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4.7 out of 5 (544 experiences)


About Money Tree
The money tree is native to the tropics and thrives near wetlands and swamps. They have extensive edible and medicinal properties and are used in Central America to treat kidney disease, urinary problems, and skin conditions like rashes and sores. 🤒 The amount of oil in money tree seeds is almost double the amount found in soybeans, one of the most widely grown sources of oil. And last but definitely most tasty: the edible seeds of this plant taste like peanuts when raw, and like chestnuts when roasted! 🥜
Taxonomy
Pachira aquatica
Pachira
Malvaceae
Malvales
Also known as
Mini Money Tree, Money Tree Bonsai, Alabar chestnut, French Peanut, Guiana Chestnut, Provision Tree, Saba nut, Monguba, Pumpo and Guiana Chestnut

How to care for Money Tree
How often to water your Money Tree

every 9
Money Tree needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Finding light for Money Tree in your home

a window
Money Tree may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Money Tree in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Money Tree

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Money Tree after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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These trees will be the death of me. The bounding bands have been cut upon repotting (months ago). I have 2 of them in two different places in my house and they both look this way! What’s going onnnnnn. #MoneyTree
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I think he's sick! We've watered, not watered, light, less light...what should we do? #MoneyTree
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Leafs are turning brown and falling, I am new with plants and don’t know if my plant is sick and what to do to help her. I water her once a week 1 cup. #MoneyTree
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So Eddie Money is a floor plant now 😱 not too shabby for 1.5 years growth 🥹 #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #MoneyTree #FreshLeafFriday
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Money Tree has bugs! Today I noticed these little tiny black bugs on the leaves of my Money Tree. They’re so small I couldn’t really get a picture of them, in focus. I sprayed the leaves with a mixture of vinegar, water, and dish soap. It seems to have killed the visible ones. Weird thing is I’ve had this plant for over 4 months now, with no sign of infestation. And the other Money Tree on the other side of the room seems to have no bugs…
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My money tree has these things on it?? I need advice! My #MoneyTree is looking a little off, I checked the roots and they are good, it started turning brown but more like discoloration and it’s gotten worse 😭 Now I checked it again and found these things on it. I’ve cut them off and this is what the browning leaves look like too. #helpneeded
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My money tree is losing leaves every day 😩 Any idea as to why my money tree is losing leaves? When I bought it in the summer it was so full. I have noticed that leaves have an odd color. It also has a lot of new growth on the trunk but it hasn’t fully sprouted in months. I water every two weeks or so. It is facing a west window. #MoneyTree
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So recently, my Moneytree developed a mold problem on two of the shoots. I remove them immediately and change the pot and soil. The two remaining shoes are still together and they have significant new growth. Is there anything you can recommend for me to do to keep it alive?
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Hi all, curious if recommended to repot at this point? #MoneyTree
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My money tree is dying and I don’t know why. It’s been fine and I have not changed anything as far as I know. #MoneyTree
Money Tree is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
💦 Water Needs
Money Tree prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
Money Tree may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Money Tree is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
💨 Humidity
Money Tree doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
🪴 Soil
Money Tree does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
💩 Fertilizer
Money Tree should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
❄️ Dormancy
It’s common for Money Tree to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
🌎 Native Region
Money Tree is native to Central, South America, Africa and India.
🌸 Flowers
Money Tree produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Money Tree will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Money Tree can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.
🌱 Propagation
Money Tree can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
🍂 Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Money Tree, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for Money Tree
Money Tree
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












I started with the typical 5 braided trunks and this is the only one that survived, and keeps surviving! This thing is a freaking pest MAGNET. Spider mites a few weeks ago, now scale and sooty mold 🙄 Every time I trim one of the leaves new growth pops up immediately though, so at least she’s happy 🤷🏽♀️



