How To Grow Money Tree: The Complete Care Guide

Introduction

If you want to learn how to grow Money Trees indoors, you’re in excellent company — Pachira aquatica has become one of the most beloved and recognizable houseplants in the world. Native to the wetlands and swamp forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico through Brazil, this striking tropical tree is celebrated for its distinctive braided trunk, palmate compound leaves, and its cultural association with good fortune and prosperity in Feng Shui traditions. In its natural habitat, Money Trees can soar to 60 feet or more and produce showy, cream-colored flowers with dramatic stamens, but indoors they remain a manageable and elegant specimen, typically reaching three to six feet in height.

What makes Money Trees such exceptional houseplants is their adaptability. They tolerate a range of indoor light conditions, they’re forgiving of occasional watering lapses, and — crucially for pet owners — they are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Whether you place one in a living room corner, a bright office, or a bathroom with good natural light, Money Trees bring a lush, tropical aesthetic to any space. Their braided trunks and glossy feather-shaped leaves make them popular statement plants, typically trained during nursery production, adding a sculptural quality that few other houseplants can match.

Light Requirements

Money Trees thrive in bright, indirect light, which mimics the dappled sunlight they receive beneath the canopy of tropical forests. They are remarkably adaptable, however, and can tolerate medium indirect light — around 200–400 foot-candles — without significant stress. For optimal growth and the fullest, most vibrant foliage, aim for 400–800 foot-candles of brightness for at least six to eight hours per day.

How to Grow Money Trees in Various Light Conditions

Place your Money Tree near an east-facing window for gentle morning sun, or a few feet back from a south- or west-facing window where it receives filtered light. Direct afternoon sun, especially through south- or west-facing glass during summer, can scorch the leaves, causing bleached or brown patches. If your only option is a south-facing window, use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light. North-facing windows can work, but growth will be slower and the plant may become leggy as it stretches toward the light source. For guidance on matching plants to your specific light conditions, explore the resources available in the Shopifarm plant database, or check our tips on houseplants and direct sunlight.

Signs of light issues: Pale, washed-out leaves or brown, crispy patches indicate too much direct sun. Leggy stems with elongated internodes, smaller-than-normal leaves, or a pronounced lean toward the window suggest insufficient light. Rotate your plant a quarter turn every one to two weeks to encourage even, balanced growth.

Artificial lighting: Money Trees respond well to full-spectrum LED grow lights. Position the light 12–18 inches above the plant and run it for 10–12 hours daily to supplement low natural light during the short, dim days of winter.

Watering Guide

Proper watering is arguably the most critical aspect of Money Tree care. These plants prefer a moderately moist but never waterlogged growing medium. Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry out between waterings — insert your finger into the soil to check, or use a moisture meter for greater precision.

During the active growing season (spring through early fall), you’ll likely water every one to two weeks depending on pot size, soil composition, temperature, and humidity. In winter, when growth slows and evaporation decreases, reduce watering frequency to every two to three weeks. Always water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the pot, then empty the saucer after 15–30 minutes to prevent the roots from sitting in standing water.

Water quality: Money Trees are not overly sensitive to water chemistry, but they prefer water that has been allowed to sit overnight to off-gas chlorine, or filtered water. They can be sensitive to fluoride at high concentrations, which may cause minor leaf tip browning over time.

Signs of watering problems: Overwatering is the most common cause of Money Tree decline. Symptoms include yellowing lower leaves, a mushy or foul-smelling trunk base, and root rot. Underwatering typically manifests as drooping, wilting leaves that feel dry and papery, and crispy leaf edges. If you’re uncertain about your watering habits, check out the indoor watering tips on the Shopifarm blog or read our guide on watering plants at night for additional guidance.

Humidity & Air Circulation

As a native of tropical wetlands, Money Trees appreciate humidity levels between 50% and 80%. Average home humidity of 40–50% is generally acceptable, but the plant will look its best and grow most vigorously when humidity is elevated, particularly during the dry winter months when indoor heating systems deplete moisture from the air.

