Exclusive 21 Money Tree Maintenance | Care | Pruning Tips and Tricks

The Money Tree / Lucky tree is a beautiful indoor/outdoor tree that can grow up to eight feet tall and is a sign of good luck and success.

Through this article, you will learn the fundamentals of Feng Shui Money Tree Maintenance and how to solve common problems that you can find while growing the plant.

Are Money Trees Really Lucky?

Money trees or fortune trees, also known as pachira aquatica (Guiana chestnut), are regarded as lucky and prosperous trees.

The tree as we know it today was first grown by a truck driver in Taiwan, and it soon gained popularity in Japan and East Asia, as well as being linked to the Chinese art of Feng Shui, which helps explain the pachira plant feng shui.

The braided trunks are said to “trap wealth in its folds,” and the five leaves found on each stalk are said to represent the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and metal. It’s even luckier if you come across a big-money tree plant with each stalk having seven leaves.

Is A Money Tree Plant Easy To Grow?

Money trees are low-maintenance plants, but there are a few things you can do to keep your money tree safe and green. As you read more into this post, you will discover those certain points.

Steps On How To grow care And Propagate A Money Tree Plant?

Find below steps in order to Grow Care And Propagate A Money Tree Plant.

Step 1: Seed collection 

When the big, coconut-like seed pods dry out and begin to break open, collect the Money tree seeds. Break the pod open. Remove the big, reddish-brown seeds with your fingers. Inspect the seeds and toss out those that have holes or other obvious flaws. 

Step 2: Containers preparation 

Each money tree seed should be planted in its jar. Mix 5 parts money tree potting soil, two parts coarse sand, and part perlite in a 6- to 8-inch plastic pot. Fill the container with water until the soil mixture is completely saturated. Wait for some minutes for the excess soil to drain off.

Step 3: Sowing 

In each container, sow one money tree seed at a depth of a quarter inch. With the pale spot on the end faces sideways place the seed in the holes. To settle the soil, water the seed. In case the soil settles excessively and exposes the seed, apply more soil.

Step 4: Money Tree Maintenance and care

Place the pot in a warm, bright spot, such as a south-facing porch or indoors near a wide, un-shaded window. Using a propagation pad, heat the pot to about 27 degrees celsius. If you’re going to use the propagation mat outside for when you are growing your money tree outside, wrap the pot in plastic wrap.

Because the propagation mat can cause the water to dry out faster than normal, the moisture content of the soil should be monitored every day. When the top 1 inch feels quite dry, water to a depth of 2 inches.

In about a week, the first seedlings should emerge. If the fortune tree seeds have sprouted, remove the propagation pad. Continue to water in the same way as you do before. To minimize the chances of fungal or bacterial infection, prevent spilling water on the seedlings.

Best Variety Of Money Tree Plants To Grow

There are four common money tree plant varieties that you can add to your collections. 

1. Crassula ovata

The Crassula ovata is the most popular species found in Australia, in the spring it grows a succulent plant with white or pink flowers.

2. Pachira aquatica

• The money tree plant name is Pachira Aquatica and it is naturally found in the swamps of Central and South America where it grows up to about 18 meters in height.
• The tree is distinguished by shiny green playmate leaves having a smooth green bark. The trunk is always completely braided when grown as a houseplant.
• A typical example is the money tree Boise and the money tree Hawaii.

3. Lunaria

Lunaria is the lucky tree species that can be found in central and southern Europe, They are characterized by hairy toothed leaves with white and violet flowers. The Lunaria plant seed pod resembles large coins, earning it the nickname money tree.

4. Theobroma cacao

Theobroma cacao which is popularly called cacao tree, its beans were once used as currency, which is why it was referred to as money tree.

Find here my top picks to get live Pachira aquatica plants for your home, office.

Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Prune A Money Tree Plant?

To effectively care for your money tree plant, you have to prune them regularly as at when due. Below are some of the best times in which you can decide to prune your money tree. 

