Money Tree Plant Care Guide

Instructions

Money Tree Soil Preference:

1. Money trees prefer well draining soil. The roots will rot quickly if they sit in moist soil.
2. A mix of cactus potting mix with 25 % perlite mixed in will keep the roots happiest. A regular soil mix can be used with 50% perlite added.
3. Make sure your pot has drainage at the bottom. Do not use a pot with no drainage hole for this plant.
4. A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for this plant.

Pot Size and Type:

1. The money tree can grow in many different kinds of pots, I like to plant mine in ceramic pots with a drainage hole.
2. Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom.
3. Don't jump to a huge pot from a small one. Just go to the next size up pot. If you want to keep your money tree a manageable size for indoors don't put it in a huge pot. .
4. Choose a pot just larger than the root ball.
5. Money tree plants are best repotted in the spring and summer months when they are actively growing.

Lighting:

1. Guiana Chestnut grow best in bright indirect light. They even thrive under fluorescent lights. So they do well in office buildings.
2. In constant hot direct sunlight the leaves can get burnt.
3. They enjoy 6 to 8 hours of strong INDIRECT light per day but will tolerate lower light.

Watering:

1. Pachira aquatica enjoys DEEP infrequent waterings. Soak the plant and let it drain.
2. Allow your money tree plant to get pretty dry. Keep the soil dry half way down into the pot before heavily watering it again.
3. In dormant winter months reduce watering to when the soil is dry.
4. Never let this plant get wet feet. Money trees are susceptible to root rot. Heavy wet soil attracts fungus gnats.
5. But they DO like humidity. Set your money tree in its pot on a pebble tray with water to allow evaporation to rise through the palm like leaves of this small indoor tree.
6. They also enjoy frequent misting.

How to Fertilize:

1. Apply a good quality plant food at half strength (linked in materials) monthly through Spring and summer.
2. Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow the plant to rest through the winter months.

Temperature:

1. The money tree plant will do best in temperatures between 65-80 degrees F.

Pests:

1. The Pachira aquatica is a hardy resilient plant. However all plants can get attacked by pests.
2. Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress..
3. Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
4. Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
5. To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
6. Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

How to Propagate stem cuttings:

1. Propagate during the growing season when the light index is high and it's warm.
2. Cut a branch or stem at least 6 to 8 inches long off the plant using sterile pruners. Choose one with several nodes on it.
3. Dip the cut end of your branch cutting into a rooting hormone.
4. Place the stem or branch cutting into a pot of wet medium like perlite or sand cut side down.
5. Place pot in a bag or small greenhouse to produce humidity.
6. If this is not practical frequently mist the cutting.
7. Place near a window with bright indirect light.
8. After 6 to 8 weeks roots will grow. Through the growing season you may see growth on the stem.
9. After several months repot into a good soil mix.