Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Money Tree Plant Features

Money tree may not actually produce dollars, but it has earned a devoted following among plant parents for good reason. It is said to bring good luck and is a staple of Feng Shui practice, which makes it one of the few houseplants that carries genuine cultural meaning alongside its visual appeal. Costa Farms has grown it on over 5,200 acres alongside more than 1,500 other varieties, and it remains one of our most recognizable plants.

The foliage is the first thing people notice: large, glossy leaves with five to seven leaflets arranged like an open hand, giving money trees a distinctly tropical and architectural presence. Most money trees you will find at retail have several young trunks braided together as they grow a technique that enhances the sculptural quality of the plant and does not harm it in any way. Over time, the trunk can develop a fat, dense base that adds to the bonsai-like character of older specimens.

Money tree handles a range of indoor environments and is forgiving enough for plant parents who are still building their watering instincts. It thrives best with consistent moisture, bright indirect light, and a bit of extra humidity conditions that are easy to provide in most homes.

About the braided trunk

The braided style you see in most money trees is not a natural growth pattern. Growers braid several young stems together as the plant develops, and the trunks eventually fuse as they mature. It is purely decorative and has no effect on the plant’s health or growth. Unbraided, single-trunk money trees are also available and develop a more tree-like form as they age.

Note: Money tree is not intended for human or animal consumption.

Buy Money Tree

Buy it online and have it shipped fresh from our farm, direct to your door from our online plant shop. Or find it online or at your favorite local garden center from one of our retailer partners.

Money Tree Growing Instructions

How to Care for a Money Tree

Money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a forgiving tropical plant that rewards consistent care with lush, hand-shaped foliage and a striking braided trunk. It is well suited to bright indoor spaces and adapts well to typical home conditions. Here is what it needs.

Light

Money trees thrive best in bright, indirect light. To ensure steady growth, position the plant near a south or east-facing window where it can receive filtered sunlight for several hours daily. While it can tolerate medium light, be aware that growth will significantly slow down in lower-light environments. Avoid placing the foliage in direct sun for extended periods if the plant isn’t acclimated to the sun, as this can lead to scorched leaves.

Watering

If your money tree comes in a Wick & Grow® planter, the self-watering system takes the guesswork out of watering. The Waterwick® draws moisture up from the reservoir as the plant needs it, keeping the potting mix consistently moist without the risk of waterlogging the roots. Refill the reservoir when it runs low.

If you water it traditionally, the money tree appreciates an evenly moist potting mix but is sensitive to overwatering. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of potting mix begins to dry out, then allow it to drain fully. Never let the pot sit in standing water, as this is the most common cause of root rot in money trees.

Humidity

As a tropical, money tree prefers higher humidity levels than most North American homes naturally provide (50 to 60 percent relative humidity is ideal). If the leaf edges start turning brown and crispy, low humidity is often the cause. Grouping it with other plants, placing a pebble tray with water nearby, or running a small humidifier in the room will help. Avoid placing it near heating or air conditioning vents, which can cause the leaves to brown and turn dry.

Pruning

Money tree responds well to pruning and can be shaped actively if you want to control its size or encourage a fuller, bushier form. Prune in spring, cutting just above a leaf node the plant will branch from that point and grow back more compact. Remove any yellowing, damaged, or crowded branches at the base. Always use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to avoid tearing the stems. Avoid removing more than a third of the plant at once.

Tip

If you want your money tree to develop a fuller, bushier shape, prune it back in spring. Cutting just above a leaf node encourages branching and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. Money tree tolerates pruning well and bounces back quickly.

  • Water

    Constantly moist soil

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Indoors: High light

    Indoors: Medium light

  • Colors

    Green

  • Special Features

    Purifies the air

    Super-easy to grow

Complement your Money Tree

Calathea
Calathea is a lovely way to provide an interesting groundcover effect in a pot with a tall money tree.

Peace Lily
Peace lily looks fantastic with money tree and both appreciate moist potting mix.

Baby's Tears
Soften the look of your money plant's container by giving it a skirt of soft baby's tears.

Q&A

How often should you water a money tree?
Water a money tree when the top inch of potting mix begins to dry out typically every one to two weeks depending on the season and light levels. If your plant is in a Wick & Grow® planter, the self-watering system manages moisture automatically. If you water it traditionally, the goal is an evenly moist potting mix, not soggy. Overwatering is the most common reason money trees decline, so always allow excess water to drain fully and never let the pot sit in standing water.

Why are my money tree leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves on money trees are almost always a watering issue. Overwatering or poor drainage that keeps the roots sitting in wet potting mix is the most common cause. Check that the pot has drainage holes and that you are allowing the top inch of potting mix to begin drying before watering again. Less commonly, yellow leaves can signal low light or a lack of nutrients if the plant has not been fertilized in a long time. Address watering first before changing anything else.

Does a money tree need direct sunlight?
No. Money trees prefer bright indirect light and do not need or benefit from direct sun. A spot near a window with filtered light such as through a sheer curtain or set back from a south-facing window is ideal. Direct sun for extended periods can scorch the leaves. Money trees tolerate medium light, but growth will slow and the foliage may become less vibrant in lower-light conditions.

Why is my money tree losing leaves?
Leaf drop in the money tree is usually a response to stress. The most common triggers are overwatering, a sudden change in environment (such as moving the plant to a new location or a drop in temperature), or low humidity. Money tree is sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 50°F (10°C), so keep it away from exterior doors and air conditioning vents. If the plant has recently been moved or repotted, some leaf drop is normal as it acclimates to new conditions.

How fast does a money tree grow?
Money tree is a moderate grower indoors typically 12 to 24 inches per year under good conditions (bright indirect light, consistent moisture, and regular fertilizing during the growing season). Growth slows significantly in fall and winter. Pruning in spring encourages branching and helps the plant develop a fuller shape rather than growing tall and leggy.