We all love money right? Money may not grow on trees, but the money tree plant, according to legend, brings good fortune and positive energy. Learn how to take care of this easy-to-grow beauty. All tips of Money Tree Plant and how to grow and care for it
Have you ever wanted to own a money tree? Get a money tree plant to make your dream come true! This tropical beauty may not produce dollar bills, but it is easy to find at local garden centers or online. It’s even easier to cultivate, thriving both indoors and outdoors.
Money tree plant is also known as Malabar chestnut, saba nut, Bombax glabrum, monguba, and French peanut. It is said to bring good luck and is a popular plant for feng shui purposes.
The money tree is a must-have indoor plant, with its shiny, hand-shaped leaves and pretty braided trunks. It has a lush appearance in any setting. Learn everything you need to know to ensure the success of your money tree plant.
Ways to Care for Money Tree Plant
Money tree is a tropical plant that is native to Central and South America. It grows best in marshy wetlands with plenty of moisture and high humidity. You’ll get the best results indoors if you can mimic those natural growing conditions. You need the following to care for your money tree plant.
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Water
- Humility
- Fertilizer
Temperature
Temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for growing a money tree. Indoors, keep your plant away from drafts, such as an exterior door or a heating/cooling vent.
If you’re growing it outside, it’s hardy in Zones 10 to 11. When the temperature drops into the upper 40s, it’s time to bring your plant inside or protect it as much as possible from the chill.
Sunlight
Place your money tree plant in a bright, indirect light source in a typical indoor setting. That means near a sunny window with plenty of natural light for your plant.
Too much sunlight can cause leaf burn, resulting in brown patches. When there isn’t enough light, the leaves turn yellow. Remember to rotate your plant a little every time you water it to keep growth even and away from the light.
Water
If you have a habit of overwatering houseplants, a money tree plant is a good choice because it prefers moist soil. Pachira aquatica is the botanical name.
The species name “aquatica” suggests the type of moisture that this plant prefers. When growing it indoors, however, you must avoid overwatering, which can kill the plant. Don’t leave it in water for too long, especially overnight. Allowing the soil to dry before watering again is the best way to water a money tree plant indoors.
Humidity
High humidity is beneficial to money tree plants. To help raise the humidity around your plant indoors, use a humidifier, a pebble tray filled with water, or misting.
Fertilizer
To feed your money tree, use a regular houseplant fertilizer. To get the right amount of plant food, follow the fertilizer instructions. You can feed your money tree plant as little as twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer. Fertilizing should be avoided in all but the warmest zones during the winter.
Braided Trunks
It’s not uncommon to see several money tree plants in the same pot, their trunks braided together. This has no negative impact on the plants. Some growers believe that the braid helps to “lock in” the good fortune of the money tree.
Trunks that have been braided continue to grow in that configuration. Any branches that sprout or threaten to deform the braid can always be pruned away. The trunks of the tree become fatter and fuse together as it ages, resulting in a striking plant.
Common problems with Braided Money Trees
Growing money tree plant should be relatively easy for the most part. It is truly simple to grow. However, if you do experience problems, it is most likely due to the leaves.
Yellow leaves
If the leaves on your Money Tree turn yellow, this could be a sign of overwatering. Yellowish or pale leaves may also indicate too much or too little light. While Money Trees prefer bright or medium indirect light, too much or too little light can cause leaf paling.
Before you diagnose, know that you can easily remove any yellow leaves by plucking them off or cutting at the stem’s base. Then, inspect the soil and, if it is wet to the touch (especially at the bottom), allow it to dry completely before watering again. Overwatering can cause more serious problems, which may necessitate changing the soil.
Wrinkly Or Curling Leaves
If your Money Tree’s leaves are wrinkled or curling, this is usually a sign of overwatering or dry conditions. Water your plant on a regular basis, and if your home or office is extremely dry, mist it occasionally to increase humidity levels.
Holes In Leaves
If your Money Tree’s leaves have holes in them, this could be a sign of underwatering or pest damage. Examine the plant carefully for pests and, as a precaution, spray it with neem oil on a regular basis.
Dropping leaves
Dropping leaves is common when a plant is overwatered or exposed to cold temperatures. Plants usually recover from either condition once the underlying issue is resolved.
How to maintain Braided Money Tree
Pruning
Pruning a tree Dry or dead leaves should be removed all year, but major pruning should be done in the spring and summer.
When pruning your Money Tree, take a step back and examine the overall shape of the canopy to determine which branches to remove to restore an even, balanced shape. Cut any excess growth at the stem’s base with sharp, clean shears.
Repotting
Replanting Houseplants grow at a much slower rate than they would in nature. This should be done every couple of years, depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.
Money Tree types
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is one of two auspicious plants recommended by Feng Shui. Twisting the money tree stems to braid them, according to Chinese Feng Shui practitioners, helps to create positive energy and promote financial success. It is said that the best place to plant money plants is near a door to attract prosperity or in areas where financial work is done.
The species of jade plant Crassula ovata is another Feng Shui money plant that is thought to increase financial prosperity. This “lucky plant,” also known as the money tree, is a type of succulent. The jade plant is distinguished by its coin-shaped leaves (hence its association with wealth), thick woody stems, and shrub-like appearance.