If you’ve just brought home a Money Tree, or you’re thinking about adding one to your collection, you’re in for a treat. This striking plant, with its braided trunk and glossy green leaves, brings a real sense of style to any room. Beyond its looks, it’s also considered a symbol of luck and prosperity, which makes it a popular choice for homes and offices alike.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about money tree care, from watering and light to repotting and common problems. Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve had a few houseplants come and go, you’ll find practical, easy-to-follow advice here.
What Is a Money Tree?
The Money Tree, botanically known as Pachira Aquatica, is also sometimes called the Guiana Chestnut. It’s native to Central and South America, where it grows near wetlands and swamps. In its natural habitat, it can reach impressive heights, but as a houseplant, it stays much more manageable.
The plant became especially popular in Taiwan through the practice of feng shui. Practitioners believed the Money Tree attracted positive energy, or chi, into the home. Its trunk is often braided while young, which is purely a stylistic choice rather than anything to do with its growth or wellbeing.
Money Trees are also known for being relatively easy to look after, which makes them a good option if you’re still building your confidence as a plant parent. They’re considered safe around children and pets too, though it’s always sensible to keep any houseplant out of reach of curious paws and little hands.
How to Care for a Money Tree
Good money tree care comes down to getting a handful of basics right: light, water, soil, humidity, and the odd bit of feeding and pruning. None of these are complicated once you understand what the plant needs, and a Money Tree will reward consistent care with steady, healthy growth.
Let’s break each of these down.
Light Requirements
Money Trees like plenty of bright light, but they don’t want it beating down on them directly. Aim for a spot that gets around six hours of light a day, ideally somewhere close to a south-facing window but not directly in the path of the sun’s rays.
Direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, can scorch the leaves and leave brown, crispy patches behind. Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. If your home doesn’t have a naturally bright room, you can move your plant closer to a window in winter, when the sun is weaker, and pull it back slightly during the summer months.
If you notice your Money Tree leaning towards the light source, simply rotate the pot every couple of weeks. This encourages even, balanced growth on all sides.
Money Tree Watering
Money tree watering is probably the area where most people go wrong, usually by watering too often. The general rule is to water once the top inch or so of soil has dried out. Push your finger into the soil to check before reaching for the watering can.
When you do water, give the plant a thorough soak so the water reaches the roots, then let any excess drain away completely. Money Trees don’t like sitting in water, and soggy soil is one of the quickest ways to cause root rot. Popping some stones in the bottom of the pot, or standing the nursery pot on a plate to catch the run-off, helps avoid this problem.
In winter, when growth slows down, you’ll likely need to water less often. Always check the soil first rather than sticking to a fixed schedule, as conditions in your home will affect how quickly it dries out.
Best Soil for a Money Tree
The best soil for a Money Tree is one that drains well while still holding onto enough nutrients to support growth. A standard houseplant potting mix works as a base, but it’s worth improving the drainage by mixing in some sand, grit, or perlite.
This matters because Money Trees are particularly sensitive to waterlogged roots. A soil that drains freely reduces the risk of water pooling around the roots and causing rot, even if you do occasionally overwater.
Humidity and Temperature
Coming from a naturally humid environment, Money Trees appreciate a bit of extra moisture in the air. Average room humidity is usually fine, but if your home tends to be dry, particularly during winter when the heating is on, misting the leaves now and then can help.
Steady temperatures matter more than exact numbers. Try to avoid placing your plant near draughty windows, doors, or air conditioning units, and keep it away from radiators too. Sudden temperature swings can stress the plant and lead to leaf drop.
Fertilising
Feeding your Money Tree helps it put on healthy new growth, particularly during spring and summer when it’s actively growing. Fertilise once a month during these warmer months, then cut back to roughly every other month for the rest of the year.
It’s best to dilute your fertiliser to half strength, as Money Trees don’t need a heavy dose to thrive. Over-fertilising can do more harm than good, so less is generally more here.
Pruning
Pruning isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps keep your Money Tree looking tidy and can encourage bushier, fuller growth. Use clean, sharp secateurs and cut just above a leaf node or existing stem.
Removing any yellowing, damaged, or leggy growth also redirects the plant’s energy towards healthier leaves. Try to prune during the growing season, as this is when the plant recovers and regrows most quickly.
Repotting
Money Trees don’t need repotting often. In fact, if you’re happy with the current size of your plant, you can leave it in its existing pot indefinitely. Repotting is really only necessary if you want your Money Tree to grow larger, as a bigger pot gives the roots more room to spread.
If you’d rather keep your plant compact, some people even train their Money Tree as a bonsai by keeping it in a smaller container from an early stage. When you do decide to repot, choose a pot just one size up from the current one, and make sure it has good drainage.
