Money trees (Pachira aquatica) are surprisingly easy to grow, and make excellent houseplants. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about proper money tree care, and how to troubleshoot common problems.
Known for their braided trunks, and delicate looking umbrella shaped leaves, money tree plants are very popular. They look like they’d be fussy and difficult to grow, but they’re actually pretty easy.
These lovely plants flourish with the proper care, and can grow to become large trees. They’re a great choice for beginners and experts alike!
Plus, if you want to try your hand at bonsai, Pachira aquatica is the perfect specimen to start with. In this detailed growing guide, I will tell you all about how to care for a money tree plant.
Table of Contents
Money Tree Quick Care Overview
| Scientific name: | Pachira aquatica |
| Classification: | Tropical plant |
| Common names: | Money Tree, Malabar Chestnut |
| Hardiness: | Zones 10+ |
| Temperature: | 60-85°F |
| Flowers: | White, blooms in later winter / early spring |
| Light: | Partial shade, bright light indoors |
| Water: | Keep soil evenly moist, do not overwater |
| Humidity: | High |
| Fertilizer: | General purpose plant food spring-summer |
| Soil: | Fast-draining, fertile soil |
| Common pests: | Whiteflies, aphids |
Information About Money Tree Plants
People often call this a “money plant”. But there are a few different plants that have that same common name. So let’s first make sure that you and I are talking about the same one here
This article is all about how to care for a money tree (Pachira aquatica). If you’re looking for information on a different plant, then check out the list below. Otherwise, keep reading!
- Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
- Jade Plant (Crassula)
- Pothos Plant (Epipremnum aureum), aka Devil’s Ivy
Pachira Money Tree Plant Meaning
No, money trees don’t grow actual currency (wouldn’t that be nice!), but there is meaning behind the name.
Pachira aquatica got the nickname because they have a reputation for bringing luck and good fortune to their owners. This is one of the main reasons why I think they are the perfect office plant!
Maybe you’ve never heard the name, but you might recognize a money tree because it’s one of the most popular braided tree trunk plants.
Money Tree Benefits
As I already mentioned, benefits of money tree plants include bringing you good luck and financial prosperity.
They are also very popular in Feng Shui, because they are said to bring positive energy into the room where they’re growing. They’re commonly given as gifts for all of these reasons.
I’m not sure how they got such an amazing reputation, but I’m thinking about growing a lucky money tree plant in every room of my house!
Can A Money Tree Go Outside?
Yes, you can grow money trees outside as long as the weather is warm enough. Just be sure you bring it back inside before the temperature gets below 40 degrees F.
Outdoors, money trees can grow anywhere from sun to shade. But take extra care to gradually move it from the house to growing in full sun outside, or the leaves will burn.
If you decide to put it outdoors, then be sure that it’s in a pot with drainage holes so that it won’t drown when it rains.
Pachira Money Tree Care & Growing Instructions
Though they are pretty easy to grow, they do have some fairly specific requirements that need to be met in order to thrive. Follow these money tree plant care instructions for the best results.
Watering A Money Tree Plant
One of the key factors to successful money tree care is proper watering. They like water, but won’t tolerate wet feet for very long. Consistent over watering will cause root rot, and eventually kill the plant.
Check on them every week or two to see how wet the soil is. Allow it to dry slightly between waterings, but don’t let it dry out completely.
When it’s time to water, give it a good drink, and let the excess drain from the holes in the bottom of the pot. Make sure to empty the cache pot or drip tray so that the container is never sitting in water.
Money trees don’t need as much moisture during the winter as they do in the summer, so you can let them dry out a bit more.
If you have a hard time giving them the correct amount of water, I recommend buying a moisture gauge to help you get it right every time.
Humidity Requirements
Another important part of successful money tree care is humidity, which is especially critical during the winter months.
Heating our homes sucks the humidity out of the air, and that can be pretty tough on these sensitive tropical plants.
There are a couple of ways to increase the humidity level around your money tree. Try running a humidifier near it, or put it on a pebble tray filled with water (don’t allow it to sit in the water though).
You could even add a decorative element by growing a money tree in a small plant cloche, or put a few of them in a mini indoor greenhouse.
To help you maintain the proper humidity level, keep an indoor air moisture monitor nearby.
