The money tree, also known as Pachira aquatica, is an easy-to-grow indoor plant that usually comes with a twisted trunk. It does not need special care, but there are some precautions to be implemented to keep it green and healthy.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose a Suitable Place for the Plant
Step 1. Place the plant in a spot where it can receive indirect light
Any well-lit spot that doesn't get too much direct sunlight will do. Keep it away from windows if direct sunlight enters it during the day, as it can darken the leaves and cause the plant to die.
- A shelf in the living room or a chest of drawers in the bedroom make ideal places for this plant, as long as it doesn't get too much direct sunlight.
- Try turning it slightly each time you water it - this procedure will help ensure uniform growth and development of the leaves.
Step 2. Keep it away from extreme heat and cold
Extreme temperatures can shock the plant and cause it to die. Find a suitable place that is away from heat and air conditioning ducts - ideally the plant should be in a place with a temperature between 16 and 24 ° C.
Step 3. Choose a location that has at least 50% humidity
This type of plant needs a lot of moisture to survive. If you live in an area with a dry climate and are concerned that the humidity level is too low, place a humidifier near the plant and get an indoor hygrometer to keep an eye on the humidity in the room where the room is located. plant.
Step 4. Increase the surrounding humidity level if the plant feels dry to you
Falling dry leaves are a sign that your plant is not getting enough moisture. If you've already placed a humidifier in the room, try leaving it on for longer or get a second appliance. Make sure the plant isn't near a heat vent that could dry out the air.
Watering it more often won't help fight dryness of the leaves and may even make it worse by causing the roots to rot or the leaves themselves turn yellow
Method 2 of 4: Water the Money Tree
Step 1. Water the plant when the first 2.5-5cm of potting soil is dry
Don't do this when the soil is still wet, or you could risk overdoing it with water and causing the roots to rot. To check that the soil is dry enough, gently insert a finger inside it: if it is dry for the first 2.5-5 cm, water the plant.
Step 2. Water the plant until water runs out of the drainage holes
When you see it come out of the holes and gush into the saucer, stop watering the plant. Make sure you go that far, or you might not get all the water she needs.
Step 3. Throw away the water from the saucer when you finish watering
This way it will not be immersed in water and the roots will not rot. After watering it, wait a few minutes for all the water to drain out of the drainage holes and into the saucer, then lift the plant and take out the water-filled saucer. Empty it and put it back in its place.
Step 4. Water it less frequently during the winter
The money tree grows less during the winter months because there isn't a lot of light, so it doesn't need a lot of water. In winter, when you see that the soil is dry, wait another 2-3 days before watering it and start again with regular watering when spring arrives.
Method 3 of 4: Prune and Shape the Money Tree
Step 1. Remove dead and damaged leaves with a pair of shears
This way you will keep the plant green and healthy. Dead leaves are brown and withered, while damaged ones are torn or broken at the height of the stem: if you see any, cut them off at the base with shears.
It's okay if you don't remove dead or damaged leaves - the plant simply won't look as good
Step 2. Give it a shape with the help of the shears
Observe the plant and imagine its ideal shape, identifying the parts that emerge from it; take a pair of shears and trim off the excess, removing them just beyond the outermost leaf node.
The money tree usually has a rounded shape, but you can give it a square or triangular one if you prefer
Step 3. Prune it during the spring and summer to keep it small (optional)
If you want it to get bigger, avoid pruning it. For pruning use a pair of shears and remove the ends just beyond the leaf node at the base.
Method 4 of 4: Feed the Fertilizer and Repot the Plant
Step 1. Feed her fertilizer 3-4 times a year
This type of plant grows a lot during the spring and summer - a little seasonal fertilizer will help it stay healthy as it grows. Use a liquid product by halving the recommended dose on the package, then stop giving the plant fertilizer at the end of the summer: it does not need it outside the growing season, as its development is slowed and therefore fewer nutrients are needed.
Make sure you cut the recommended dose in half, as this is the indicative maximum amount to give to plants growing in optimal conditions, but it could prove too much for your plant and have negative effects
Step 2. Plant it in a relatively small pot
A pot that is too large would have too much soil and could hold too much moisture, causing the roots to rot. When repotting it, choose one that is slightly larger than the previous one.
Step 3. Choose a pot with drainage holes
These holes allow water to drain from the plant into the saucer. The roots of the money tree tend to rot from over-watering, so good drainage is important. When buying the vase, check if there are holes on the bottom; if they are not there, choose another one.
Step 4. Plant it in well-draining, moisture-retaining soil
Use a bonsai mix or create your own from peat moss-based soil and add sand or other organic material to it. Peat moss will help retain moisture and sand or perlite will serve for drainage.
Step 5. Repot the plant every 2-3 years
To do this, gently pull the roots and soil out of the pot it is in, being careful to keep close to the edges of the pot so as not to damage the roots. Then, transfer it to a new pot by adding more potting soil to fill in the gaps.
