated as bonsai if you wish to keep them small.

The secret to growing a money tree inside is to provide it with sufficient water and light. The good news is that it is difficult to overwater money trees, making them excellent for folks who have a tendency to overwater their plants.

When cultivated outside, these plantsproduce beautiful yellowish-white blossoms, which are eventually succeeded by huge seed pods containing peanut-like nuts. However, the plant does not flower when kept indoors since it requires pollination, which is generally performed by bats in the wild.

Despite this, these plants can flourish and increase the positive energy in your home when given the correct care indoors. Additionally, research has shown that having plants in your house will have amazing benefits for you! Visit our article Amazing Psychological Effects of Nature in Pet-Friendly Interiors to find out more!

How to Care for Money Trees

Plants & Blooms Shop™ PB408 Money Tree, 5″, White Pot

Selecting the Best soil for my Money Tree Plant

Money trees are a popular plant to have in the home because they are known to bring their owner good luck. But did you know that the type of potting soil you use for your money tree can make a big difference in its health? The best potting soil for these plants is one that has good drainage and is rich in nutrients.

A mixture that contains peat moss is ideal, but a regular mixture of fast-draining soil, such as that used for cactuses or flowers, can also be used. If the soil has poor drainage, add sand or gravel to the mixture to improve drainage. By using the best potting soil for your money tree, you can help ensure that it remains healthy and thriving for years to come.

The Best light for my Money Tree Plant

Money trees, also called Pachira aquatica, are popular houseplants that are believed to bring good luck. They are relatively easy to care for, and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. When grown indoors, these plants require indirect light that ranges from bright to medium intensity for at least six hours each day.

Direct sunshine is fine for these plantswhen they are grown outside. Additionally, they will thrive when exposed to fluorescent light. Money trees prefer moist soil, but they will tolerate periods of drought. They should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season, and monthly during the winter. With proper care, money trees can reach a height of six feet or more.

How to Care for Money Trees

Money Tree, Live Indoor Plant in Tropico Leaf Ceramic Planter for Home

How to Water my Money Tree Plant

Money trees are a species of tropical wetland tree that is native to central and South America. They are often found in marshes, swamps, and floodplains. these plants get their name from the fact that their lush, green leaves are often used in Feng Shui practices to bring wealth and good luck.

One of the most important things to remember when caring for a money tree is that they require regular watering. The frequency of watering will depend on the time of year and the size of the pot. In general, these plants should be watered more frequently during the spring and summer months when they are actively growing.

During the fall and winter months, however, the frequency of watering should be decreased. It is also important to make sure that both the potting container and the soil have adequate drainage. Overwatering can cause root rot and quickly kill your plant.

How to Fertilize my Money Tree Plant

Any plant lover knows that fertilizer is essential for maintaining healthy growth. However, not all plants require the same amount of fertilizer, and the timing of fertilization can also vary. For example, money trees should be fertilized more frequently during the spring and summer months, when they are actively generating new leaves.

During the fall and winter months, fertilization can be reduced to every other month. In terms of application, the most effective method is to use a standard fertilizer mixture that has been diluted to one-half its original strength. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your money tree remains healthy and thrives for years to come.

How to Care for Money Trees

Money Tree, Live Indoor Plant in Tropico Leaf Ceramic Planter for Home

Best Temperature and Humidity for Money Tree Plants

If you want your money tree to thrive, it’s important to provide the plant with the ideal growing conditions. Money trees do best in moderate temperatures, with nighttime lows no cooler than 65 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime highs no warmer than 75 degrees.

They also require high humidity, so be sure to set your money tree on top of a pebble tray filled with water, spray the leaves regularly, or use a small space humidifier. These measures will help to keep the air around your money tree moist, which is essential for the plant’s health. With a little care, you can create an environment that is perfect for your money tree to flourish.

How to Propagate my Money Tree Plant

Anyone who has ever attempted to grow a money tree knows that they can be difficult to propagate. However, with a little patience and attention, it is possible to produce many new plants from a single tree. The best time of year to take stem cuttings for propagation is in the spring or summer, when the plant is actively growing.

Cuttings should be between 10 and 15 centimeters in length, and they should be placed in a container of water so that they can develop roots. After a few weeks, when the roots have grown to the appropriate size, the cuttings should be dipped in a rooting hormone and then placed in soil.

This process should be repeated until all of the desired plants have been propagated. Another approach for the propagation of these plants is known as air layering. This is a procedure that is little more difficult but typically results in superior plants. Air layering involves wounding the bark of the tree and then wrapping it with moist sphagnum moss.