Money Tree Light Requirements
One of the reasons growing money trees indoors is so easy is because they aren’t super picky about lighting.
They will actually suffer if they get too much sun. Direct sunlight can burn their leaves, so keep it out of that south facing window.
They prefer bright, indirect sun. But they will adapt to lower light conditions indoors, especially during the winter.
Repotting Your Money Tree
Plan to repot them every few years as a part of your regular money tree care routine. The best time to do it is spring or early summer.
When the time comes for repotting your money tree plant, make sure you choose the right sized container. Don’t use one that is too large, because that can cause issues with overwatering and root rot.
Money trees can be grown in very small pots, especially if you want to keep their size manageable. So choose a pot that’s only slightly larger than the one it was growing in before.
Related Post: How To Repot Plants: A Helpful Illustrated Guide
Best Potting Soil For Money Tree Plant
A general purpose potting soil will work fine for growing money trees. But, they will do best in a fast draining mix that also retains moisture.
To get the best mix, you can add a few things to it. Add peat moss or vermiculite to help it retain moisture, and perlite or pumice to make it drain faster.
If you don’t want to fuss with all of that, you can’t go wrong if you repot them using a bonsai potting mix.
Learn all you need to know in my complete guide to the best type of soil here, and get my recipe to make your own too.
Best Fertilizer For Money Trees
As part of your regular money tree care routine, you can feed them using a half dose of liquid houseplant fertilizer every couple of weeks during the spring and summer.
Stop fertilizing in early fall, and don’t feed your plant at all during the winter. Money trees can be sensitive to synthetic chemicals, so I recommend using organic products only.
An organic compost fertilizer, which you can get in liquid form or buy tea bags to brew your own, will work great.
Other organic options, like this indoor plant food, would also work for money tree plants. If you find it easier, you could use bonsai pellets instead of liquids.
Pest Control
Insects aren’t normally an issue for healthy money tree plants, but whiteflies and aphids can sometimes invade. If you discover a bug infestation, begin treatment immediately.
Neem oil, which is a natural pesticide, is my top choice for getting rid of bugs on the leaves. But horticultural oil works great too.
I also like to use a mixture of 1 tsp mild liquid soap per 1 liter of water, then spray it on the leaves to kill the bugs. Or you can get a premixed insecticidal soap.
Use a yellow sticky trap to help control flying insect pests until you’re able to get rid of them for good.
How To Prune A Money Tree
In general they don’t need to be trimmed, but regular pruning will keep your money tree plant smaller.
New leaves grow back quickly, which is one reason why this plant is so appealing for bonsai.
To prune them, you can pinch or trim off the tips of the new growth. This also encourages branching to make it more shapely. Use bonsai shears or a micro-tip snip for precision cuts.
It’s best to prune money trees in the spring or summer. You don’t really want to encourage new growth while the plant is resting during the winter.
Troubleshooting Money Tree Care Problems
Overwatering and leaf drop are two of the most common money tree care problems that people tend to have. Here’s how to troubleshoot the symptoms, and what to do about it.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing leaves usually means you’re watering too much, and your money tree is in danger of being overwatered. Allow the soil to dry more between waterings.
Leaves Turning Brown
Lack of humidity is usually what causes brown leaves. Raise the humidity level around the plant, and make sure it’s getting enough water.
They are also sensitive to sudden temperature changes, and can suffer when exposed to hot or cold drafts. So keep them away from heat vents and drafty areas.
Money Tree Dropping Leaves
Money trees are a bit fussy about their location, and don’t like to be moved around. If you move them too much, the leaves will start dropping.
So keep it where it is, and try not to move it. If you just brought the plant home, give it plenty of time to adjust.
Growing money trees is fun and rewarding. I’m not sure if it will actually bring you all of the benefits that I mentioned above, but it can’t hurt to try. Just be sure to follow these money tree care instructions, and you’l be good to go.
Do you struggle to keep your houseplants thriving during the long winter months? My Winter Houseplant Care eBook is perfect for you! It has everything you need to know to keep your indoor plants growing their best all year long. Download your copy today!
More About Different Houseplant Types
- How To Care For Sago Palm Trees (Cycas revoluta)
- How To Care For Rubber Plants: The Ultimate Guide
- How To Care For Alocasia Plants
- How To Care For African Mask Plants
- How To Care For A Peace Lily Plant
- How To Care For Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant (Ficus lyrata)
Share your money tree care tips in the comments below.