1. Prune the tree if it becomes overgrown. 
2. Presence of brown or wilted leaves.
3. In the spring. 

1. Use sharp gardening shears. 

Garden shears can be found at the nearest gardening supplies store around you or online shops. To properly trim the tree, the shears should be clean and sharp to prevent infections and diseases. 

2. Locate two V-shaped branches that emerge from the trunk. 

Search for two branches that form a V-shape and stretch out from the tree’s trunk. The tree’s form and growth can be maintained if it is pruned in a V-shape. 

3. Remove the trunk at about half-inch above the V-shaped branches at a specific angle

When you want to cut the trunk, hold the gardening shears at an angle of 45-degree. Remove any excess branches and leaves with a clean cut.

4. Cut off branches from the tree’s top and sides. 

 Remove branches on the top and sides of the tree that tends to be overgrown as you work your way around the tree.Be sure to cut half an inch above the tree’s V-shaped branches on the trunk. 

5. Any branches with dry or brown leaves should be pruned. 

Trim any dead, dry, or brown leaves from the tree by cutting them off at a 45-degree angle from the stem. To ensure that the stem grows back fuller and stronger, leave at least half-inch of growth on the Money tree stem.

6. Reduce the height of the tree to half its normal size.

Cut off any brown leaves and overgrown trees. Then check the tree’s form. If the tree’s shape is irregular, prune more branches until it is more uniform.

Why Are My Money Tree Plant Dying? 11 Reasons

1. Too Much Water 

Watering too much isn’t the only source of overwatering. An overwatering problem can be caused by any factor that keeps the soil wet or causes poor root ventilation.

Since the plant cannot retain water and nutrients from the affected roots to sustain the leaves, overwatering causes soggy soil, which causes leaf loss. The plant will be stressed, ultimately developing root rot and dying.

2. Too Much Direct Sunlight

A Money tree plant’s leaves can be burned and lost if exposed to too much direct sunlight.

In the spring, keep your fort Money tree plant near a window facing south, and in the winter, switch it to an east-facing window.

Once a week, rotate it 90 degrees to make sure it receives the proper concentration of light to expand evenly.

3. Temperature Fluctuations

The Money tree thrives best at room temperature. Be careful, if the temperature drops below 65, not to place it in proximity to air conditioning or heating vents or outside, or else you risk them dying off. 

4. Drafts

Warm or cold drafts will cause your plant a lot of stress, and which effect can be seen by the leaves of the Money tree dropping.

A draughty window or positioning of your near heating or cooling vent will very likely cause your money tree to lose its leaves, thereby resulting in its death.

Transfer your plant far from any possible drafts producing position and provide rather consistent temperatures.

5.  Acclimation

Change in environmental conditions occurs when you just bring your real money tree plant home. Your Money Tree often responds to the change in conditions by dropping its leaves.

So far the leaf loss is just mild and if it only occurs in the first couple of weeks then everything is okay. Only concentrate on finding a suitable place and care for your money tree at home.

6. Underwatering

A money tree dying off should be easy to identify if the cause is underwatering. Look for dry, curly leaves that are most evident in younger leaves. The leaves may be brown with edges or tips and even the entire plant may drop.

 Soak your plant adequately and start your normal watering routine. Inspect your plant each day and water each time the 1-2 centimeters of the soil seems dry. Do not water on a schedule, since this often leads to over or insufficient watering.

7. Pests

Sap-buckling houseplant pests like scales, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and aphids usually attack Pachira Aquatica also called money trees. You can see the pests yourself or find proof of their presence. Check the leaves for irregular patterns of yellow and brown spots. Heavily affected leaves usually drop out of the plant and ultimately kill the plant.

Take a regular look for pests in your household because treating a mild case is much easier than fighting a serious infestation.

8. Disease

Money trees can also be susceptible to leaf spot disease caused by fungal and bacterial infections.