The moss should then be wrapped with plastic to keep it moist and secure. After a period of several weeks, the roots will have developed enough to support the new plant, and it can be cut away from the parent tree and transplanted into soil.

How to Care for Money Trees

Costa Farms Money Tree Pachira, 16-Inches Tall

Common Pests and Diseases – Money Tree Plant

Any plant-lover will attest to the importance of keeping an eye out for pests. These tiny critters can cause a whole host of problems, from stunted growth to unsightly damage to the leaves. Unfortunately, money plants are especially vulnerable to pests, and mealybugs and scale are two of the most common culprits.

Mealybugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the sap of plants, causing them to weaken and eventually die. Scale are similarly destructive, as they attach themselves to the stems of plants and suck out the sap. If left unchecked, both of these pests can quickly kill a money tree.

However, there is hope! If you catch an infestation early, you can treat it with a gentle insecticide or horticultural oil, such as neem oil. With prompt treatment, your money tree should make a full recovery.

When should I repot my Money Tree Plant?

If you want your money tree to become large, you will need to repot it. The roots of money plants do not like to sit in water and can develop root rot if they are not provided with adequate drainage. If you want your money tree to remain a manageable size, one of the greatest things you can do is to keep it contained within a tiny container.

When selecting a planting container for your tree, you should always make sure that it has a sufficient number of drainage holes. Money trees are one of the most popular houseplants because they are easy to care for and can prosper in a wide range of environments. With proper care, your money tree can provide you with years of enjoyment.

How to Care for Money Trees

Costa Farms Money Tree Pachira, 16-Inches Tall

How to prune my Money Tree Plant

When it comes to taking care of your money tree, pruning is an essential component. Pruning the lower leaves of the plant on a regular basis can be helpful in encouraging new growth at the plant’s crown. This will also help to shape the plant into a bonsai or manage its overall size.

Money trees are known to be very resilient, so don’t be afraid to trim it back quite a bit. In fact, many experts recommend pruning money trees once every two to three years. With proper care and pruning, your money tree can thrive for years to come!

How to Care for Money Trees

Lively Root Money Tree, 6 inch in Grower Pot, Easy Care Live Indoor Plant,

Care for Money Trees – FAQ

Is care for a money tree hard?

No, care for a money tree is not hard. These plants are known to be very resilient and can prosper in a wide range of environments.

Why are they called Money Trees?

It gets its name from the Feng Shui belief that it will bring positive energy and good luck to the owner. 

What’s Money Tree’s natural habitat?

Originally from wetlands in South and Central America, your baby tree would be sheltered by mature trees in its native habitat—so don’t give it direct sunlight, which could cause sunburn.

What are the best lighting conditions for Money Trees?

They prefer bright, indirect light and moderate-to-high humidity. Sunlight can lead to leaf-scorching, but the plants can do relatively well in low light. 

Is money tree care easy?

Yes, money tree plant care is easy, as they are very resilient plants that can prosper in a wide range of environments.

Can I grow my money tree indoors?

Yes, you can grow your money tree indoors.

Can my money plant tolerate direct sunlight?

Money trees can tolerate direct sunlight, but indoors they should be placed in bright indirect light to medium light, for at least six hours a day.

How can I make my money trees thrive?

You can make your money plant thrive by giving it bright light and moderate-to-high humidity. Also, be sure to prune the lower leaves of the plant on a regular basis to encourage new growth.

How can I keep my Money tree in a proper humid environment?

This tropical plant will thrive if you provide proper humidity. To do so, use well-draining potting soil (add perlite and sand for drainage purposes), and place a pebble tray at the bottom of the pot.

 

How to Care for Money Trees

Hire an Online Interior Designer at Havenly

There are several online interior design websites, but Havenly is your best option to hire from a robust list of interior designers that will help you in decorating and creating the perfect dog-friendly home. 

When you sign up for Havenly, you will take a short quiz about your design style and what you are looking for in a designer. Havenly will then match you with a designer who will help you select paint colors, furniture, and accessories that are both stylish and safe for your furry friend.

In addition, your Havenly designer will be able to provide tips on how to create a space that is both comfortable for your dog and inviting for guests. With Havenly, creating a beautiful and functional home that your dog will love is easy and stress-free.

Click here if you want to learn more about Havenly or book an interior designer and get 25% off your design package if you click here!

Share your love!
M.Arch. Julio Arco
M.Arch. Julio Arco

Bachelor of Architecture - ITESM University
Master of Architecture - McGill University
Architecture in Urban Context Certificate - LDM University
Interior Designer - Havenly
Architecture Professor - ITESM University

Articles: 584
Available for Amazon Prime