A Detailed Guide to Growing a Money Tree and Feng Shui Placement Precautions

The money tree is a very common, popular houseplant, and its auspicious symbolism makes it widely loved. The money tree is highly adaptable, liking light yet tolerating shade, so how do you grow a money tree? What should you pay attention to when it comes to feng shui placement?

1. The money tree's growth habits

1. Growth habits

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is an evergreen tree that likes high temperatures and high humidity, has poor cold tolerance, and its seedlings cannot tolerate frost; mature trees can withstand light frost and prolonged low temperatures of 5-6C. In South China it can overwinter outdoors, while in areas further north it must be moved into a greenhouse in winter to protect it from the cold. It likes fertile, loose, well-aerated, water-retentive sandy loam, prefers acidic soil, and dislikes alkaline or heavy clay soil. It is relatively tolerant of wet conditions and also slightly tolerant of drought.

2. Distribution range

The money tree is native to Costa Rica in Latin America, Australia, and some small islands in the Pacific Ocean, and it is also distributed in the tropical regions of southern China. The money tree is a perennial evergreen shrub that likes warm, humid environments and sunny or slightly shaded conditions. In recent years, through cultivation and selective breeding, it has widely entered urban and rural households across China, and it is grown in Hainan, the Leizhou Peninsula, and other areas.

In recent years it has been widely grown in North China and coastal areas, and it is very popular. The people of the capital especially love it!

2. How to grow a money tree

1. Choosing the pot and soil

Flower pot: Expert growers all know that when growing plants you need to consider the size of the pot, its breathability, and its depth, and choose according to the plant's habits.

Because the money tree's root system is not well developed, you cannot choose a pot with poor breathability or one that is too deep or too large and prone to water accumulation, as this can easily cause root rot due to watering problems. So it is recommended to use the method of a large pot holding a smaller pot to grow the money tree; this solves both the aesthetic problem and the water accumulation problem.

Soil: The money tree generally uses loose garden soil or peat soil, leaf mold, and coarse sand, with a small amount of compound fertilizer or chicken manure added as a base fertilizer and growing medium.

2. Water and fertilizer management

Watering: Watering is an important part of the money tree's care and management. With too little water, the branches and leaves grow slowly; with too much water, root rot and death may result; with a moderate amount of water, the branches and leaves are thick and full. Watering should follow the principle of preferring moist over dry, and next the “two more, two less” principle, namely watering more in the hot summer season and less in winter; watering more for large and medium plants in vigorous growth and less for newly potted small plants.

3. Fertilizing: The money tree is a flowering plant that likes fertilizer, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of common flowering plants.

Each year when repotting, apply sufficient base fertilizer, with a fertilizer-to-soil ratio of about 1:3 or even more. May to September is the money tree's growing season; fertilize once every 15 days with decomposed liquid fertilizer or a mixed flower fertilizer to promote deep roots and lush leaves.

4. Light and temperature

Light: The money tree likes high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight, and cannot be kept shaded for long periods. In home care it should be placed in a spot indoors with ample sunlight. When placing it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. Otherwise, because the leaves grow toward the light, the entire branches and leaves will become distorted. It also should not be moved suddenly from long-term shade into sunlight, as the leaves are easily scorched.

Temperature: The optimal temperature for money tree growth is between 20 and 30 degrees, so in winter the money tree is rather afraid of cold. When the temperature drops to 10 degrees it should be brought indoors; below 8 degrees it will suffer cold damage, with mild cases dropping leaves and severe cases dying. In winter, pay attention to cold-proofing and warmth measures.

In addition, every 3 to 5 days, use a spray bottle to mist the leaves once, increasing leaf moisture and raising air humidity; this both benefits photosynthesis and makes the branches and leaves look more attractive.

5. Propagation methods

There are mainly two propagation methods for the money tree: sowing or cuttings. Sowing propagation can be done as long as the temperature is kept above 20 degrees, and cuttings can be taken in May to June, using branches as cuttings for propagation.

6. Points to note

Repotting: As needed, repot in spring and prune the branches and leaves once to promote renewal of the branches and leaves.

Common pests and diseases: The common diseases of the money tree are mainly root rot and leaf blight, and during growth the larvae of the sugarcane flat moth can also cause damage. Also note that the money tree may show yellowing leaves and leaf drop, so observe promptly and prevent early.

Pruning: If the money tree is planted outdoors, no pruning is needed and it can simply be left to grow; but if it is grown in a pot as a foliage plant, then if not pruned in time it tends to grow too fast and lose its ornamental value. Timely pruning can control its growth rate and at the same time change its shape, making the plant more ornamental.

3. Feng shui placement of the money tree

1. Placement feng shui

Whether they are business people or ordinary households, people grow money trees in the hope of bringing in wealth from all sides. So before understanding the money tree's placement feng shui, you first need to understand the wealth position in the home.

For a Qian house facing southeast from the northwest, the wealth position is due west, northwest, and due north; for a Kun house facing northeast from the southwest, the wealth position is due east and southwest; for a Gen house facing southwest from the northeast, the wealth position is northwest and northeast; for a Kan house facing south from the north, the wealth position is southwest and due north; for a Li house facing north from the south, the wealth position is northeast and due south; for a Zhen house facing west from the east, the wealth position is due east and due north; for a Dui house facing east from the west, the wealth position is due south, northwest, and southeast; for a Xun house facing northwest from the southeast, the wealth position is southwest and southeast.

Once you clearly know the wealth position in your home, you can place the money tree in the corresponding spot, commonly called the feng shui position. Placing a money tree in the feng shui position makes the whole family feel more energized. The feng shui position is very suitable for placing bonsai to enhance wood-element energy. The bonsai should be kept healthy and lush, and dried flowers should be avoided because they accumulate yin energy; the money tree is the most popular choice. Some people put the money tree next to the television, not realizing that this violates a major feng shui taboo: the television belongs to the metal element in the five elements, and metal overcomes wood, which is unfavorable to wood-element energy. Therefore it is not recommended to place it next to the television.

When a company opens, the money tree is generally placed directly on both sides of the company's main entrance, symbolizing wealth rolling in.

2. Placement taboos

In feng shui, wherever there is an auspicious meaning, there are corresponding taboos. What taboos are there for placing a money tree?

The wealth position should not be empty: behind the wealth position there should be a solid wall, because it symbolizes having backing to rely on, ensuring no worries and thus achieving the goal of gathering and storing energy.

The wealth position should not be clashed: feng shui most taboo sharp corners pointing at it, so there should be no sharp corners near the wealth position, to avoid affecting wealth luck. Generally speaking, the closer a sharp corner is to the wealth position, the greater its clashing force. So near the wealth position, try to avoid placing furniture or objects with sharp corners.

The wealth position should not be defiled: if a toilet or bathroom happens to be located in the wealth position, that is very unfortunate. This is because it not only prevents the wealth position from bringing in wealth but also causes the family's wealth to be lost. The remedy: tidy up the wealth position. If the feng shui nature of the home's living room is also good, you can place the money tree in the living room, as long as it does not face a crossbeam or a toilet.

3. Can it be placed in the bedroom?

The bedroom is a place for people to sleep and rest, and it is best to create a quiet and beautiful atmosphere. Use small to medium-sized, elegant plants, such as asparagus fern, Calathea species, the money tree, and thornless succulents such as jewel plant, squirrel's paw, and aloe.

The money tree is generally rather large in size. From a care standpoint it can be placed there, but it should not be left for too long; if there are other flowering plants, they can be rotated, because leaving the same plant in place for too long at one time will affect its growth.