How to Care for Money Tree (Pachira) - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

We PLNTSlovers always want all kinds of plants! And we love trees as much as we love small plants, but it is barely impossible to put trees inside your house, right? We have the solution for you! Have you ever heard of Pachira?

Pachira Aquatica, commonly known as the Money Tree, is a tropical wetland tree species in Malvaceae's mallow family, native to Central and South America. A Pachira tree has a unique braided trunk and shiny beautiful leaves that form a green umbrella. Its leaves, often split into five to nine parts, spread out from the centre like fingers, giving the plant a playful, hand-like look.

Fun fact! The name "Money Tree" comes from a story in Feng Shui about a poor man who prayed for money, found this "odd" plant, took it home as an omen, and made money selling plants grown from its seeds.

Money Tree plant is an excellent choice if you are looking for a large indoor plant. This tree-like plant family can also grow fruits for some species: an oval woody capsule opened by several divisions containing many seeds.

Money Tree Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. It's best to give your Pachira bright, indirect light. Just find a spot with lots of natural light. Keep it away from midday direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves.
2. It is best to water it when the soil has slightly dried out. You can determine soil moisture with a water meter or by sticking your finger into the soil.
3. Money Tree plant can handle short periods without water and doesn't like being in overly wet soil. It has big trunks that store water for dry times, but too much water can cause them to rot.
4. They are sensitive to sudden temperature changes and cold drafts. Choosing a spot away from open windows, doors, and heating vents is best.
5. It loves high humidity, around 50-60%. Despite this, it can thrive at humidity levels as low as 30% to 40%, making it more forgiving than other tropical plants.
6. Money Trees are not heavy feeders. You should fertilise them every two to four weeks in spring and summer with liquid houseplant fertiliser.
7. Make sure it has enough space to grow. Pachira plants can grow quite tall, about 2 meters. Give it plenty of room to grow and shine.
8. Prune your Pachira to promote bushier growth. If your Pachira plant becomes leggy or sparse, don't be afraid to prune it. This encourages the plant to develop a bushier form.
9. Do not move it too frequently. Pachira plants don't like to be moved, and frequent relocations can cause stress and leaf drop. Find a suitable spot and let it settle in.
10. Keep an eye on leaf changes. If the leaves start to yellow or fall, the plant may get too much water. In contrast, if leaves are wilting and the soil is dry, watering may be necessary.

Money Tree Plant care tips

Light requirements

Pachiras are fast growers and pretty easy plants. For this strong lady, bright but indirect sunlight is best. During the summer, place it a few metres from the window. During the winter, move it to the windowsill to get as much light as possible.

Pachira can also tolerate direct sun pretty well, but too much midday sun can burn its leaves, especially if it's not used to growing under such intense sunlight. If you put your Money Tree in a dark corner, its growth will be slowed, and it may become leggy. You can also spot some yellow leaves since it doesn't require much foliage in the shade.

Watering

Although Money Tree comes from a humid natural environment, it is not a thirsty houseplant. Or should we say this strong green beauty has been given a superpower? Pachira Aquatica can store water at the base of its swollen stems. So make sure you do not overwater your Pachira because it does not like wet feet at all!

Expert tip! In case you are not sure if it's the right time to water, remember that dry soil is better than wet soil. Pachira can survive short dry periods, so don't worry if you forget to water it.

The best thing to do is to let the soil dry out a little before watering again. Make sure that the excess water has drained away afterwards. It is best to water less in winter since your green friend is less active.

Fertilisation

If you want your beauty to shine bright in your home, give your Pachira Aquatica some PLNTS Nutrition once a month during the growth period in spring and summer. This will help your Money Tree grow faster and get even more green umbrella leaves.

Temperature & humidity

A room with a temperature between 12°C and 24°C is good, and since it thrives in a humid environment, a big, well-lit corner in your bathroom is also perfect spot. If you are looking for a large plant to add some greenery to your office environment, Pachira is always a good choice.

As tropical plants, they love a humid atmosphere. Keep humidity around 40-60%, and your Money Tree plant will be one happy houseplant. If you have dry air in your home, read how to raise humidity for your houseplants.

Repotting & soil

We recommend repotting your Pachira Aquatica every 2-3 years or when you notice roots growing out of the drainage holes in the pot. When it comes to soil, it loves the good stuff - well-draining and full of nutrients. We recommend using organic PLNTS organic houseplant soil to ensure the healthy growth of your sweet Pachira.

Propagating Pachira

Creating our own little Pachira forest, what a dream, isn’t it?! Of course, we are here to assist you, and we can already tell you that propagating your big lady is not that difficult. Stem cuttings are the easiest way to propagate during the growing season. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Choose a healthy mother plant and look for potential stem cuttings. A leaf with a green, healthy-looking stem can make a good cutting for propagation.
2. Cut off a stem around 10-15cm long with pruning shears or a sharp knife.
3. Put your fresh cutting in clean water. Change that water from time to time.

After a little patience, a bundle of roots will thrive. It means you can repot your new Money Tree cuttings!

Most common pests on Pachira Aquatica

There are some pests that can be attracted to your Money Tree. Little white fluffy cotton bugs' underside leaves. Mealybugs again! Pachira tree plants can suffer from these little pesky insects. Be aware always to check the leaves of your plant. You can even use a magnifying glass to spot them easily.

Also, scale insects like the strong stem and branch of the Pachira. If you want to be sure you are not mistaking a pest for another, you can check our PLNTSdoctor page to identify and eliminate your plant pests! You can also visit our shop for biological pest control.

Is Pachira poisonous for your pets or children?

Did we tell you that the Pachira Aquatica is also named the Money Tree? Unfortunately, your green beauty won’t grow money, but she’s safe for your pets and children! Pachira Aquatica is even recommended for people with allergies and asthma. You can be sure your green friend won't harm your furry friends!

Buy your new Pachira Aquatica online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com, we have the beautiful Pachira Aquatica in our online shop! We have them in a large sizes and many pots for you to find the perfect match for this beautiful green friend. As we trust in dreams and ambition, we hope your soon new-coming Money Tree will bring you good fortune! Buy Pachira online at PLNTS.com