How Often Should You Water a Money Tree? Grow It This Way for Lush, Thriving Foliage

In China, green potted plants that symbolize “bringing wealth” are hot-selling varieties on the market, and the money tree is one of the most prominent among them. But growing a money tree well is not as simple as we might imagine. So how often does a money tree need to be watered? How should you care for it to make it lush?

I. How often does a money tree need to be watered?

1. The principles of watering a money tree

When caring for a money tree, you should “avoid wetness rather than dryness,” because the money tree originates in Africa and is a fairly drought-tolerant plant. Overwatering easily causes water to accumulate at the roots, leading to root rot, which in turn causes yellowing leaves and leaf drop.

2. The frequency of watering a money tree

How often to water a money tree should be judged according to the size of the money tree you are growing and the actual environment. Based on feedback from gardening enthusiasts, it can usually be watered about once every 5-7 days. Generally, larger money trees can be watered at longer intervals, while smaller ones can be watered somewhat more frequently.

In fact, when you see that the leaves of your money tree are slightly wilting, that is the most suitable time to water it.

In addition, summer and early autumn have higher temperatures and drier air, so you need to water a bit more to increase humidity, while winter is the dormant period for the money tree, and watering can basically be spaced more than half a month apart.

II. How should you care for a money tree to make it lush?

If you want your money tree to grow lushly, besides controlling the amount and timing of watering, you should also pay attention to the following aspects.

1. Keep the environment warm

As a tropical plant, the money tree's optimal growing temperature is 20-35°C. Temperatures that are too high or too low will trigger some health problems. Therefore, for gardening enthusiasts in the north or in regions with large annual temperature differences, it is necessary to take measures for ventilation and cooling in summer and cold protection and warmth in winter to ensure the normal growth of the money tree.

2. Ensure sufficient light

It is usually most suitable to place the money tree where it can receive scattered sunlight. If light is insufficient for a long time, the plant may develop fungal infections and pest problems.

3. Pay attention to controlling fertilization

When growing a money tree, you must apply a good base fertilizer. You can choose a slow- and controlled-release fertilizer as the base fertilizer, and afterward apply some dilute liquid fertilizer monthly and spray it on the leaves. In addition, to prevent yellowing leaves, you can mix in some ferrous sulfate solution when spraying the liquid fertilizer.

Warm reminder: Although the money tree does not have very strict requirements for soil, if conditions permit, it is best to prepare a special soil growing medium yourself. A slightly acidic garden soil with strong permeability mixed with an appropriate amount of peat and coarse sand will do. When preparing it, you can mix a little extra for backup, so that when water accumulates in the pot, you can replace the soil in time.