Money Tree Care Guide

Money tree plant care comes down to bright, filtered light and watering only when the potting mix has nearly dried, with no water left standing in the pot. Most yellow or dropping leaves trace back to wet roots, a recent move or low light.

What you are buying

Money trees are sold as Pachira aquatica, a tropical tree with glossy leaves divided into five or more leaflets. The New York Botanical Garden notes that the braided money tree may be P. aquatica or a similar species, Pachira glabra. The two are closely similar, and the care below applies to the money tree as it is sold.

“Money plant” is also used for pothos, jade plant and Chinese money plant, which need very different care. If yours came without a label, Plantive, an iPhone app, can identify it from a photo and show its care guidance.

How often to water a money tree

There is no fixed schedule. Push a finger or wooden skewer into the mix: when it has nearly dried, water thoroughly until excess runs out of the drainage hole. After about 15 minutes, tip out any water left in the saucer or outer pot.

Do not let the whole root ball go bone dry, which can make leaves drop. How often you water will change with light, temperature, pot size and season, so check the mix each time. Our guide to watering houseplants without a schedule explains the checks.

Skip the ice cubes and the calendar

A few ice cubes wet only part of the mix and never flush the pot, and a fixed weekly routine ignores how fast the mix is actually drying. A thorough watering followed by good drainage is what the plant needs.

Drainage and root rot in braided nursery pots

Money trees do not tolerate standing water, which can cause root rot. Braided plants are often sold in a plastic nursery pot tucked inside a decorative pot or wrap with no drainage, so water pools out of sight.

• Lift the nursery pot out to water it, or check the outer pot after every watering.
• Replace the decorative pot with one that has a hole if water keeps collecting.
• Watch for yellow leaves, soft or dark stems, and trunk bases that give when pressed.

If you find those signs, see how to identify and treat root rot.

Why money tree leaves turn yellow or drop

Pattern	Likely cause	What to do
Yellow leaves, rotting stems, mix stays wet	Overwatering, water splashed on the stems, or mix that holds too much water	Let it nearly dry; improve drainage
Leaves drop soon after bringing it home or moving it	Shock from the change, drafts or root disturbance	Pick a stable spot and leave it there
Yellowing and drop in autumn	Shorter days and lower light	Add light and wait for new growth
Crispy, curling leaves	Dry air, low light or inconsistent watering	Water by the mix; raise humidity
Drooping, dropping leaves, mix bone dry	Underwatering	Water thoroughly and let it drain

Compare the pattern with the wider guide to yellow leaves on houseplants, and if you cannot tell whether the mix is too wet or too dry, use the overwatering vs underwatering checklist.

Light

Give it a room that gets sun for much of the day, but keep the plant a little back from the glass. Strong direct sun can scorch the leaves. It tolerates some light shade with slower growth. Turn the pot each time you water so it does not lean toward the window.

Humidity and temperature

Money trees appreciate moderate humidity, around 50 percent. Dry winter air can lead to crispy leaves; a humidifier is the most reliable fix, as explained in our houseplant humidity guide. A warm room between about 65 and 85°F (18 and 29°C) suits it, away from cold drafts and heating vents.

Caring for the braided trunk

A braided money tree is several young plants sharing one pot. Growers weave the stems together while they are young and pliable. The braid itself needs no reshaping, and the trunks thicken with age.

• Check for ties. Some plants arrive with a plastic tie or wire holding the top or base of the braid. As the trunks thicken, a tight tie can cut into the bark, so loosen or remove it once the braid holds its shape.
• Check each trunk. Each stem is its own plant, so one can fail while the others stay healthy. A soft or shriveled trunk usually means rot, so check the roots and watering.
• Keep the braid together. Repot the plants as one unit rather than pulling the trunks apart.

Pruning

Prune in spring with sharp, clean shears. Cut about half an inch above a leaf or node, and remove no more than half the length of a stem. This keeps the canopy compact.

Repotting

Repot every two or three years in spring, moving up only one pot size into a container with a drainage hole and fresh, well-drained mix. Money trees often drop leaves when their roots are disturbed, so handle the root ball gently. Our guide on how to repot a houseplant covers the steps.

Money trees and pets

The ASPCA lists money tree (Pachira aquatica) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Any plant can upset a pet’s stomach if eaten in quantity, so call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line if a pet eats a lot. For more options, see our list of pet-safe houseplants.

Sources and further reading

• Pachira aquatica (Money Tree) — NC State Extension
• Money tree (Pachira aquatica) Research Guide — New York Botanical Garden
• The Key to Good Fortune with Your Money Tree — New York Botanical Garden
• Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Money Tree — ASPCA