How to grow the leaves of the money tree wide and large

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970 0 views

On a winter balcony, outside the window everything is withered and yellow, while inside there is a touch of green. This touch of green is a pot of money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). It gets its name because its leaves are like coins and are arranged neatly and orderly. Since it is a succulent plant, of course it is considered beautiful when its leaves grow wide and thick. So how can you grow it so its leaves become wide and large? Readers, please read on.

1. Temperature

If you want the leaves of the money tree to grow wide and large, the temperature must be suitable. The temperature at which it grows well is between 20-32°C. When the temperature is too high in summer, pay attention to cooling it down. For those planted in fields, black netting can be used to block the strong summer light; potted plants can be moved to a shady place. The temperature in autumn and winter is no longer suitable for its growth. For those planted in fields, a greenhouse must be used to keep it warm; potted plants can be placed indoors, and having heating is of course better. If there is no heating, other methods must also be found to keep it warm.

2. Light

The leaves of the money tree contain a lot of water and feel very tender. This makes it both need sunlight and fear direct strong light. Especially the sunlight at noon in summer is too scorching and may very likely burn its tender leaves. But if you want the leaves to grow wide and large, it greatly needs the nourishment of sunlight and rain, so you can create a semi-shaded environment for it, ensuring both the sunlight it needs for growth and preventing it from being burned by strong light.

3. Humidity

The money tree likes a moist environment, but at the same time it is also very drought-tolerant, so it should be given an environment with moist air and relatively dry potting soil. In summer, air humidity generally exceeds 50%, so there is no need to think about it too much, but it is best to water once every day, keeping the soil slightly moist. In other seasons, the air humidity may not be adequate. To increase humidity, you can spray water around the plant.

4. Potting soil

For potted money trees, it is best to repot once every two years, because it is relatively drought-tolerant and requires potting soil with good permeability. However, after being potted for a long time, the stickiness of the potting soil increases, which is not good for air and water permeability and can easily cause root rot. For the potting soil, you can choose coarse sand and charcoal ash, plus a small amount of field soil mixed together. This kind of soil drains easily and is not prone to water accumulation. As for the acidity and alkalinity of the potting soil, it is best to keep it slightly acidic.

5. Fertilizing

When the temperature is suitable, the money tree grows vigorously, so it needs plenty of fertilizer to ensure nutrition and let the leaves grow wide and large. In autumn, when the temperature is below 15°C, it needs very few nutrients, so do not fertilize, otherwise the roots may very likely be burned and rotted by the fertilizer.