A Detailed Guide to Growing the Money Tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) in Water: Methods, Precautions, and Repotting Tips

Just hearing the name "money tree" gives the sense that it carries a very auspicious meaning, which is why it is so well loved, and nowadays very many people grow it in their homes. When growing it, however, most people choose the soil-culture method. In fact, the money tree can also be grown in water, but when growing it in water you must do some preparatory work in advance. Let's learn about it together below!

Methods and Precautions for Growing the Money Tree in Water

1. Water culture method:

1. Prepare a bottle and put some tap water in it. The bottle is best of the type shown in the picture below. Once you add water, you can leave it alone for a long time. Also, since the mouth of the bottle is small, the plant will not easily fall over once it is placed inside, which is convenient for its growth.

2. Take a branch from a large money tree; it cannot be put straight into the water. Soak it briefly in water and leave it in a cool place for half a day. Then place it in the bottle.

3. After the money tree is placed in the bottle, do not keep checking whether it has grown roots or whether the roots have rotted. Just pay attention to whether there is still water. The water should cover about five or six cm of the stem.

2. Precautions:

The money tree cannot stay in water for a long time. If you really want it to grow large, it needs to be planted in soil. Once its roots have grown long enough, it can be transplanted into soil.

How to Repot a Money Tree

1. When the money tree has grown to a certain point, it needs to be repotted. When repotting, first take the plant out of the flowerpot, remove the old soil, tidy up the root system, and then pot it again.

2. When repotting, you can slowly take the money tree plant out of the flowerpot: hold the outermost branches of the money tree plant, being careful not to damage the leaves, steady the flowerpot, and then slowly pull the money tree out of the pot. Alternatively, gently tap the bottom of the money tree's flowerpot a few times, then take the plant out and remove part of the potting soil.

3. Choose a new flowerpot; of course, if the old flowerpot can still meet the money tree's growing needs, you do not have to change it. Place some tile pieces at the bottom of the pot, then add soil; the soil can be peat soil. First put part of the peat soil into the pot, place the money tree plant in, and continue adding soil until the flowerpot is full. When placing the plant in, pay attention to the depth.

What to Do When Money Tree Leaves Turn Yellow

1. The roots have already rotted: take the plant out of the pot immediately. You can remove the plant from the pot and check whether the roots are rotten. If they are already rotten, remove the rotten roots and yellow leaves, and replant it in sterilised growing medium, or bury its base in clean sand, keep it in partial shade and control watering, only spraying the branches, leaves and surrounding area frequently, and let it grow new roots again before resuming normal care.

2. The roots are not rotten: move it to a spot in partial shade. If the roots are not rotten, the plant should be placed in partial shade. Because there are few leaves, the soil does not dry easily after watering, so watering should be controlled, and the leaves should be sprayed with water frequently to let the plant slowly return to normal growth.

What to Do When Money Tree Roots Rot

1. Reasonable care. Reasonable care of the money tree requires consistent effort in daily maintenance, basically including watering, fertilising and keeping it warm. Watering should follow the plant's growth needs; do not water too much, and also avoid waterlogging. When fertilising, remember not to use too strong a concentration or to fertilise too frequently; light, frequent feeding is best. This can help avoid root rot.

2. Replant. If the money tree still shows symptoms of root rot, then it needs to be replanted. Take out the plant with rotten roots, remove the soil; it is best to remove all the soil, cut away the rotten roots, soak them in a carbendazim solution or sprinkle on some charcoal, leave them in a cool place to dry, and then pot and plant them again. Some branches and leaves can be cut off to help it survive better.

When growing the money tree in water, you must ensure good water quality, and the choice of bottle is also very important. In the later stage of growing it, be sure to remember to transplant it into a pot. When growing the money tree, you may encounter yellowing leaves or root rot; do not panic, find out the cause and then solve it thoroughly.