How to Grow a Money Tree for Luck and Abundance

If you're looking for a decorative small tree to keep in your home but are tired of fussy fiddle leaf figs and sensitive rubber trees, consider Pachira aquatica (also known as the money tree).

Despite its tropical good looks and fancy braided stem, Pachira aquatica is much easier to care for, making it the perfect statement plant for beginners.

If you believe in superstition, it's also said to bring good luck! Here's everything you need to know about money tree care.

01.

Light and temperature

It likes bright light, but it’s fine with indirect rather than full sun. You can put yours next to a window, or use some artificial lighting if you don’t have window space available.

02.

Water and humidity

Since a money tree in a pot doesn’t receive quite the same drainage that a wild one growing in full soil does, it’s usually recommended not to water yours too much in order to prevent issues like root rot.

03.

Soil and planting

If you don’t mind using peat, here’s a mixture you could consider: – 2 parts peat moss – 2 parts perlite – 1 part compost

04.

Fertilizing

If it’s been a few months since you’ve repotted, it has likely depleted the nutrients in its soil, so you can use a regular liquid houseplant fertilizer once or twice a month.

05.

Pruning and braiding

Money trees don’t need a lot of pruning, except to remove dead leaves and any that you don’t like the look of. If you have a braided specimen and would like to maintain the look, though, you’ll have to do that once in a while as the tree grows.

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