How to Grow a Money Tree Bonsai? A Detailed Guide to Care Methods and Tips

As a potted plant, the money tree is loved by many flower enthusiasts. The money tree is also fairly easy to grow, and even beginners can keep one. So how do you grow a money tree bonsai so it thrives?

1. What is a money tree?

The money tree's scientific name is Pachira aquatica (Malabar chestnut). It is a small tree in the Malvaceae family, native to Mexico in Central America through Costa Rica, and is currently cultivated in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan, China.

The money tree belongs to the order Malvales, family Malvaceae, genus Pachira. It likes high temperatures and high humidity and has poor cold tolerance. Seedlings cannot tolerate frost. If winter temperatures are low, it must be kept indoors and kept warm.

Money tree leaflets number 5-11, with short stalks or nearly no stalks, oblong to obovate-oblong; flowers are solitary at the leaf axils of branch tips; the pedicel is thick and sturdy, 2 cm long; seeds are large, irregularly ladder-shaped and wedge-shaped, with a dark brown seed coat and white spiral lines, containing multiple embryos; the flowering period is generally from May to November each year.

2. How do you grow a money tree bonsai?

1. Soil: The money tree likes acidic soil. Fertile, loose, breathable and water-retentive sandy loam is most suitable for its growth;

2. Light: The money tree likes light and moisture, so place it in an environment with plenty of sunlight, with the leaves facing the sun, but avoid scorching exposure;

3. Watering: Water more in summer and less in winter;

4. Fertilizing: Apply fertilizer once every half month during the growing season.

The money tree likes high temperatures and moderate humidity. In summer it grows rapidly and needs plenty of water, so it should be watered 1-2 times a day; in winter, semi-finished plants being cared for must be kept with the potting soil appropriately dry, and watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet.

Keeping the ambient temperature at around 25-38 degrees C and humidity at around 50%-75% is most suitable for the money tree's growth. Humidity must not be too high, because it will cause pathogens to breed. Watering should aim to keep the potting soil evenly moist.