A money tree plant can have been given to you as a wedding present, baptismal gift, birthday gift, or anniversary gift. The rumour says that if you faithfully care for the plant, you will flourish even though it doesn’t grow money.
It is renowned for bringing luck and good vibes. But maintaining its wellbeing requires more than just good fortune. Pachira aquatica is the scientific name for this tropical species, which originates from marshes in Central and South America.
Although it’s a reasonably common houseplant, Rick Pudwell, director of horticulture at Memphis Botanic Garden, notes that it’s not always simple to obtain in plant stores and nurseries.
Only zones 10–12 of the USDA Hardiness Zone Map are suitable for these plants’ outdoor winter hardiness. This implies that while it can be grown outside in Southern states like Florida and Hawaii, it must be grown indoors in the remainder of the country. According to Pudwell, the temperature cannot go below 50 degrees while growing indoors.
An old folktale about a poor man finding fortune by finding this tree and then selling its seeds gave rise to the term “money tree.” This plant is thought to bring luck to anyone who plant it in their house or place of business according to Feng Shui principles.
“I find the common name to be really appealing,” adds Pudwell. “I’d estimate that it requires about average maintenance for a tropical indoor plant.
Botanical Classification: Pachira aquatica
The Money Tree is the ideal foliage plant for creating a tropical ambiance indoors. It resembles both a tree and a palm thanks to its braided stalk and vibrant green foliage. The Money Tree, a native of Mexico and northern South America, is also well-known in Taiwan and other East Asian nations.
The Money Tree’s name comes from the Feng Shui idea that its owner will benefit from its positive energy and luck.
A fun fact
According to some reports, the Money Tree may help with sleep difficulties and may even lessen tension and anxiety.
Where should a money tree be placed?
Consider it for a second before you buy a money tree, fingers crossed!
It might develop from the tiny, tabletop-sized plant you bought into a fully grown tree that is six to eight feet tall. You have time to make the necessary preparations for a huge plant, but if the area is tiny and you intend to keep the plant for a long time, you could choose to go for a small money tree.
Put your money tree in a location with lots of bright, indirect light, such as a south or west-facing window, but be careful to keep it away from direct sunlight because it might burn the leaves. Money trees are sensitive to movement and other abrupt changes in the environment, just like their fellow tall houseplants, fiddle leaf figs. Pick a location away from chilly draughts because they can induce leaf drop. During the winter months, it’s also a good idea to keep them away from the hot, blowing air of your ventilation system.
Moderate to high humidity is ideal for money tree growth. Although it would not be the best location for a money tree in terms of feng shui, your bathroom is actually a terrific place for the plant. Your shower or bathtub’s added heat and steam simulate the plant’s natural environment.
Keep a humidity tray underneath the plant if you decide to install your money tree anywhere other than a bathroom. To accomplish this, place a layer of small pebbles in a shallow tray that is larger than your pot, and then fill the tray with water until the waterline is just below the pebbles’ tops. Make sure the container’s bottom doesn’t come into contact with the water before setting the plant in it on top. The air around your plant will become more humid when water evaporation takes place. Make careful to fill the tray with water on a regular basis.
Except for pruning a specimen that has outgrown your space or if a part of the plant is injured, pruning your money tree is rarely necessary. It is possible to grow new plants from healthy cuttings that have a few leaf nodes.
To stop illness from spreading after removing damaged roots, clean your blade with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol.
Is it okay to put my money plant outside?
As long as it’s warm enough outside, you can plant money trees. Just be sure to bring it inside again before it drops below 40 degrees F.
Money trees can thrive in the sun or the shade outside. But be particularly careful to carefully transition it from growing inside to growing in direct sunlight outside, or the leaves will burn.
Make sure it’s in a pot with drainage holes if you wish to plant it outside so that it won’t drown in rainwater.
Can I grow a money plant outdoors?
Plantations, in accordance with vastu, aid in preserving prosperity in your home. Many people engage in plantations to solve their financial issues.
According to vastu, a few factors should be taken into account when planting the money plant in order to avoid financial losses. Let’s investigate what these elements are.
