How to Grow a Money Tree? A Detailed Guide to Proper Care
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) likes a growing environment with high temperatures, humidity and plenty of sunlight. Giving it a certain amount of light during the growing season can shorten the leaf nodes, thicken the swollen base of the trunk, and make the whole plant more compact and full. If it is kept in insufficient light for a long time, it will grow into a thin, tall shape. But it should not be kept indoors for a long time, and then moved outdoors into blazing sun. Otherwise it will cause leaf scorch.
When the light is too strong in summer, it needs appropriate shading. The money tree is not cold-hardy: below 15°C the leaves begin to turn yellow, and below 10°C the leaves gradually fall off, or the plant may even die. Therefore, in northern regions it should be moved indoors in late September, and the room temperature should be kept above 10°C for it to survive the winter safely. The money tree likes loose, fertile sandy loam; when potting, add a small amount of organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer. It is best to plant it shallowly in a medium or large pot, exposing as much of the swollen trunk as possible.
June to September is the period of vigorous growth, when it should be watered thoroughly to keep the potting soil moist. During the seedling stage, apply nitrogen fertilizer frequently to encourage the trunk to form early. After the top is cut off, reduce fertilizing; depending on leaf growth, spray a dilute nitrogen fertilizer once a month. When the winter temperature is low at 4, reduce watering so the potting soil stays slightly dry, and stop fertilizing, to improve the plant's cold resistance.
How to Care for a Money Tree
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) likes a growing environment with high temperatures, humidity and plenty of sunlight. Giving it a certain amount of light during the growing season can shorten the leaf nodes, thicken the swollen base of the trunk, and make the whole plant more compact and full. If it is kept in insufficient light for a long time, it will grow into a thin, tall shape. But it should not be kept indoors for a long time, and then moved outdoors into blazing sun. Otherwise it will cause leaf scorch. When the light is too strong in summer, it needs appropriate shading.
The money tree is not cold-hardy: below 15°C the leaves begin to turn yellow, and below 10°C the leaves gradually fall off, or the plant may even die. Therefore, in northern regions it should be moved indoors in late September, and the room temperature should be kept above 10°C for it to survive the winter safely.
The money tree likes loose, fertile sandy loam; when potting, add a small amount of organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer. It is best to plant it shallowly in a medium or large pot, exposing as much of the swollen trunk as possible.
June to September is the period of vigorous growth, when it should be watered thoroughly to keep the potting soil moist. During the seedling stage, apply nitrogen fertilizer frequently to encourage the trunk to form early. After the top is cut off, reduce fertilizing; depending on leaf growth, spray a dilute nitrogen fertilizer once a month. When the winter temperature is low, reduce watering so the potting soil stays slightly dry, and stop fertilizing, to improve the plant's cold resistance.
How to Care for a Money Tree
The money tree, also known as Gua Li and Ma La Ma Li, is an evergreen small tree of the Bombacaceae family. It is native to Mexico and Costa Rica. It has palmate leaves with 7-11 leaflets, which are oblong to obovate. There is a horticultural variety, the variegated money tree.Because the name "money tree" is very popular with merchants and ordinary citizens, and because of its beautiful plant shape, bright green leaves and hammer-shaped trunk, it is suitable for indoor display and decoration after potting, so in recent years it has developed very quickly in our country's flower market. During festivals, hotels, restaurants, merchants and citizens alike rush to buy it, hoping for good luck and good fortune.
Cultivation points:
1. Temperature: The minimum winter temperature is 16-18°C; below this temperature the leaves turn yellow and fall off; below 10°C it easily dies.
2. Light: The money tree is a strongly sun-loving plant, and is grown in the open ground in places such as Hainan Island. But this plant has a fairly strong tolerance for shade, and can be enjoyed indoors in a place with weak light for 2-4 weeks in a row. After that, place it in a place with strong light.
3. Water: During the high-temperature growing period it needs sufficient water; but it has fairly strong drought tolerance, and will not be harmed if not watered for several days. But avoid water accumulating in the pot. Reduce watering in winter.
4. Air temperature: During the growing period it likes higher air temperature; you can often spray a small amount of water on the leaf surface.
5. Repotting: Repot in spring as needed.