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 should a money tree indoor plant be cared for?
Since few places in the United States replicate the tree’s natural habitat, money trees need active maintenance. As a houseplant or outdoor plant, give the tree the following to ensure its success:
- 1. Bright indirect light: Although a money tree requires regular illumination, direct sunshine will burn the foliage. Create an atmosphere in your home for it that is similar to how it normally develops, which is in the partial shade beneath the canopies of other trees. This could entail keeping the money tree indoors or placing it outside in a somewhat shaded area. Although it can still live in low light, the money tree will grow more slowly and produce fewer new growths.
- 2. High humidity: The money tree requires moisture in a similar way to how it requires filtered light. Keeping the plant in a room with a humidifier will do this for you. Misting the plant is a terrific technique to maintain its environment damp and its leaves clean.
- 3.Relatively dry roots: Although money trees need moist leaves, their roots shouldn’t be submerged in water. Pick a planter that has drainage holes. Use well-draining potting soil when potting the plant; add perlite and sand for drainage; and insert a pebble tray at the bottom of the pot. By doing this, the plant is shielded from becoming wet and developing root rot. Make adequate drainage a priority because overwatering is more harmful than underwatering.
- 4. Fertile soil: A potting mix with peat moss and fertilizer can be used to start your money tree. Once a month during the growing season, add liquid fertilizer. Fertilizing should be postponed during the winter.
How often should a money tree be watered inside?
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.
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.
Do money trees kept inside require sunlight?
The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica), one of the most recognizable indoor plants, with a striking five-leaf design, bright green coloring, 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 utilize 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 fertilize 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 favorable 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 drafts 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 fertilizer at half strength to the money tree. The simplest fertilizer to use, particularly for smaller pots, is liquid or water soluble fertilizer. 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 favorite. 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.
Where in my home should I put a money tree?
One of the simplest trees to cultivate inside is Pachira aquatica, most commonly known as the money tree plant. This tropical tree is frequently used to provide some green to homes, workplaces, lobbies, dining establishments, and other public areas. A money tree has hand-shaped leaves and is a low-maintenance, pet-friendly plant. It is indigenous to Central America and grows enormous, green pods with tasty, chestnut-like seeds within.
Although money trees can reach heights of up to 60 feet in the wild, they can also be preserved as bonsai trees or small indoor trees that only reach heights of up to eight feet. Although the two species have different fruits and flowers, a closely related species known as the Pachiraglabra, or saba tree, is frequently offered for sale as a money tree. Although it is doubtful that a money tree planted as a houseplant would bloom, you can still appreciate its large, hand-shaped leaves indoors.
You’ll find that multiple plants are frequently marketed growing together in a braid when looking for a money tree. When the young plants’ stems are still green or no broader than a half-inch across, which are thicker at the bottom to help conserve water, this is done.
When placed in the southeast corner of your home or the area connected with money, money trees—a popular indoor plant in feng shui—are believed to bring good financial fortune. According to feng shui, it’s unlucky to put a money tree in your bathroom since its energizing vitality can be sapped. To find out how to raise and take care of your money tree, keep reading.
Where should a money tree be placed?
According to conventional feng shui concepts, your home or workplace should be located in the southeast “money region This area is not just the most noticeable money tree location, but it is also regarded as the richest.
Your home’s East side is referred to as the “The traditional feng shui bagua area for health and family. When this area includes wood features, like plants, it should be more powerful. Accordingly, your money tree can serve as a source of both prosperity and health in this area.
How can one tell if a money tree is in good health?
After turning yellow, leaves begin to brown as they start to dry up and eventually fall off the plant. Check the soil’s moisture if you find that your plant’s leaves are starting to look brown, usually initially on the ends. If you can feel dryness in the top inch, you should water your money tree.
The leaves on your money tree will completely turn brown if you don’t water it for a long enough period of time, and they might even start to fall off the plant. As it is a significant stressor for the plant, try to avoid doing this. The color of the money tree’s leaves should be a lush, brilliant green. Any more hues are a bad omen.
Brown or yellow leaves may indicate further issues. Check out this post to determine the health of your Money Tree if you don’t think you have a watering problem.
How can you tell whether your money tree is on its way out?
- Symptoms. Yellow leaves that gradually wilt or droop and may even fall off.
- Causes. The soil has been moist for too long, the pot is too tiny, and the roots have used up all of the nutrients that are still accessible. These factors limit root respiration, which could lead to root rot.