Humidity methods:

• Pebble tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it raises the humidity in the microclimate around the plant. Ensure the pot sits above, not in, the water.
• Humidifier: A room humidifier is the most effective and consistent method, particularly beneficial if you keep several tropical houseplants.
• Grouping plants: Clustering tropical plants together creates a natural humid microenvironment through collective transpiration.
• Misting: Light misting can provide temporary relief, but it’s not a substitute for sustained humidity. Excessive misting on leaves can also encourage fungal issues.

Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity near your plant. Avoid placing Money Trees directly in the path of heating vents, air conditioning units, or cold drafts from windows and doors, all of which create rapid temperature and humidity fluctuations that stress the plant.

Signs of humidity issues: Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges are the classic indicators of low humidity. In severe cases, leaves may curl inward or drop prematurely.

Soil & Potting

Money Trees require a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. A standard peat-based indoor potting mix amended with perlite works well. The ideal pH range is slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0.

DIY soil recipe:

• 2 parts peat moss or coco coir
• 1 part perlite or coarse pumice
• 1 part coarse sand or fine orchid bark

This blend provides excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to keep the roots consistently hydrated between waterings. Avoid heavy garden soil or mixes designed for succulents, which dry out too rapidly for Money Trees.

Container selection: Choose a pot with at least one drainage hole at the bottom — this is non-negotiable. Ceramic, terracotta, and plastic pots all work. Terracotta is breathable and wicks moisture away from the soil, which helps prevent overwatering. Select a pot that is one to two inches larger in diameter than the current root ball when repotting.

Repotting schedule: Repot every two to three years, or when roots begin circling the inside of the container or emerging from the drainage holes. Spring is the ideal time to repot, as the plant is entering its active growth phase and will recover quickly.

Propagation Methods

Understanding how to grow Money Trees from cuttings or seed is rewarding, though it requires patience. Note that propagated plants will not have the characteristic braided trunk — that feature is created by nursery growers who braid multiple young seedlings together during production. Propagating houseplants through stem cuttings or division can be a fun way to expand your collection.

Stem Cuttings

This is the most common home propagation method. In late spring or early summer, take a healthy stem cutting about six inches long with at least two to three leaf nodes. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and place it in moist perlite or a peat-perlite mix. Cover loosely with a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity, and keep in bright indirect light at temperatures between 70–80°F. Roots typically develop in four to six weeks. You can also root cuttings in water, changing the water every few days to prevent bacterial growth, then transplanting once roots reach two to three inches in length.

Seed Starting

If you can source fresh Pachira aquatica seeds — they lose viability quickly — plant them in moist, well-draining soil with the pale eye of the seed facing down. Keep them warm (75–85°F) and consistently moist. Germination usually occurs within one to two weeks with fresh seed. When sourcing seeds or starter plants, look for reputable houseplant growers and suppliers to ensure quality and authenticity.

Division

If your Money Tree has multiple trunks that are not braided, you can carefully separate them during repotting. Gently untangle the root systems, keeping as many roots intact as possible, and pot each division individually. Water thoroughly after division and keep the divisions in a warm, humid environment while they re-establish.

Common Indoor Problems

Money Trees are generally resilient, but several pests and diseases can affect them indoors. Early identification and treatment are key.

Pests

• Spider mites: Tiny arachnids that thrive in dry conditions, visible as fine webbing on leaf undersides. Increase humidity and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Mealybugs: White, cottony clusters found in leaf axils and along stems. Remove manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, then treat the entire plant with neem oil.
• Scale insects: Brown or tan bumps on stems and leaf midribs. Scrape off manually and apply horticultural oil.
• Fungus gnats: Small flies that hover near the soil surface. They thrive in consistently wet soil. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out more thoroughly, and use sticky traps or a drench of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) to target larvae.
• Aphids: Soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth. Wash off with a strong spray of water and follow up with insecticidal soap.

Diseases

Root rot (caused by Pythium, Phytophthora, or Fusarium species) is the most serious disease issue and almost always results from overwatering or poor drainage. If you detect a mushy, darkened trunk base or foul-smelling soil, unpot the plant immediately, trim away all rotten roots with sterilized shears, treat the remaining healthy roots with a fungicide, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil in a clean container.

