The money tree, Pachira Aquatica, is a native plant of Central and South America. When kept indoors, the tree typically grows to six to eight feet (over 60 feet tall in the wild). In addition to their striking appearance, they are also relatively simple to maintain.
A money tree will flourish if you provide it with the right conditions. After I got my first money tree, I studied the basics of the plant to raise a plant void of disease and pests with good growth. Want to know how I was able to raise mine? Read on!
Watering a Money Tree: How Much?
Your money tree plant only requires about 6-8 ounces of water every three weeks, unlike orchids and most other indoor plants. I advise watering it weekly with two ice cubes (3 tablespoons), as this is much simpler to remember. If you skip a week, you can double up, 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 if your money tree plant also has a reliable drainage system. By doing this, the roots won’t decay or rot.
Watering My Money Tree: How Often?
It would be best if you didn’t overwater money trees. Usually, two to three times a month of watering is adequate. Regular watering intervals are once every one to two weeks. When deciding when to water a money tree, check the soil to see how deep down it is dry. Before watering, let the soil dry 2 to 4 inches down. The money plant frequently requires less water in the winter since development stops.
Observing the leaves of your money plant can also help you determine whether it needs water. If the plant needs more water, they start to wrinkle and curl. The leaves may appear yellow and droopy if you are overwatering the plant.
Money Tree Basic Care
The following are the basic things you should know about caring for your money tree plant:
- Sunlight
Money tree plants prefer mixed direct and indirect sunshine. 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.
Be careful not to keep moving it about. Another important point? You can safely maintain a money tree in your office if you give it the care it needs because it can withstand fluorescent lighting.
- Temperature And Humidity
Keep money tree plants in areas between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit because they thrive in warmer climates. The good news is that money trees are also reasonably adaptable and tolerant. They can still function in temperatures ten degrees above or below the ideal range.
When it comes to humidity, money trees benefit from additional moisture, so be sure to water your plant frequently. I advise placing your money tree on a pebble tray to enhance humidity throughout the winter.
- Soil
Maintaining nutrient-rich potting soil with excellent drainage is crucial. Use a potting mix that drains well, or add sand and gravel for more porousness.
Other Care Factors You Should Know
Here are some tricks for caring for your Money Tree. They include:
- Hydrate And Set It Aside
Water the money tree plant thoroughly, letting the water run out of the drainage holes under your container because this tree enjoys chugging water. But once the soil has been moistened, you should let it alone! Before re-watering your Money Tree, let it dry out (at least the top two to four inches of soil). If left wet over an extended period, its roots will decay.
- Give To It A Permanent Base
The Money Tree is unquestionably not a nomad and adores a secure setting. The plant will drop all its leaves in protest if you move it once it is established in a spot that meets its demands. Although they will grow back, the tree will remain naked for a while. Keep the temperature between 16 and 26 °C (65 and 80 °F) and keep any hot or cold drafts at a minimum or entirely avoid them.
- Feed It Properly
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. Apply a balanced fertilizer at half strength to the money tree every time you water. The simplest fertilizer, particularly for smaller pots, is liquid or water-soluble. You can skip feeding your plant during the cold months
- Humidity
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 to avoid making this a regular occurrence. More humidity will be added to the air as it evaporates.
- Re-potting
Your money tree will only require re-potting every two to three years, and the best time to do this is in the spring. Find a pot one or two sizes larger than the existing one and have sufficient drainage. You can prune some root growth if you want to keep using the same planter (but be careful not to remove more than 25% of the roots) and then replant it in new soil. Money trees prefer a well-draining potting mix, so keep that in mind while purchasing fresh soil. Sand, pebbles, perlite, or soil developed specifically for money trees are some of the best soil options.
- Pruning
You can trim the leaves if your money tree gets out of hand (it’s getting too big or wide for your space). Cutting off wilted or discolored leaves will encourage healthy growth.
- Braiding
Even though money tree plants can grow without being braided, most of the contemporary Pachira Aquaticas you’ll find on the market have been braided before being sold. Multiple plants have intertwined their trunks while still growing and flexible to form braided money trees. Gently interlace the trunks, then loosely tie a string around the top to hold it together. You can keep doing this as the tree becomes bigger.
Common Money Tree Problems from Overwatering or Underwatering
See of the most common money tree problems you may come across. They include:
Your plant can be receiving too much water or too much sunlight. Consider maintaining a regular watering schedule or relocating your planter to a spot with more filtered light.
- Root Rot
Root rot may result from overwatering. Act fast to prevent root rot from becoming fatal if you see drooping leaves, a squishy, slimy trunk, or an unpleasant smell. Quickly re-pot your plant!
- Leaf Drop
Your plant is getting too much or too little water. Watering your plant regularly is critical. Also, avoid waiting until the soil is entirely dry. Variations in temperature, excessive sunlight, or bug infestations may all be contributing causes. Be aware that some leaf loss is typical during the growing process.