How to Prune a Money Tree? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Pruning Methods

The money tree is also known as Malabar chestnut, Gua Li, Central American kapok, and goose-foot money, among other names. It is an evergreen small tree of the Bombacaceae family, native to Costa Rica in Latin America, Australia, and some small islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is also distributed in the tropical regions of southern China, and is now a popular potted plant with high ornamental value. Let us take a look at the pruning methods for the money tree!

The Growth Habits of the Money Tree

The money tree is a perennial evergreen shrub that prefers a warm, humid, sunny or slightly shaded environment. It grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil, with an optimum growth temperature of 20°C to 30°C. The high-temperature and high-humidity season of summer is very favorable for the growth of the money tree, as it is the fastest growing period, so fertilizer and water management should be strengthened at this stage to make it grow robustly. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 5°C, and it is best to maintain 18°C to 20°C. It dislikes cold and damp conditions; in a humid environment, the leaves are very prone to ulcer-like frost spots, which detracts from its ornamental value.

Pruning Methods for the Money Tree

1. Timing: The best time to prune a money tree is in spring and summer, when the plant is growing vigorously. Pruning at this time helps the money tree recover quickly and grow new branches and leaves.

2. Watering: Improper watering can cause yellow leaves or even death of the money tree, especially when pruning branches. The money tree itself is a very drought-tolerant plant, with a capacity comparable to that of a cactus. Now that the branches have been cut off, the water consumed through leaf metabolism is greatly reduced. If watered too much, water will accumulate at the roots and cause rot. As for why the money tree is so drought-tolerant, it is mainly because its thick stem can store a large amount of water and nutrients.

3. Fertilizer: The money tree is a fertilizer-loving plant. When pruning a money tree, pay special attention to fertilizing; nitrogen fertilizer can be applied appropriately to help it recover better.

4. Light: After pruning, the money tree needs sufficient light, preferably diffused light. It must not be exposed to direct strong light, which would harm the money tree, nor should it be placed in a shaded area, which is not conducive to its growth.

Care and Management of the Money Tree

1. The money tree prefers high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight, and cannot be kept in shade for long periods. 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 are phototropic, the entire branches and leaves will become distorted. In addition, every 3 to 5 days, use a spray bottle to spray water on the leaves once. This not only facilitates photosynthesis but also makes the branches and leaves look more attractive.

2. The money tree is a fertilizer-loving flowering plant, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of common other flowering plants. When repotting each year, the proportion of fertilized soil can account for 1/3, or even more. Fertilized soil has a wide range of sources; you can collect leaf mold from broadleaf tree litter, add a small amount of garden soil, mixed bone meal, and soybean cake residue to prepare it. This fertilized soil is highly effective and easy to obtain, but it should be fully decomposed to avoid “burning” the leaves yellow.

3. During the growing season of the money tree (May to September), every 15 days, apply a decomposed liquid fertilizer or a mixed flower-growing fertilizer once to promote deep roots and lush leaves. Normally keep the potting soil moist; in winter, keep the potting soil on the dry side and avoid wetness. Otherwise, the leaf tips are prone to scorching, and even the leaves may fall off. Prune and repot once every 1 to 2 years, and switch to a slightly larger pot year by year. At the same time, add base fertilizer and replace with new nutrient soil so that it grows robustly.

4. The money tree has relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity. If the temperature is low or humidity is lacking, leaf drop often occurs, and in severe cases the branches become bare, which not only detracts from its ornamental value but also easily causes the plant to die. Therefore, during cultivation, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C and to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase the necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, care should be taken to protect it from cold and freezing during the winter.

Note: Small money trees are not suitable for pruning. For those under 30 cm in height, the side buds should be pruned to let them grow taller and thicker. When the base is thick enough, cut off the top.