How much does a money tree cost? Types and home care methods

The money tree is also known as Malabar chestnut, Gua li, Chinese and American kapok, and goose-foot money. It is also distributed in the tropical regions of southern China. So how much does a money tree cost? What types are there? How to care for it at home? Actually, the money tree is a popular potted plant; it can be sown when the temperature is above 20°C, and the germination rate of sowing is quite high. Compared with bought cutting potted plants, a money tree grown from seed by yourself is easier to care for.

How much does a money tree cost?

1. Small ones, 10 yuan/plant    2. Large ones, 80 yuan/plant

What types of money tree are there?

1. Taiwan money tree

The Taiwan money tree, Chinese name Malabar chestnut, is native to Mexico, and is most widely cultivated in Taiwan, China. Most of the plants cultivated in mainland China are introduced from Taiwan, China.

2. Large-leaf money tree

The large-leaf money tree, originally named Queensland umbrella tree, is native to Australia.

3. Money beauty tree

The money beauty tree is Schefflera octophylla, belonging to the Araliaceae family, produced in Taiwan, China, Guangdong, Hong Kong, China, Fujian, Hainan Island and other places.

All three have compound leaves. On the former, most leaf stalks bear six or seven leaflets each, but some bear eight. Because “eight” is homophonous with “prosper”, some flower shop owners prettify the name as “money tree”.

How to care for it at home?

The money tree is a perennial evergreen shrub, native to the Malay Peninsula and the South Sea Islands. In recent years, through cultivation and selection, it has widely entered urban and rural households in China. For home cultivation, based on its living habits of liking high temperature and high humidity and not tolerating frost or dryness, focus on grasping the following four points:

1. Pay attention to sunlight

The money tree likes high temperature, humidity and sunlight, and cannot be shaded for a long time. Therefore, during care and management it should be placed in a sunny spot indoors. 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. In addition, every 3 to 5 days, spray water on the leaves once with a spray bottle. This not only helps photosynthesis proceed, but also makes the branches and leaves look more beautiful.

2. Pay attention to watering

Watering is an important part of the care and management process. If the amount of water is small, the development of branches and leaves stagnates; if the amount of water is too large, it may cause root rot and death; if the amount of water is moderate, the branches and leaves grow thick and large. The first principle of watering is to prefer wet over dry, and the second is “two more, two less”, that is, water more in the high-temperature summer season and water less in winter; water more for large and medium-sized plants in vigorous growth, and water less for newly divided and potted small plants. When the watering amount is too large, it easily causes root rot, causing the leaves to droop, lose luster, or even fall off. At this time, it should immediately be moved to a cool place, the watering amount reduced to the minimum, as long as the potting soil is not dry, and water sprayed on the leaf surface multiple times a day with a spray bottle, stopping fertilizer water. After about 15 to 20 days, it can gradually recover.

3. Pay attention to fertilizing

The money tree is a flowering plant that likes fertilizer, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of common other flowering plants. When repotting each year, the proportion of fertile soil can account for 1/3, or even more. Fertile soil has a wide range of sources; you can collect humus soil from the fallen leaves of broadleaf trees, add a little garden soil and mixed bone meal and bean cake residue, and mix them together. This fertile soil has high effectiveness, is convenient and easy to obtain, but it should be fully decomposed, so as not to “burn” the leaves yellow. In addition, during the growth period of the money tree (May to September), every 15 days, apply once decomposed liquid fertilizer or a mixed flower-growing fertilizer to promote deep roots and lush leaves.

4. Pay attention to temperature and humidity

The money tree has relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity. If the temperature is relatively low or humidity is lacking, leaf drop often occurs. In severe cases, the branches become bare, which not only hinders viewing, but also very easily causes the plant to die. Therefore, during cultivation and care, attention should be paid to maintaining a temperature above 15°C, and frequently spraying water on the branches and leaves to increase necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, attention should be paid to overwintering cold protection and freeze protection management.

Landscape uses of the money tree:

1. As a stump landscape tree

Because the money tree has a very strong sprouting rate, after some pruning work it can quickly grow new branches and leaves, so the money tree can always maintain a lush appearance. To use the money tree as a uniquely shaped stump landscape tree, it is necessary in the young plant stage to bend and bind 3~5 plants or braid and bind them, and after the money tree grows up, carry out trunk truncation treatment.

2. As a courtyard shade tree

In landscaping, the money tree can be used as a courtyard shade tree to provide shade. In early landscaping, the money tree was often planted alone or in opposite pairs to build a cool and comfortable garden environment and block the scorching sun. Later, the money tree was used on garden green spaces, and was also often planted in some scenic spots. The money tree is an evergreen tall tree, which can grow a trunk of 10m, and the crown spread is large, forming a large green shade, which can block the scorching sun, regulate temperature, and bring a good and highly comfortable resting environment. The leaves of the money tree are flat, have no bad odor, and its growth and reproductive ability are strong, so it can adapt to different ecological environments. The tree shape of the money tree also has high ornamental value. These characteristics determine that it can be widely used by landscaping workers. When specifically applying it as a courtyard shade tree, the planting can be decided as opposite planting, single planting or cluster planting according to the actual size of the garden site area and the height of surrounding buildings.

3. As a street tree

In garden greening work, the money tree can be used as a street tree. The money tree is a tree species that roots easily, has a developed root system, and can itself store a large amount of water. It needs little water and has strong drought tolerance, so it does not need frequent irrigation; the money tree has strong growth ability and few pests and diseases, so it is easy to manage and care for in gardens; the money tree has strong adaptability, a wide application range, and rapid growth, and can undergo repeated pruning work; its tree shape is beautiful and its crown width is large, so it can form a large green shade. It is very suitable as a street tree, cultivated in green belts on sidewalks or in median green lanes and other places, and can very well improve the overall ecological quality of the garden environment. A money tree used as a street tree needs to grow according to its natural tree shape, and the seven branching points need to have a high height to satisfy the normal passage of pedestrians and vehicles on the road. When the street road surface is relatively narrow or large vehicles need to pass, the branching point of the money tree should be kept above 3.0~3.5m. When the street road surface is relatively wide or it is in a pedestrian commercial street, the branching point of the money tree can be kept between 2.5~3.0m. When the turning radius of the street is very small or there is no good field of view, the money tree should not be planted on the street, to prevent the money tree from blocking the sight lines of pedestrians or vehicle drivers.

The flower language of the money tree:

1. Bringing in wealth and treasure

Placing a pot of money tree in the southeast direction helps bring in wealth and treasure. Clear away the clutter piled in the southeast position, then move away metal-element items that destroy wood-element energy, and you can begin planning the wealth-attracting feng shui of the southeast position. Colors that strengthen the energy of the southeast position include deep blue, which belongs to water, and green, which belongs to wood. The money tree is the best choice.

2. Feng shui meaning

Placing a money tree in a feng shui position makes the whole family more spirited. Feng shui positions are very suitable for placing bonsai to enhance wood-element energy. The bonsai should be kept healthy and lush; avoid using dried flowers, because they accumulate yin energy. The money tree is the most popular choice.

3. Meaning wealth

The meaning of the name is self-evident: wealth. Because the thick leaves of the money tree are rich in water, it needs a lot of sunlight and very little water. In winter, the money tree enters a dormant state, needs even less water, and any fertilizer rich in potassium is suitable for the money tree. If you are lucky, the money tree will bloom in December or July, and at this time unexpected wealth is very likely to arrive.

4. Money nurturing money

Placing a large-denomination banknote under the money tree has the effect of using money to nurture money. The money tree is already a decorative item with great symbolic meaning, and with money placed underneath, it is even more conducive to gathering wealth.