Money Tree
Pachira aquatica
The money tree is a popular houseplant, often sold with several braided trunks topped by glossy, hand-shaped leaves. It is easy-going and associated with good fortune in feng shui.
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis · CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light
Watering
Moderate
Water when the top half of the soil is dry; never let it sit in water.
Soil
Well-drained potting mix with perlite; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
12–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, seed
Trim to keep it compact; rotate the pot for even growth.
Money trees are not toxic to people, cats or dogs.
Top Cultivation Tips
Yellow leaves usually mean overwatering.
Keep away from draughts.
Use a pot with drainage holes.
Do not confuse with jade, also called money plant.
Common problems
Leaf drop
A houseplant or shrub dropping many leaves at once, usually in reaction to a sudden change in light, temperature, watering or position.
How to treat it →DiseaseRoot rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →PestSpider mites
Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing.
How to treat it →
