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Money Tree

Plant care guide

How to care for Money Tree

Pachira aquatica (also sold as Pachira glabra)

Care level: EasyNon-toxic to cats & dogs

The money tree is a cheerful, forgiving little tree with glossy hand-shaped leaves on a sturdy trunk, whether braided or grown as a single stump. It is a classic good-luck gift and one of the easiest ways to bring a bit of tropical green into a room.

Also known as: Money Tree, Braided Money Tree, Money Tree Stump, Guiana Chestnut, Malabar Chestnut, Saba Nut, Pachira

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Open the box right away, lift the plant out by the pot (not the trunk), and gently remove any paper or sleeve around the leaves.
  2. Set it in bright, indirect light a few feet from a window, away from heating vents, radiators and cold drafty doors.
  3. Push a finger 2 inches into the soil: water only if it feels dry at that depth, and let the excess drain out of the nursery pot.
  4. A few yellow or dropped leaves in the first week or two is normal shipping stress and a reaction to new light; just pick them off.
  5. Wait at least 2 weeks before repotting so the roots can settle in.
  6. If your tree is braided, leave any ties on the braid alone for now.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Money trees like bright, indirect light, such as a spot a few feet from an east window or set back from a south or west window behind a sheer curtain. They tolerate medium light but grow slower and leggier there. Avoid hours of harsh direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every week or two so the canopy grows evenly.

Water

Water thoroughly when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, then let all the excess drain away; in most homes that is roughly every 1 to 2 weeks, less in winter. The thick trunk stores water, so it is far better to underwater slightly than to overwater. Yellowing leaves, a soft or mushy trunk base, or soil that stays wet for days point to too much water. Drooping, curling leaves with bone-dry soil mean it is time for a drink.

Humidity

Average household humidity is fine, though money trees appreciate a little extra moisture in dry winter air. Grouping it with other plants or running a small humidifier nearby helps if leaf tips start to crisp. Misting is optional and does little on its own.

Temperature

Keep it between about 60 and 85 degrees F. Money trees dislike cold drafts and sudden temperature swings, so keep them away from exterior doors in winter and out of the direct blast of heating or AC vents. Never leave it below 50 degrees F.

Soil & repotting

Use a well-draining potting mix; regular indoor mix with a handful of perlite or bark works well. Always use a pot with a drainage hole. Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring, going up only 1 to 2 inches in pot size, since money trees like being a bit snug.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter when growth slows. Never fertilize dry soil; water first.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Yellow leavesusually overwatering or poor drainage. Let the soil dry 2 inches down between waterings and make sure the pot drains.
  • Leaves dropping suddenlya change in location, cold drafts or shipping stress. Keep it in one steady spot and it will push new growth.
  • Soft or wrinkled trunk baseroot rot from soggy soil. Check the roots, trim any mushy brown ones, and repot in fresh, fast-draining mix.
  • Brown crispy leaf edgesdry air or underwatering. Water more consistently and add humidity.
  • Leggy, stretched growthnot enough light. Move it closer to a bright window.
  • Sticky leaves or fine webbingmealybugs or spider mites. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and treat with insecticidal soap.

Tips to help it thrive

  • Pinch or prune the tips in spring to keep the canopy full and bushy; money trees branch readily after a trim.
  • Stem cuttings with a couple of leaves will root in water or moist soil in a few weeks.
  • For braided trees, keep rotating the pot so all trunks get even light and stay balanced.
  • Wipe the large leaves with a damp cloth now and then so they can soak up more light.

Pet safety

Money Tree is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. As with any houseplant, it's still best to discourage pets from chewing the leaves, which can cause a mild upset stomach.

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