Typically, too much moisture in the soil causes money tree leaves to become yellow. Money trees can withstand damp soil for extended periods of time, but if the soil is saturated, oxygen is blocked from the soil, which limits root respiration, which results in the yellowing and dropping off of the money tree’s leaves.
Overwatering
The most frequent reason of leaf drop in Money Trees is overwatering, thus this should be your first thought if you notice leaf drop. Overwatering results in damp soil, which puts your plant’s roots under a lot of stress, eventually causing root rot and death.
Your money tree will respond by losing leaves since it is unable to collect water and nutrients from the damaged roots to support the foliage.
It seems strange that water, which is necessary for your Money Tree’s healthy growth, could also harm your plant, but as the saying goes, everything in moderation.
How To Know If Overwatering Is Causing Your Money Tree To Lose Leaves
Watering too frequently may not always result in overwatering. An overwatering issue can result from any source that keeps the soil moist or causes inadequate root aeration. The following are indications that your money tree is losing leaves as a result of overwatering.
Why are my money tree’s leaves falling off?
In order to thrive, money tree plants require frequent watering, sufficient drainage, inconspicuous sunshine, and consistent temperatures. Any of these components not present may result in leaf loss.
Too much or too little water
Very little water is required for a 5-inch money tree plant. only three teaspoons of water or two ice cubes once every week.
You can make sure your money tree is getting the appropriate amount of water by using the ice cube watering technique. Your leaf loss may be a result of poor drainage, assuming you are watering yours regularly and not overwatering or underwatering.
To avoid standing water, which can result in root rot or soggy or dead trunks, keep your money tree in a container with an elevated bottom that is integrated into the pot. Use potting material that allows for good drainage as well.
Too much direct sunlight
Money tree plants’ leaves can become burned and lose their leaves if they receive too much direct sunshine.
During the summer, place your money tree plant close to a south-facing window; in the winter, move it to an east window. Once a week, rotate it 90 degrees to make sure it gets the proper amount of light for uniform growth.
Temperature fluctuations
The money tree plant thrives best in a roomy environment. Place it away from vents for heating or cooling or outside if the temperature is predicted to fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Light
It tolerates medium light levels, like the majority of tropical plants that adapt to indoor culture, but prefers to be next to a window, according to him. “You should put it indoors close to a window with good lighting, but not in direct sunlight all day. Go with indirect light instead of direct sunlight to avoid damaging it. You want your Pachira aquatica to have fresh growth and green leaves as it is an indoor plant. It’s never a good idea to have too much of anything, whether it’s water, light, heat, or any other factor.
Watering
Money trees require high humidity, so it’s a good idea to spritz them every day with water that’s room temperature. As long as it has enough light, placing it near a bathroom or kitchen where water is frequently used is a smart idea. He adds that a periodic warm water shower will maintain the foliage clean and help lower the possibility of bugs becoming established.
Amount of water? He advises that the optimum irrigation technique is to stick your finger in the pot all the way up to your first knuckle. If it appears to be dry, wet the entire pot’s surface until water drips onto the saucer beneath the pot. Drain the saucer if it doesn’t absorb the water again after about an hour. Long-term immersion in water can lead to root rot. Additionally, it can suffer from being overwatered.
Use a humidifier to keep your money plant moist, especially during the dry winter months.
Fertilizing
Use a water-soluble house plant food at half the recommended strength for fertilizing. From March through October, when watering, apply the liquid fertilizer once a month. Since the days are short and dark throughout the winter, fertilizing during this time may result in poor, spindly growth. Trim as needed to shape and get rid of brown growth. Knowing the fundamentals of indoor plants and their requirements is all that is required for money tree plant care.
Repotting
a professionally produced soil mixture with a peat moss basis for repotting an indoor money tree plant To improve drainage, add perlite and roughly 25% coarse sand to the potting mix. If sand is not available, clean pea gravel will work just as well. Make sure the bottom of the new pot has drainage holes. When growing outside in a region without frost, Pudwell advises choosing a location with good drainage, soil with a moderate level of fertility, and access to water whenever necessary.
Living Outdoors
He continues, “Of course, people can enjoy their holiday in our summery tropical weather by spending the summer outdoors in partial shade. It is advised to use indirect sunlight with some full sun. Additionally, keep the plant away from areas where strong winds could harm it. The nighttime low must be less than fifty degrees. Additionally, since the pot will dry out more quickly in the heat, they will need more water when they are outside.