A money tree is a small, steady presence. Five slender trunks woven into one braid, a crown of hand shaped leaves, and a habit of turning slowly toward the light like it is listening. It asks for bright light, a careful hand with the watering can, and a little patience. Give it those and it will grow with you for years.
Money tree care at a glance
| Light | Bright indirect light. An east or west window is ideal. Medium light works with slower growth. |
| Water | When the top two inches of soil are dry. About every one to two weeks in summer, every two to three in winter. |
| Soil | A light, airy potting mix with perlite or bark mixed in. |
| Pot | A drainage hole always. Choose a heavier planter for taller trees. |
| Temperature | 65 to 80°F. Keep above 50°F and away from drafts. |
| Humidity | Average home air is fine. It enjoys a little extra. |
| Feeding | Half strength balanced fertilizer monthly in spring and summer. |
| Pets | Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. |
| Care level | Gentle routine. Easy once you find its watering rhythm. |
Light
Money trees grow wild along riverbanks in Central and South America, under a canopy that breaks the sun into dappled light. Indoors, that means a spot a few feet from a bright window, where the plant sees the sky most of the day without hot sun landing on its leaves. Morning sun is lovely. Strong afternoon sun through glass can scorch the leaves pale or brown.
Your tree will lean toward its window. Give the pot a quarter turn every week or two and the crown stays full and even. In a darker room it will hold on, though it grows leggy and drops older leaves to save energy. Our houseplant light guide helps you read the light in each room.
Watering
This is where most money trees struggle. The name Pachira aquatica makes people think it wants wet feet. It grows near water in nature, but in a pot, soil that stays soggy rots the roots and the base of the braid.
The check: push a finger two inches into the soil. Dry at your fingertip means water. Cool and damp means wait a few days. For small pots, lifting works well too: a pot ready for water feels noticeably lighter.
When you water, water slowly until it runs from the drainage hole, let it drain, and empty the saucer after fifteen minutes. A deep drink followed by a dry spell keeps the roots healthy. Never let the pot sit in standing water.
The braid
A braided money tree is usually three to five young trees planted together and woven while their trunks are soft. Each trunk has its own roots, which is why the braid needs a little extra attention.
- Squeeze the trunks gently every few weeks. They should feel firm, like a broom handle.
- A trunk that feels soft, wrinkled or dark at the base is rotting, almost always from too much water. Unpot the plant, carefully unwind the braid enough to lift out that one trunk, trim any dark soft roots on the others, and repot in fresh, dry mix. The remaining trunks carry on happily.
- Ties and tags left from the nursery can cut into growing trunks. Loosen or remove any tie that looks tight.
- Keeping the braid going is optional. Trunks thicken slowly and hold their shape. If you want to extend the braid, gently weave new green growth at the top while it is still flexible, and tie it loosely with soft garden tape.
Soil and pots
Use a quality indoor potting mix and stir in a few handfuls of perlite or orchid bark so water moves through quickly and air reaches the roots. The mix should dry out within a week or so in summer.
Money trees grow upright and can get top heavy, especially the taller sizes. A ceramic or stoneware planter with some weight keeps the tree steady. Choose one with a drainage hole that is about an inch or two wider than the grower pot. Our pot size and drainage guide walks you through fit, and planters with drainage and a saucer make a calm, simple match.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years in spring, or when roots circle the bottom or poke from the drainage hole. Go up just one pot size. A pot that is too big holds extra wet soil, which is exactly what a money tree dislikes. Our repotting guide makes it a slow, easy Sunday task.
Reading the leaves
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to do |
| Yellow leaves, several at once | Overwatering, especially in winter | Let the soil dry deeper, check trunks and roots for softness |
| One or two lower leaves yellowing slowly | Natural aging | Normal. Pluck them once they release easily |
| Leaves dropping suddenly | A move, a cold draft or a shipping journey | Keep it in one bright spot and let it settle for a few weeks |
| Brown, crispy edges or tips | Dry air, uneven watering or too much direct sun | Keep a steady rhythm, move out of harsh sun |
| Brown spots with yellow halos | Soil staying wet too long | Water less often and improve drainage |
| Long, stretched stems with few leaves | Not enough light | Move closer to a window, then prune to encourage fullness |
| Soft, dark trunk | Root or trunk rot | Remove that trunk from the braid as described above |
A little leaf drop after your tree arrives is common. Money trees are sensitive to change, and most settle within a month. Our guide to helping a shipped houseplant adjust covers those first weeks.
Pruning and shaping
In spring or summer, snip leggy stems just above a leaf node with clean scissors. New growth usually branches from just below the cut, so pruning makes the crown fuller and keeps the tree at the height you like. Money trees respond so well to shaping that they are often grown as bonsai.
Propagation
Take a four to six inch stem cutting with two or three leaves in spring or summer. Remove the lowest leaf, set the cut end in water or moist mix, and keep it warm and bright. Roots form in about a month. A cutting grows as a single stem; braids are made from several young trees together.
Pets
Money trees are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes them a welcome choice for homes with curious pets. Any plant can upset a stomach if eaten in quantity, so discourage chewing and keep fertilizer out of reach. You can find more in our pet friendly plants and our pet safe houseplants guide.
Winter care
Growth slows as the days shorten. Water less often, skip fertilizer, and keep the tree away from cold windows, doors and heater vents. A few yellow leaves in winter are normal. Our winter houseplant care guide covers the quiet season.
Money tree or Chinese money plant?
They share a nickname and nothing else. The money tree is Pachira aquatica, an upright tree with a woody trunk and hand shaped leaves. The Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is a small, round leaved foliage plant for desks and shelves. Both are easy going and both are pet friendly.
Quick answers
How often should I water a money tree? When the top two inches of soil are dry. Often every one to two weeks in warm months and every two to three weeks in winter.
Why are my money tree leaves turning yellow? Usually too much water. Check that the pot drains, let the soil dry deeper, and squeeze the trunks to make sure none are soft.
Can a money tree live in low light? It can get by in medium light, but it will stretch and shed leaves in a dim room. Bright indirect light keeps it full.
Do money trees bring good luck? In feng shui tradition, yes, which is why they are a favorite housewarming and new business gift. We think the real gift is a small daily ritual of care.
How big do money trees get indoors? Usually three to six feet over many years, and you can keep yours smaller with pruning.
Bring one home
Our braided Money Tree comes in several pot sizes, from a small desk tree to a statement floor plant. Pair it with a plant stand or riser to lift it into the light.
More guides from Planty Things
- Rubber plant care guide
- ZZ plant care guide
- Snake plant care guide
- Monstera care guide
- Houseplant root rot guide
And if your money tree ever looks unsure of itself, send a photo to mike@plantylove.co. We are always happy to help.