In wet, humid, or poorly ventilated growth environments, leaf spot diseases are so much more frequent. The optimization of watering and ventilation procedures usually prevents most diseases,

You should cut off the whole leaves and can also use a range of antifungal and anti-bacterial preparations to treat your plant which can reduce the risk of reinfection.

9. Low Light

While watering is often blamed for most of the houseplant’s problems, inadequate light is much more crucial for their well-being over the longer term.

Ensure to take note of the quantity of light your plants are receiving if you notice your Money tree is dropping its leaves. Your money tree will thrive better than how most people think in bright, indirect lighting.

Your plant won’t be able to support as much foliage as required under lower lighting conditions, and the plant will gradually drop its leaves and become leggier over time.

10. Temperature Stress

Money trees (Pachira aquatica) originate from Central and South American hot and moist zones, in which the temperature is reasonably constant throughout the year.

The plants can thrive in high temperatures only if the humidity is also high.

Your money tree will start dropping its leaves when or if it is exposed to a temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit

11. Transplant Stress

If your Money garden plants drop their leaves after repotting, usually this is nothing to make a fuss about. Repotting your plants can be stressful to your plants, especially if you have had to maneuver the roots a great deal during the procedure. 

So far you have repotted your plant into an appropriate container and money tree soil mix, it shouldn’t take long before it recovers.Concentrate on providing good care and your plant will soon stop losing leaves.

Various Money Tree Plant Problems and fixes

This plant is rarely affected by diseases or pests, but the following issues can arise in some cases: 

a. Diseases Problems

1. Yellow leaves

This can happen when there isn’t enough humidity or when there is more than enough or not enough fertilizer for the money plant. If required, increase the humidity and position the plant in a permanent location. 

2. Leaf spots

Spots found on leaves are mostly caused by potassium deficiency. The money tree plant maintenance for this issue is to apply special fertilizer.

The spots on leaves can also occur as a result of overwatering, so change your watering habits and eliminate any dead branches to prevent the disease from spreading.

b. Pest Problems 

1. Aphids

If you place your plant outside during the summer, aphids problems are a common concern. If the infestation is recent, you should be able to get rid of it by giving the plant a good shower. If this method does not work use neem oil instead. 

2. Spider mites

When you notice spider mites on your plants, it’s typically a sign that the humidity needs to be increased. A white webbing can be seen on the stems or the lower parts of the leaves. When you find this, wash your plant and raise the humidity. 

3. Scale insects

They appear as small brown bumps on the leaves or as a glossy film on the plants in the winter. Scales can be avoided by coating the plant with a solution of water, soap, and alcohol regularly.

Ways For Money Tree Propagation?

• Growing a real Money tree from seed is not the easiest way of propagating the plant, particularly when this money tree is a houseplant.
• Flowers, let alone fruit, is quite rare to be found on a money tree growing in a container unless it’s an artificial money tree plant.
• So what is the easiest way to how to propagate a Money tree? Cuttings are the easiest way to grow money trees. 
• Money tree cuttings may be rooted in water and then transferred into the soil or directly rooted into the soil.
• Growing in water is a fun way to watch your tree roots grow, but generally propagating the cuttings in the soil directly is more successful.

Best Soil Condition For Money Tree

A money tree requires sandy, peat-moss-based soil, and a well-drained pot to prevent root rot. While it generally likes moisture.

Its soil should be re-watered when the soil has dried out. Watering when the top two to four inches of soil are dry, is a good routine for most environmental conditions.

How To Braid A Money Tree?

Three stems are needed for the braiding 

• Before you start the braiding, make sure that the stems are 7-10 feet in height.
• Twist the young stems loosely into 2-3″ of the braid and bind the top softly with a string.
• Continue braiding the new growth every few months and rebind the string.
• The plant will have a woody, woven trunk after about six to eight months and new growth is to be found in a beautiful cluster from the top.

The bottom line 

All in all, Money Tree Maintenance is a thriving and resilient plant that can be grown for years of enjoyment. You can grow and care for your money tree well by following the few simple tips listed above.

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FAQs on Money Tree Maintenance And Care Tips

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