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Indoor plant care

Money Tree

Pachira aquatica

• LightMoney Tree prefers bright, indirect light at 150 to 250…
• WaterWater Money Tree once the topsoil feels dry. Check the soil…
• ToxicitySafe for cats & dogs
• Mature sizeIt eventually reaches 3 to 6 ft / 0

Money Tree is a small indoor tree with glossy leaves divided into hand-like clusters. Several young trunks are often braided to create the familiar decorative form. The plant is linked with prosperity and good luck, making it a common gift. It grows well in bright filtered light and fits floor pots or large tabletops while young. Choose it for tropical foliage, an upright shape, and manageable indoor care.

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Care data checked 25 September 2026 · Dany · A-Z Plants

Light requirements

Money Tree prefers bright, indirect light at 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ as PPFD. Even lighting helps the canopy grow without leaning strongly toward a window.

• Placement: set it about 5 ft / 1.5 m from a south, west, or east-facing window.
• Direct sun: avoid giving the foliage a clear view of the sky. Add a sheer curtain if sunlight strikes the leaves.
• Too much light: leaves may fade, bleach, or develop scorched areas.
• Too little light: stems stretch and leaf growth slows. A PAR meter or PAR meter app can measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD (μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹).

Watering

Water Money Tree once the topsoil feels dry. Check the soil before adding more, since a large trunk does not protect roots from constantly wet potting mix.

• Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water. This may reduce mineral deposits and crispy brown leaf edges.
• Water evenly until liquid flows through the drainage holes. Let the container drain fully before placing it back on a saucer or inside a decorative planter.
• A pot with drainage holes is essential. Standing water may cause yellow leaves, soft roots, and root rot.
• Water considerably less during the winter months when active growth slows. Letting the entire root ball stay dry too long can cause drooping or leaf drop.

Soil

Money Tree grows well in an organic all-purpose potting mix with dependable drainage. The mix should hold light moisture without staying saturated around the roots or braided trunk.

• DIY recipe: mix 3 parts coir with 1 part pumice.
• Top dress with worm castings. Use a pot with drainage holes and remove any excess water from the saucer.

Feeding

Apply an organic all-purpose fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks from March to October. Feed Money Tree at the product’s stated strength while the soil is damp. Do not use stronger doses for faster growth, and stop routine applications when growth slows outside these months.

Temperature & humidity

Money Tree prefers an ideal temperature range of 53 to 77 °F / 12 to 25 °C. Its ideal humidity is 50%. Keep the plant away from cold drafts, drying vents, and sudden temperature changes that may cause leaf drop.

What to expect

Money Tree can take 5 to 10 years to mature indoors. It eventually reaches 3 to 6 ft / 0.9 to 1.8 m tall, with a spread of 1 to 3 ft / 0.3 to 0.9 m. Growth is moderate under warm, bright conditions.

Varieties & cultivars

• Pachira aquatica ‘Variegata’: Creamy white and green patterns mark the leaves. This form is slightly more sensitive to its light conditions.
• Pachira aquatica ‘Mini’: A smaller selection for compact rooms. It keeps the braided trunk and glossy foliage of the standard plant.
• Pachira glabra: Often mistaken for Pachira aquatica, this species has a more bulbous base. It bears white flowers and green fruit and is braided less often.