Money Tree Care Guide and Precautions: How to Grow It Lush and Thriving

Many people who have just finished renovating a new home or new office, besides opening the windows for ventilation, use plants like the money tree and pothos to absorb formaldehyde. But when it comes to the specific care methods and precautions for the money tree, many people still do not know much. Below, we will walk you through step by step how to grow a lush and thriving money tree!

1. Introduction to the Money Tree

1. Money tree is what most people call it; in other places it is also called dragon-and-phoenix wood, Zamioculcas, or beautiful iron taro. In fact, its scientific name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant), a green plant native to tropical and subtropical climate regions. It is an indoor foliage plant that was introduced to China from Africa in the 1990s.

2. The above-ground part of the money tree has no main stem, while underground it has a fat, blocky stem. The plant height ranges from 50 to 80 cm. Because the leaflets on its leaf axis are plump and glossy, and the leaves are arranged in a feather-like pattern, they really look like a string of hanging copper coins, which is why it is called the money tree.

2. Money Tree Care Methods and Precautions

Plants grow differently from animals; they can carry out photosynthesis themselves to provide their own nutrients. But if you want to grow a money tree well at home, soil, water and fertilizer, and light are all indispensable conditions.

(1) Choosing soil for the money tree

1. The money tree likes loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic or acidic organic soil. So when preparing the growing medium for the money tree, you can choose to mix peat soil, coarse sand, and garden soil, and keep the soil pH at a slightly acidic or acidic state.

2. The container for growing the money tree can be made of ceramic, plastic, or other materials. Repot about once every two years, and choose the size of the pot according to the growth of the money tree. When repotting, be careful not to damage the money tree's large tuberous stem.

(2) Controlling light for the money tree

1. The money tree is a plant native to Africa and likes warm, hot environments with plenty of light. The suitable growing temperature is 20 to 30 degrees. Therefore, in summer when temperatures are high and the sun is strong, be sure to shade the money tree, or move it indoors or to another cool place; in winter, be sure to take measures to keep the money tree warm, but also ensure a certain amount of light time.

2. Although the money tree likes light, it hates exposure to intense sun. Generally, on a bright sunny day just after rain, and in the early afternoon of summer, do not place the money tree under the sun, to avoid scorching the leaves and new buds.

(3) Getting watering right for the money tree

1. Although the money tree is fairly drought-tolerant, you still need to pay attention to the moisture level of the soil in the pot. If the money tree's leaves have wilted or turned yellow, and the soil is relatively dry, you need to water it. Generally, water once every five days or once a week.

2. In summer and autumn, you can appropriately shorten the watering interval for the money tree; water once every three to five days, and the amount of water each time can be slightly more, but do not let water accumulate in the pot.

3. Winter is the dormant period for most plants. At this time, the watering interval should be lengthened and the amount of water reduced, to prevent root rot. In addition to watering the money tree, you can also spray water around the plant to increase the humidity in the air so the money tree grows better.

(4) Applying fertilizer to the money tree

1. The money tree likes fertile soil. In addition to mixing some fertilizer into the soil, you also need to apply nitrogen fertilizer under suitable growing temperature conditions, once every ten days to half a month. If the temperature is too high or too low, apply fertilizer once a month.

2. In August and September of autumn, you can stop applying nitrogen fertilizer to the money tree. If the temperature is below 15 degrees, stop applying all fertilizers. Also note that every time you fertilize the money tree, you must dilute it with water. You can fertilize multiple times, but each time the fertilizer must not be too concentrated.

(5) Preventing and controlling pests and diseases of the money tree

1. During the care of the money tree, problems such as brown spot disease, southern blight, and scale insects are prone to appear. If discovered early, first remove and destroy the affected branches and leaves and nearby ones, then spray with the corresponding insecticidal and fungicidal solution.

2. Besides pests and diseases, the money tree may also suffer cold damage and scorching. To avoid cold damage, pay attention to keeping the plant warm; you can move the plant indoors or put a plastic bag over it at night to keep it warm. For scorching, avoid exposing the money tree to strong sun and provide shade in time.

In addition, a reminder to friends growing money trees: the sap of the money tree is irritating, so avoid getting it on the skin, facial features, or in the mouth. Also be careful not to place it where children and pets can reach it, to avoid accidents.

3. Placement of the Money Tree

Besides growing a good money tree, where to place it also matters a lot. Let's take a look below.

1. The living room, study, and balcony at home: the money tree symbolizes bringing in wealth and good fortune. Placing it in the living room, study, and other places has a good meaning of attracting wealth.

2. The company office: besides purifying the air, the money tree's lush green branches and leaves can also make people feel happy, and it also signifies that the company will have rolling wealth.

3. Be careful not to place the money tree in the bedroom, bathroom, or under the air conditioner in the office: besides being slightly toxic, in feng shui terms it clashes with the bedroom, so it is not suitable for the bedroom. The bathroom is a yin place, so it is even less suitable for placement. Placing the money tree under an air conditioner can easily cause its death.

After reading all of the above, do you now feel confident about how to grow a lush and thriving money tree? We hope this lush, vibrant money tree brings you good luck!