Bernard Murray says
If I make a cutting and put it in water, will it begin to root enough to put it soil eventually?
Amy Andrychowicz says
While money tree stem cuttings can root in water, it’s not always the most successful method. It’s better to root them in a moist medium rather than in water. But if you have extras or want to give it a try to see if it will work for you, it’s a fun experiment.
VICKI L HOMAN says
My money tree plant is in a pot that you water from the bottom. Not sure if that is a good choice? Also, the leaves are curling up, and feel a little dry. Any advice?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Watering from the bottom can make it difficult to tell how much your money tree is getting. That’s because the bottom of the soil and roots could be wet, while the top feels dry. So, many times people end up overwatering. In your case, dried and curling leaves is usually a sign of lack of humidity/moisture. So, I would start watering from the top instead so you can monitor it more closely. Let the very top of the soil dry down to 1″, then give it a deep drink, allowing the excess to completely drain from the pot. The soil moisture gauge that I linked to above will help you determine when it needs more water. Curling/dried leaves can also be a sign of a spider mite infestation, so make sure to inspect the leaves to rule that out too.
Mary F Healy says
My money tree was given to me as a gift. It does not have a braided trunk. Is that ok. It has new growth but the lower leaves are wrinkled. Do I prune them???
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, money trees don’t need to be braided, it has no benefit to them. If the lower leaves otherwise look healthy, then there’s no need to prune them.
monica khosla says
My money tree keeps dropping green healthy leaves, the last one just fell and now it’s just the trunk left. Any tips on what to do will be really helpful. Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Have you moved it recently? Money trees are very fussy, and don’t like to be moved. It’s very common for the leaves to drop off when you first bring the plant home, or if you move it to a new location. Normally, they will recover after a few weeks of being left in the same place.
Rose says
Can you start a new plant replanting the leaves?
Amy Andrychowicz says
No, you can’t propagate money tree leaves like that. But you could try taking hardwood cuttings and rooting those.
Darlene says
Thanks for all the advice my daughter just bought me a money tree for my birthday and I’ve never tried growing one before so all the information I can use will be helpful again thank you
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re very welcome! Good luck with your new money tree. 🙂
Jennifer says
I need help with my money tree. When I bought it, the truck is nice firm and plump. After a couple months, the trunk has shrink. Check the roots, no sign of root rot. I water the plant with 2 ice cubes a week.
But now the plant to showing droopy leaves. Soil is dry. Trunk is not plump as when I first bought it. What is going on?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It sounds to me like you may be under watering your money tree. If the soil is dry, the leaves are drooping, and the stem is shriveling then try giving it a bit more water. Also, if it’s been in the same pot a very long time, it might be pot-bound so the soil won’t hold water anymore. If that’s the case, then you can repot it into a slightly larger container.
Portia Johnson says
Hello, my money plant’s leaves are turning brown I get direct sunlight in the morning, and have the plant there I usually water it once a week . The sunlight is filtered through sheer curtain. I love the look of the plant please help
Amy Andrychowicz says
When money plant leaves turn brown, it’s usually caused by lack of humidity (see the “Money Tree Plant Humidity Requirements” section above for more details). But, if you have it right next to a drafty window, and you live in a place where it freezes in winter, then it could be getting too cold. Here’s more info about that…
Lucia says
My money tree has a white sticky gluey gel coming out of the spine of the back of the leaves. What is it and is it normal for the plant? I can send you a picture of the sticky white substance if you give me an email address to send it to.
Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
The first thing I would do is check for bugs. A white, sticky excretion makes me think of meaylbugs, but it could be some other kind of pest infestation. Take a close look at the leaves to see if there is a cotton-like substance, dark bumps (scale), or other signs that your money tree has bugs. Otherwise, if your plant looks healthy, it could just be guttation, which is common in plants, and nothing to worry about. (fingers crossed that it’s the latter!)
Pamela Baldwin says
My money tree is growing tall and it’s starting to bend over what should I do
Amy Andrychowicz says
When money trees grow tall and skinny like that, it means they need more light. Move it to a brighter location. You can trim back the scraggly growth, then prune it regularly to help keep it compact and shapely.