Leaf spot diseases (bacterial or fungal) appear as dark, water-soaked spots with yellow halos. Improve air circulation, avoid wetting the leaves when watering, and remove affected foliage promptly.

Pet Safety & Toxicity

Money Trees (Pachira aquatica) are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, as confirmed by the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant database. This makes them an outstanding choice for households with pets. While ingestion of plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in particularly curious animals — simply because plant fiber is not part of their normal diet — there are no toxic compounds in Pachira aquatica that pose a poisoning risk.

Important distinction: Do not confuse Pachira aquatica (Money Tree) with Crassula ovata (commonly called Jade Plant or “money plant”), which is toxic to cats and dogs and can cause vomiting, depression, and incoordination. Also, Epipremnum aureum (Pothos), sometimes called “money plant” in certain regions, contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic to pets. Always verify the scientific name when purchasing.

Child safety: While non-toxic, the braided trunk and soil can be attractive to toddlers. Place the plant out of reach of very young children to prevent ingestion of soil, which may contain fertilizer residues or perlite.

Air Purification Benefits

Pachira aquatica was not included in NASA’s original 1989 Clean Air Study (formally titled “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement”), which tested specific species for their ability to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from sealed chambers. It is important to be accurate about this, as many online sources incorrectly attribute NASA air-purifying credentials to Money Trees.

That said, like all living plants, Money Trees do contribute to indoor air quality through basic photosynthesis — absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Their relatively large leaf surface area supports transpiration, which adds moisture to the air and can marginally improve relative humidity in a room. Research suggests that many tropical houseplants can contribute positively to the indoor environment, though the practical impact in a well-ventilated home is modest.

Realistic expectations: A single Money Tree will not dramatically purify the air in your home. However, a collection of houseplants distributed throughout your living space can contribute positively to indoor environmental quality, alongside proper ventilation and air filtration systems. The psychological and stress-reducing benefits of living with plants are well documented and arguably more significant than their air-cleaning capacity.

Troubleshooting Guide

Yellow Leaves

The most common cause is overwatering. Check soil moisture — if the soil is soggy or the drainage is poor, allow it to dry out and reassess your watering schedule. Yellowing lower leaves can also be natural senescence as the plant sheds older foliage. Sudden widespread yellowing may indicate root rot, cold drafts, or a dramatic change in light conditions.

Brown Leaf Tips and Edges

Typically caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, or excess fluoride or salts in the water or soil. Increase humidity around your houseplants, water more consistently, and flush the soil every few months by running water through it for several minutes to leach accumulated salts.

Dropping Leaves

Leaf drop in Money Trees is often a response to environmental stress — a sudden change in location, temperature fluctuations, drafts, or a drastic shift in watering patterns. When you bring a new Money Tree home, some leaf drop is normal as the plant acclimates. Maintain stable conditions and be patient.

Leggy, Stretched Growth

This indicates insufficient light. Move the plant closer to a brighter window or supplement with a grow light. Prune leggy branches in spring to encourage bushier growth — cut just above a leaf node at a 45-degree angle.

Soft, Mushy Trunk

This is a serious symptom of root rot or trunk rot and requires immediate action. If only part of the braided trunk is affected, the compromised trunk can sometimes be removed while the healthy ones survive. Unpot, inspect roots, prune all rot, treat with fungicide, and repot in fresh soil with excellent drainage.

Varieties & Cultivars

While Pachira aquatica does not have a wide array of named cultivars compared to plants like Pothos or Philodendron, there are several forms and presentations commonly available to indoor gardeners. If you’re comparing options, our overview of Pothos plant varieties is a useful counterpoint for choosing your next houseplant.

• Standard Braided Money Tree: The most common form sold commercially. Three to five young Pachira aquatica seedlings are braided together during nursery production, creating the iconic interlocking trunk. This is a trained growth form, not a distinct cultivar.
• Single-Trunk Money Tree: Less commonly sold but available, these unbranched specimens showcase the natural growth habit of Pachira aquatica, which develops a swollen, bottle-shaped trunk base (caudex) when grown from seed.
• Miniature/Bonsai Money Tree: Small specimens trained in shallow bonsai-style pots, often braided, kept compact through regular pruning and root restriction. These make excellent desk or shelf plants.
• Pachira glabra: Sometimes sold interchangeably with P. aquatica, Pachira glabra (also known as French Peanut or Saba Nut) is a closely related species with similar care requirements and appearance. It can be difficult to distinguish from P. aquatica in the juvenile, non-flowering stage.