Most money plants are planted at homes or workplaces. The plants are not only attractive in your home, but they are also simple to grow. This plant doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. It can be stored in any type of bottle or flower container. Plantations, in accordance with vastu, aid in preserving prosperity in your home. Many people engage in plantations to solve their financial issues. The care of a money plant is thought to aid in success and riches. Let’s discuss the factors that should be taken into account when growing a money plant.
1. Avoid planting this way.
The right orientation should always be chosen while planting money plants. Don’t ever plant it towards northeast. It is stated that moving the money plant in this way will result in losses for the investor. In addition to this, the level of negativity in the house has increased. Always maintain your money plants towards south-east. The deity Lord Ganesha, who stands for wellbeing and prosperity, is one who moves in this path (Mangal). Planting in this direction will bring benefits.
2. Avoid letting the money plant touch the ground.
Money plant expands quickly. Make sure the plant’s vines don’t touch the ground as a result. Its vines must be supported by a rope so that it can climb up. Growing vines are a symbol of expansion and prosperity in vastu. Money plants should not touch the ground because they are thought to be a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi.
3. Keep the money plant moist.
A dried money plant is a representation of bad luck in vastu. Your home’s financial situation is impacted. To prevent this, keep regularly watering the money plant. Cut and get rid of the leaves if they start to dry up.
4. Avoid leaving the cash plant outside the house.
The money plant should always be kept inside the house. This plant should be grown inside because it doesn’t require much sunshine. The money plant should not be planted outside the house, according to vastu. It doesn’t grow and is quickly dried by the weather outside. The plant’s stunted development is unlucky. It turns becomes a justification for a lack of money.
5. Avoid giving strangers money plants.
Money plants should never be handed to others, according to vastu. It is purported that it enrages Venus. Venus is a representation of wealth and health. The benefits are removed when this is done.
Do cash trees require sunlight?
The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica), one of the most recognisable indoor plants, with a striking five-leaf design, bright green colouring, and a peculiar braided trunk. The Malabar Chestnut, often known as the Money Tree, is a tree native to Mexico and South America that may reach heights of 60 feet, despite the fact that we utilise it as an indoor potted plant. (Don’t worry, the money tree in your pot won’t grow as tall.)
All year long, we adore these luscious indoor plants, but Chinese New Year is a particularly lucky time to have them! These plants are said to bring luck and wealth in the new year if you keep one in your house or give them as gifts. (They welcome pets as well.) We are here to provide you with all the advice you require to maintain your money tree and keep your good fortune blossoming.
Top 5 Tips for Growing Money Trees
Probably the most important query you have is if your Money Tree will genuinely produce fifty dollar bills. Sorry to disappoint you everybody, but no matter how diligently you water and fertilise your plant, it will only produce beautiful foliage rather than cash. But that’s enough for us!
#1Light it Up in So Many Ways
Fortunately, the Money Tree has simple lighting requirements and is incredibly location-flexible! Bright light is what your plant needs, but avoid direct sunshine. Its leaves appreciate a bright window with a south or east facing view, but they will scorch in the heat of the sun.
Its capacity to flourish under fluorescent lighting also astounds us, making it the ideal tropical plant for the workplace! (Especially given the favourable reputation of The Money Tree)
#2Give it a Permanent Home
The Money Tree is unquestionably not a nomad and adores a secure setting. The plant will probably drop all of its leaves in protest if you move it (once it is established in a spot that meets its demands)! Although they will grow back, for a while the tree will remain naked. Keep the temperature between 16 and 26 °C (65 and 80 °F) and keep any hot or cold draughts at a minimum.
#3Hydrate and Forget About it
Water the Malabar Chestnut thoroughly, letting the water run out of the drainage holes in the bottom of your container because this tree enjoys chugging water. But once the soil has been moistened, you should let it alone! Before you re-water your Money Tree, let it dry out (at least the top two to four inches of soil). If left wet over an extended period of time, its roots will decay.
