This houseplant can be found at almost every plant shop and is known for symbolizing good luck and good fortune.
Varieties
There really aren't many different varieties of the Money Tree plant. There are only mature size variables and stem variation. Some people plant multiple Money Trees in one pot, some only use one stem or, most commonly, people have then in a braided stem form. Here are some other names for this plant...
Botanical Name: Pachira aquatica
Common Name: Money Tree (most common), Guiana chestnut, Good Luck Tree, Malabar chestnut, Provision Tree, Plaited Plant and many more
Sun Requirements:
Bright, indirect light is best, but medium light is okay as well! You can get this kind of light in either an East or West facing window. Keep them out of any direct sunlight.
Water Requirement
This plant needs medium moisture. Underwatering can cause leaves to drop quickly.
Money Trees can benefit from a bit of humidity but it is not necessary. I currently don't provide any extra humidity to mine and it is doing great!
Fertilizer
As I always say, there are LOTS of ways to fertilize plants. Unless you are extremely over-fertilizing your plant, there isn't necessarily a wrong way to do this. I currently use Fox Farm's Grow Big Liquid Fertilizer and I fertilize every 2 weeks when I water my plants, starting around the end of February through October. I honestly probably only fertilize once or twice in winter because the plant isn't as active! I use about 1/2 to 3/4 the recommended amount of fertilizer because I would rather under-fertilize than over-fertilize my plants. Based on the below info from Fox Farm it looks like I could increase my fertilizing a bit if needed!
When I reached out to Fox Farm this is what they recommended...
"Either Grow Big or Happy Frog All Purpose Dry Fertilizer would be excellent options for your houseplants! Grow Big (6-4-4) is our all-purpose liquid plant food that your plants will love! It is incredibly concentrated and fast-acting and design to provide full-scale, crucial micro- and macro-nutrients to your plants. Grow Big can be applied at a rate of 2-3 teaspoons per gallon of water once a week. If you prefer a dry fertilizer, Happy Frog All Purpose Dry Fertilizer (6-4-5) is OMRI and CDFA listed and it’s a ready to use blend of balanced nitrogen rich fertilizers and microorganisms. Mycorrizhal fungi are included to help increase root efficiency, which may enhance nutrient uptake and water absorption. It is super easy to use, just apply monthly as topdressing. This is an excellent choice for your indoor plants."
*My main sources didn't list fertilizer recommendations, but online sources recommended basically the same thing I do, if not slightly more, fertilizer in winter. *
As you can see, there are MANY ways to fertilize and it is completely up to you! There are tons of products out there you can try but an overall rule of thumb for houseplants is that it is best to under-fertilize, rather than over-fertilize. Always use the recommended amount, or less, when applying your fertilizer to houseplants.
Propagation
Best way to propagate is with stem cuttings. Money Trees do have leaf nodes (see image) that are visible along the stems that you can use for water or soil propagation.
Other Facts
Part of the Malvaceae Family which includes Hibiscus, Cacao, Hollyhock, etc.
Some are native habitat to parts of South America and Mexico.
In nature, these plants can grow upwards of 50 ft tall, but in your home they stay shorter. The in-home height varies significantly, but my sources say anywhere from 3-8 ft tall. You can also train these to become a Bonsai tree.
You can pinch back the stems to create a fuller, less leggy plant.
These plants do have a small yellow flower natively but usually does not flower as a houseplant.
Money Trees are commonly placed in businesses to attract money and luck.
Feng shui practitioners use these plants to bring good luck and prosperity.
Non-toxic to pets and humans. Check out Podcast Ep#31 for more info or the corresponding blog post!
Instagram Q&A
I asked followers if they had any specific plant questions I could address in this podcast and blog. Here are the questions and answers for the Money Tree...
"Signs it needs to be repotted?"
Typically Money Trees need to be repotted every few years. Houseplants, in general, should be repotted and given new soil every 2-3 years to provide new nutrients for the plant. But there are several factors to look at if you are not sure if it should be repotted, such as...
Is the soil drying out faster than normal?
Has new growth slowed down even in peak season?
Is the root system compact?
"Does money actually grow on it? Just kidding... but really, why is it called Money Tree?"
There is a legend that a man prayed for money and prosperity. Soon after, he found a Money Tree and realized he could create many more from seeds produced by the tree. By doing so, he became wealthy by selling these trees.
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Love, Holly
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