Common Money Tree Problems and Solutions
Even with the best care, Money Trees can run into a few issues. Here’s what to look out for and how to deal with it.
Yellowing leaves are usually a sign of overwatering. Check that your soil is draining properly and that you’re allowing the top inch to dry out between waterings.
Brown, crispy leaf edges often point to too much direct sun or low humidity. Move your plant slightly further from the window, or consider misting it more regularly.
Drooping leaves can indicate either underwatering or, less commonly, the plant sitting in a draught. Check the soil moisture first before adjusting your watering routine.
Pests such as mealybugs and scale can occasionally appear. Keep an eye out for small white cotton-like clusters or brown bumps on the stems and undersides of leaves. Treat early with a mild insecticide such as neem oil, and if the infestation persists, a stronger houseplant bug treatment may be needed.
Leaf drop is often the plant’s response to a sudden change in environment, such as being moved to a new spot, a change in temperature, or a draught. Money Trees generally settle down once conditions stabilise.
Tips for Keeping a Money Tree Healthy Indoors
A few simple habits go a long way in keeping your Money Tree thriving indoors:
- Check the soil before watering rather than following a strict schedule.
- Wipe dust off the leaves occasionally so they can absorb light more effectively.
- Keep the plant away from radiators, draughts, and air conditioning vents.
- Rotate the pot every couple of weeks for even growth.
- Feed lightly during the growing season and ease off in winter.
Money Trees suit a variety of spaces around the home. Their bold, architectural shape makes them a natural fit as a large statement plant, and they also work beautifully as a feature piece among your living room plants. If you’re working with a smaller space, don’t worry, as Money Trees are also available in more compact sizes suited to small plant collections.
What to Consider When Buying a Money Tree Plant
If you’re thinking about where to buy a Money Tree plant, there are a few things worth checking first.
Size and space: Money Trees come in a range of sizes, from compact tabletop plants to larger statement pieces. Think about where you’ll place it and how much room you have to let it grow.
Light in your home: Since Money Trees need plenty of bright, indirect light, consider which rooms in your home offer this before deciding on placement.
Pet and child safety: Money Trees are considered safe around children and pets, which makes them a sensible choice for busy family homes.
Delivery and plant condition: Money Tree stems can be delicate, so it’s worth choosing a retailer that packages plants carefully for transit and offers support if anything arrives damaged.
If you’d like to explore the full range, you can browse the Money Tree plant at Plants Depot, available in a variety of sizes to suit different spaces.
It’s also worth understanding the broader differences between houseplants and garden varieties before you build out your indoor collection. Our guide on indoor plants vs garden plants explains what sets them apart and how to choose the right plants for your space. You can also browse our full range of indoor plants for more inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Caring for a Money Tree doesn’t need to be complicated. Give it bright, indirect light, water it only when the top inch of soil has dried out, and keep it in soil that drains well, and you’ll have a plant that stays healthy and looks good for years. Add in the odd feed during the growing season and a little patience, and your Money Tree will reward you with steady growth and a striking presence in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you water a Money Tree?
Water your Money Tree once the top inch of soil has dried out, rather than sticking to a fixed schedule. This is usually every one to two weeks, though it will vary depending on the light and temperature in your home.
Does a Money Tree need direct sunlight?
No, a Money Tree doesn’t need direct sunlight and can actually be damaged by it. Bright, indirect light is best, ideally near a south-facing window but out of the direct path of the sun.
How do you care for a Money Tree indoors?
Caring for a Money Tree indoors involves providing bright, indirect light, watering only when the topsoil is dry, using well-draining soil, and keeping the plant away from draughts and sudden temperature changes.
Why are my Money Tree leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves are most commonly caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Check that the soil is drying out between waterings and that excess water isn’t pooling around the roots.
What type of soil is best for a Money Tree?
A well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix works best. Adding perlite, sand, or grit improves drainage and helps prevent the roots from sitting in excess moisture.
How often should you repot a Money Tree?
Money Trees don’t need frequent repotting. Only repot if you want the plant to grow larger, as a bigger pot encourages further root and leaf growth. Otherwise, it’s fine to leave it in its current pot.
Does a Money Tree need humidity?
Yes, Money Trees prefer average to high humidity. If your home is particularly dry, especially during winter, misting the leaves occasionally can help keep the plant happy.
How can you encourage healthy Money Tree growth?
Consistent light, correct watering, well-draining soil, and light feeding during the growing season all support healthy growth. Rotating the pot occasionally and pruning damaged leaves also helps the plant put its energy into new, healthy growth.
