How to Grow and Care for a Money Plant
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a foliage houseplant A plant is usually composed of three to five plants twisted together to create one plant. The plant’s glossy green leaves are composed of five leaflets, which is usually five, and palmately complex leaves. The plant is said bring luck and prosperity.
The money tree is a houseplant version of a tropical tree, which can grow to 60 feet wild. This tree is native to Central America and South America. It produces edible brown nuts and beautiful yellow flowers. The common names for this tree include Malabar chestnut (or Guiana chestnut), Saba nut, French peanut, and Saba nut.
The trunks of wild plants are not braided. As a houseplant, the plant’s young, immature stems are flexible enough to be able to braid three to five plants together. These stems are held in position with string until they mature and become more woody. Although braiding is performed by nurserymen, there are many forms of houseplants. Houseplants usually grow to a height of 1-2 feet, but can grow to as high as 6 feet. The indoor money tree plant doesn’t produce flowers or nuts. It is well-known in Asian cultures for its symbolism. It is believed to bring prosperity, financial success, good luck, and good fortune. It is also said that it brings positive energy or “chi” in Feng Shui. It’s a great gift to give people when they start a business or buy new homes.
Plant Attributes
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Common Name: Money tree, money plant
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Botanical name: Pachira aquatica
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Family: Malvaceae
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Plant Type: Tropical houseplants
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Mature Size 6 ft. high and 2 ft. wide
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Sun Exposure: Partial
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Type of soil: Loamy soil that is well-drained
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pH of the soil: From neutral to acidic
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It’s Bloom Time It does not flower indoors
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Zones of Hardiness: 10 (USDA)
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The Native Area Central and South America
Care for Money Tree Plants
The money tree plant is similar to other tropical leaves plants and requires bright indirect light and high humidity. The money tree plant should be placed in a container with drainage holes. It doesn’t require watering often. Water it when the top 2 inches are dry. The humidity should be increased as the houses can get very dry in winter. Put the plant on a tray filled with water and pebbles, or spray water onto it. Fertilize Use a liquid fertilizer for houseplants in the summer. You can braid the stems to maintain the braided look as it grows. Once the stems turn woody, secure the string with string to ensure that the braid remains in place. Only the old, diseased leaves can be removed.
Light: Bright indirect lighting
Soil: Use a well draining potting mixture, or you can use a cactus/succulent specialty blend.
Water: Make sure to water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Be sure to drain any excess water from the container.
Temperature and Humidity This plant is tolerant to high temperatures and humidity, at least 50%. You may need to raise humidity by placing the container in a tray with pebbles and water, or misting it with water.
Fertilizer: Use a houseplant fertilizer for foliage during the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning the money tree will be enough to remove any dead or diseased leaves. The plant will require some pruning as it grows. However, the appearance of the plant will not change if the braiding is continued.
Propagating money tree plants
You can either propagate the money tree plant by cutting stems or by planting seeds. It will take more time to grow a houseplant from seed. You will need at least three plants to make a braided houseplant.
How to Propagate Money-Tree Plants from Stem Cuts
Take a stem cutting during the growing season to propagate the plant when you notice new growth.
What you Need:
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Razor-sharp, sterilized knife
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Rooting hormone
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Plastic bags
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Sterilized potting mixes, such as the bagged seeds starting mix
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Water
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You can make drainage holes in small plastic containers (you can also cut the base of a gallon milk container and make drainage holes); you should do one per 2-inch container or two per 4-inch container or many per milk jug.
How to Propagate Stem Cuttings
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The top five inches of stem should be cut with at least two nodes. Cut just below the node, which is the point where the stem’s leaves attach to it. You have a better chance of rooting your plant if you remove the node.
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Put the bottom end into some water, then shake off.
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With a pencil, poke holes in the moistened medium. To be able to stand, insert the cutting so that the stem is only a few inches in depth.
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Cover with a plastic bag so the bag is “inflated.” Either blow in the bag and seal or prop up with wire hangers. The container size will determine the size of your bag and how long it will stay inflated.
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What you are creating for these cuttings is a “mini greenhouse” so the cuttings can root without losing too much moisture. Condensation should form inside the bag. This means that there is enough moisture to keep the plant turgid.
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Place these mini greenhouses in an area that is 60°F to 75°F. Place them in the shade if they are outdoors. You can either place them outside or in the shade.
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Roots can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to develop. After the cuttings have grown, you can gradually remove the plastic from the bag, for about a week, to allow the plant time to adapt. You can eventually transplant the cuttings outside if the bag is still intact.
How to Grow Money Tree Plants from Seed
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A container about 6 inches in diameter should be used for each seed.
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You can fill the container with seed-starting mix or a well drained potting mix, and then water to saturate.
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The seed are large so plant one seed per container, about ¼ inch deep and then water again
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Place containers on a tray and place in an area that receives bright indirect light.
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Water after the soil’s top inch dries out.
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You may be able water the seed as it germinates and begins to grow.
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Keep growing in a container under bright indirect light.
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As plants grow, they may need to be re-potted into a larger container. If braiding is desired, the container must hold at least three plants.
Potting and Repotting
The money tree plant may need to be repotted as it grows. The roots of the money tree plant are not very deep and it might not grow very tall. But as it grows, it will need to have more support from the base in order to not topple. You will need a container slightly larger than your existing one, approximately 2 inches in diameter, and with drainage holes. Gently lift the plant out of the container by turning it over. Remove roots and make sure they aren’t compacted. Place in a new container and add new potting mix. Place the pot about an inch below its rim. This will ensure that the water does not leak out when you water it. You can check to see whether you need a larger tray after repotting. You should water the plant.
Overwintering
The money tree plant can be grown indoors as a houseplant. It requires very little maintenance in winter. You should fertilize your plant regularly and not water it less often. Increase humidity efforts if possible as winter can be too dry.
Common Pests & Plant Disease
Money tree plants can be attacked just like other leaf houseplants by mealybugs and spider mites. Spray the plant with insecticide soap to control spider mites. You can get rid of mealybugs by wiping them with a cotton swab that has been dipped into alcohol. Fungus gnats indicates overwatering and can be deterred by less watering as well as applying about ½ inch of horticultural sand on top of the potting mix.
Leaf spots and root-rot are examples of diseases. Anthracnose, which is a fungal infection that causes leaf spots, can cause them. The affected leaves should be removed. Avoid getting water on the leaves when watering. Also, reduce the amount of misting. Consider spraying copper fungicide if the problem is serious.
Root rot is usually caused by overwatering. If your mix isn’t draining fast enough, water less.
Money Tree Plant Problems
The money tree plant can be grown easily in a house. Plant owners can overwater or submerge plants until they are comfortable with it. Or they might not be able provide enough light or humidity. If your plant is not receiving what it needs, it will inform you.
Yellowing of the LeavesDry air can cause this. In such cases, you will need to increase your humidity.
Leaves turning brown and crispUnderwatering can cause this. In which case, you must water more often or thoroughly to ensure that the drainage holes are not blocked. Dry air can also cause this. You can increase the humidity by misting water on a tray and adding pebbles and water.
Drooping green leavesThis could be an indication that the plant is not getting enough water (the plant has become wilted), or too much water (the soil has become saturated, and the plant is unable to obtain oxygen). If the soil is also dry, it means that you are underwatering. If the soil is too wet, it means that you are overwatering.
Plant Leaning To One Side: The plant requires more light. Rotate the plant frequently if you are unable to provide more light. This will ensure that it grows symmetrically.
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