#4Keep it Well Fed
Feed your Money Tree regularly. The plant quickly exhausts the nutrients in the soil as it grows taller with more leaves. You must provide additional nutrition to maintain the health and happiness of your indoor plants. Every time you water, apply a balanced fertiliser at half strength to the money tree. The simplest fertiliser to use, particularly for smaller pots, is liquid or water soluble fertiliser. You can skip feeding your plant during the cold months.
#5Don’t Let Your Luck Evaporate!
This plant is native to Mexico and South America, where the humidity levels are much higher than those we typically experience in our homes and workplaces. The Money Tree enjoys being misted every day for this reason. Try putting the pot in a tray with pebbles and water if you don’t want to make this a regular occurrence. More humidity will be added to the air as it evaporations.
The Money Tree is a low-maintenance home plant that is sure to become a favourite. Over the next months and years, it will pay you back in green dividends (floral growth, not cash). I’m sending you plenty of luck and good fortune!
For your Money Tree, save and print our simple maintenance guide! Simply right-click the image to the right to save it.
How is a money tree cared for indoors?
Money tree plants prefer a combination of direct and indirect sunlight, according to ProFlowers. The leaves of most indoor plants can become scorched by too direct sunlight. Turn or rotate your money tree frequently for more uniform light dispersal to obtain the optimum balance. Just be careful not to disrupt it too much by moving it about a lot. Another important point? You’re safe to maintain a money tree in your office as long as you give it the care it needs because they can withstand fluorescent lighting.
How often should a money tree be watered?
Your money tree plant only needs about 6-8 ounces of water every three weeks, unlike orchids and the majority of other indoor plants, according to our growing specialists.
We advise watering it every week with two ice cubes (3 tablespoons of water), as this is much simpler to remember. You can double up if you skip a week, but don’t go overboard. Your plant’s roots and leaves will stretch out if it receives too much water, which could result in brown leaves.
Check to see if your money tree plant has a reliable drainage system as well. By doing this, the roots won’t decay. Our grower pots are made with an elevated bottom that is integrated right into the design, preventing the roots from sitting in water.
Where in the house should money plants be kept?
a. The East, South, North, and South-East are the best directions to place the money plant in the bedroom. Please stay away from the west and south-west directions entirely, as mentioned above.
b. Carbon dioxide can be released by money plants at night. Therefore, it is best to position the plant five feet away from your bed.
c. The amount of humidity in the space should be ideal. Long-term use of the air conditioning system can harm the money plant.
d. If you choose to grow your money plant in soil rather than water, make sure there is enough space for the roots to stretch out and flourish.
Vastu Shastra places a lot of importance on the money plant since it may elevate your mood, increase your creativity, relieve tension, and increase your enthusiasm. To get the most out of them, you should strictly adhere to these Vastu recommendations. Placing the money plant in your bedroom might improve your mood by calming your thoughts and making your eyes feel better.
What size can a money tree grow to?
Even if it doesn’t make you wealthy, taking care of this tropical plant will be quite successful for you.
- Plant in a potting mix that drains properly.
- Place far from vents and draughty locations under indirect light that is bright.
- Water deeply, but let the soil dry out in between applications.
- During the spring and summer, feed frequently.
- If necessary, prune it to maintain the bonsai plant shape.
- To give it its distinctive appearance, braid it from the bottom up.
The money tree, Pachira aquatica, is perhaps best known to you as that cool houseplant with the braided trunk and gleaming green leaves, but it actually originates from marshy areas of Central and South America where it can reach heights of up to 60 feet. Find out more about this fascinating tropical plant before you make a hole in your ceiling in the name of riches.
A money tree can be grown indoors and maintained as a bonsai plant by routine pruning or by allowing it to reach its maximum height of roughly 8 feet. There are a few additional names for money tree, such as water chestnut and Guiana chestnut. Feng shui, which contends that these plants bring their owner good fortune when placed strategically within the home, is where it gets its moniker “money plant.” While we’re sorry, we can’t guarantee that (but with the correct care, you’ll at least have a flourishing houseplant).