For beginners just learning how to grow Money Trees, the standard braided form is the best starting point — it’s widely available, forgiving, and visually impressive from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water my Money Tree?

Water your Money Tree when the top one to two inches of soil feel dry. During spring and summer, this is typically every one to two weeks. In winter, reduce watering to every two to three weeks. Always check the soil moisture before watering rather than following a rigid schedule, as environmental conditions vary.

Why are my Money Tree’s leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves are most commonly caused by overwatering. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage and that you’re allowing the soil to partially dry between waterings. Other causes include insufficient light, cold drafts, or natural shedding of older lower leaves.

Can Money Trees survive in low light?

Money Trees can tolerate low light for short periods but will not thrive there long-term. In low-light conditions, growth slows significantly, leaves may become smaller, and the plant can develop a leggy, stretched appearance. Medium to bright indirect light produces the best results.

Are Money Trees toxic to cats and dogs?

Pachira aquatica is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA. However, ingestion of any plant material can cause mild stomach upset in pets, so it’s still wise to discourage chewing.

How do I braid a Money Tree trunk?

Braiding is done when the plants are very young and their trunks are still green, flexible, and herbaceous — typically at the nursery stage. If you’re growing multiple seedlings, you can begin gently braiding when the trunks are about 14 inches tall and still pliable. Loosely tie the top with soft twine and continue braiding upward as the plants grow. Once trunks become woody, they can no longer be braided.

How big will my Money Tree get indoors?

Indoors, most Money Trees reach three to six feet in height, though specimens in ideal conditions with large containers can grow to eight feet. Growth rate is moderate — expect approximately 12–24 inches of new growth per year under good conditions. Pruning can maintain the plant at your desired size.

Should I fertilize my Money Tree?

Yes, feed your Money Tree with a balanced houseplant fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season (spring through early fall). Do not fertilize in winter when the plant is in its rest period.

Why is my Money Tree dropping leaves after I moved it?

Money Trees are sensitive to sudden environmental changes. When relocated, they commonly drop leaves as a stress response while acclimating to new light, temperature, and humidity conditions. This is usually temporary — maintain consistent care and the plant should stabilize within two to four weeks.

Can I put my Money Tree outside in summer?

Yes, Money Trees can benefit from spending the warm months outdoors in a sheltered, shaded location. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the foliage. Bring the plant back indoors before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). Inspect carefully for pests before bringing it back inside.

How do I know if my Money Tree has root rot?

Signs include a soft, mushy trunk base, foul-smelling soil, yellowing leaves despite moist soil, and dark, mushy roots when unpotted. Healthy roots should be white to tan and firm. If caught early, you can save the plant by pruning all affected roots, treating with fungicide, and repotting in fresh, well-draining soil.

Do Money Trees really bring good luck?

Money Trees are deeply rooted in Feng Shui tradition, where they are believed to attract positive energy, prosperity, and good fortune — particularly when placed in the southeast corner of a home or office (the “wealth corner”). While these are cultural beliefs rather than scientific claims, the psychological boost of nurturing a healthy, beautiful plant is real and well-documented.

How to grow Money Trees from cuttings successfully?

Take a six-inch stem cutting with two to three leaf nodes in late spring or early summer. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and place it in moist perlite or water. Maintain warm temperatures (70–80°F) and high humidity. Roots should appear within four to six weeks. Transplant to soil once roots are two to three inches long.

Sources & References

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Pachira aquatica
• Home for the Harvest: Pothos Plant Care & Houseplant Growing Guide

If you want to turn all this growing effort into even more local food on your table, browse Shopifarm to find nearby farms, nurseries, and growers across the U.S. It’s a practical way to source starts, compare seasonal offerings, and support the producers keeping fresh food close to home.