This pet-friendly plant is as easy to grow as they come
Even if you don’t have much luck growing houseplants, a money tree—which is known for its braided trunk and star-shaped leaves—is sure to bring good fortune. No, it won’t make you rich, but in the right conditions, this plant practically takes care of itself.
It’s actually one of the best indoor houseplants for beginners (or anyone guilty of chronic plant neglect) because it’s so difficult to kill. This guide will show you how to care for a money tree, green thumb not required.
Money trees, also known as Pachira aquatica, are commonly used in Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of arranging living spaces to create balance with the natural world. They’re thought to be harbingers of luck and prosperity, partially because of the lore surrounding their origins.
The truth is that this plant wasn’t actually popular until the 1980s, when it was cultivated in Taiwan by a truck driver.
The money trees you find at your local nursery look a bit different in your home than what you’d find in the wild. This plant is actually native to Central and South America, where it grows up to 60 feet tall. That’s more than seven times the maximum 8-foot height a money plant grows indoors.
Beyond that, its signature twisty trunk is actually the handiwork of plant cultivators, who braid the soft green trunks of immature plants before they harden. As the folklore goes, the braided trunk is what helps trap good fortune inside your home.
Luckily, the money tree is also non-toxic to dogs, cats, and even horses, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
There are lots of gardening secrets that help your indoor plants thrive, but choosing the right type of soil and a suitable planter is the first step. For a money tree, well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil is ideal.
You can purchase peat moss-based soil from your local gardening center or mix sand and gravel into whatever potting soil you have on hand to increase the drainage.
You’ll also need a well-draining planter that’s 2 inches bigger than the nursery pot. If you’re a beginner, choose a terracotta pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. Terracotta is porous, which helps stave off root rot from over-saturated roots. This is one of the most common houseplant problems because containers don’t generally drain as well as regular soil on the ground.
Once you’ve potted your money tree, it’s time to start your care routine. Caring for a money tree is similar to caring for other indoor plants—especially tropical plants. Pay attention to light, water, temperature, and humidity. These steps will tell you everything you need to know.
Like most tropical houseplants, money trees thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid placing your pot in direct sunlight (i.e., an ultra-sunny window without sheer curtains) because it can scorch the leaves.
At a push, money trees can adjust to lower light. Just keep an eye out for slow growth and yellowing leaves, which could signal too little light.
Money trees require deep, infrequent watering. While some indoor gardeners prefer a watering schedule, circumstances can easily change with the weather.
Instead of watering every one to two weeks, the best course of action is to water your money plant when the top 2 to 4 inches of soil are dry. Always water your plant thoroughly until water starts dripping out of the pot’s drainage hole.
Money trees can survive in average household humidity, but they thrive with a little added moisture. You may need to make adjustments in dryer seasons or when you’re running forced air heating or air conditioning. Mist your plant regularly, and if the air is consistently dry, purchase a humidifier or put your plant on a pebble tray filled with water.
Only fertilize your money tree during the spring and summer when it starts popping out new leaves. This is the traditional growing season, though it can stretch a bit longer indoors than it will outside. Fertilize damp soil once a month with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer at half strength. Do not fertilize during the winter.
Money trees are pretty forgiving, but they still do best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s about a 10-degree window of leeway, but keep in mind that this plant does poorly around drafts. In a drafty area—particularly a heating vent with hot, dry air—your money tree may drop leaves.
Money trees are creatures of habit. They don’t like to be moved around. Once your plant is in a good spot, whether indoors or out, try to move it as little as possible. If you do need to relocate it, you may notice your plant dropping leaves. Don’t worry, though. It will recover.
The one exception is rotation. Money trees grow towards the sun, so your plant can become lopsided if you don’t rotate it once a month.
Money trees are woven by hand. If you want to maintain the look of the trunk, you’ll need to braid the stems as your plant grows. How do you know what you can braid? Look for the green. New stems are green and pliable. They turn brown and stiffen as they mature.
Keep in mind that braiding is for aesthetics. It does nothing for the health of your plant, though it isn’t harmful to the plant either. It’s just a matter of taste.
Money trees may look unique, but they suffer from the same common problems as other houseplants. Mainly, you may notice money tree leaves turning yellow or dropping at one point or another. This is normal to an extent. As leaves get older, they turn yellow and fall off. In other cases, it could signal one of the following issues.
Root rot is a deadly plant disease caused by poor drainage and over-watering. You’ll notice yellow leaves, but the real giveaway is brown and moldy-looking roots. If you overwater and root rot hasn’t yet taken hold, let the soil completely dry before watering again.
If there is visible root rot:
Remove the plant from the soil.
Cut off as much of the decaying roots as possible.
Rinse the rest of the roots with water.
Re-pot the plant in new soil.
Sometimes, a weakened money tree will develop a pest infestation. Spider mites, mealy bugs, and aphids are common. Remove as many of the visible pests from the plant as possible, then use an insecticide like neem oil. You can also fill a spray bottle with water and a drop of liquid dish detergent to make a DIY insecticide.
If your plant needs more moisture, you’ll notice yellowing leaves or foliage with crunchy brown edges. If you can’t move your plant to a bright, steamy bathroom, use a mister, humidifier, or pebble tray to increase the humidity.
If the upper leaves of your plant are yellowing or developing white spots, your money tree could have a sunburn. Move it away from direct sunlight and prune the damaged foliage.
Most people care for their money tree on their own. This is a forgiving plant, and it will recover from most missteps.
Nonetheless, you may want to hire a local gardener if your tree is suffering from an illness and won’t improve, or you’re going away for an extended vacation and need someone to water your plants.
Beyond that, you can actually propagate a money tree from a cutting, whether you obtain one from a friend or purchase one online. Most people still prefer to buy a plant from a plant nursery, where an expert can braid the stems.
On average, you should water your money tree every one to two weeks. Make sure the top 2 to 4 inches of soil are completely dry before watering.
If you’re growing a money tree indoors, aim for at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight. If your home doesn’t have enough natural light, supplement with grow lights.
In order to keep your money tree healthy, it requires:
A well-draining pot with well-draining soil
6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight
Fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Thorough watering when the top 2–4 inches of soil is dry
Additional humidity if the edges of the foliage start turning brown
An environment between 65–75 degrees Fahrenheit
You must also re-pot your plant as it grows, preferably before it’s rootbound (when the roots start wrapping themselves around each other in the shape of the pot).
Avoid areas of direct sunlight (like a sunny windowsill without sheer curtains) and areas with consistent drafts (like near a heating or air conditioning vent). You can boost your plant’s humidity by creating a plant room or DIY greenhouse. Just make sure you have bright, indirect light.
