Money Tree Care: The Complete Growing Guide (Pachira aquatica)

Give your money tree bright, indirect light, consistent moisture, and good drainage, and it will reward you with lush, healthy growth for years. Water when the top inch or two of potting mix feels dry, let any excess water drain away, and keep it away from cold drafts and sudden temperature swings.

With its glossy, hand-shaped leaves and often-braided trunk, money tree brings a bit of tropical charm to any room — no green thumb required. Botanically known as Pachira aquatica, it's long been linked to luck and prosperity, which might explain why you'll find it everywhere from office desks to housewarming gift lists. Whether you've got a miniature bonsai-style plant, a compact tabletop tree, or a towering floor plant, the essentials of money tree care are the same across the board.

Money Tree Care at a Glance

Care Factor	What Money Trees Need
Light	Bright, indirect light
Water	Water when the top inch or two of potting mix is dry
Potting Mix	Loose, well-draining houseplant soil mix
Temperature	Average household temperatures; protect from cold drafts
Humidity	Average household humidity; appreciates additional humidity in dry conditions
Fertilizer	Feed during active growth according to the product directions
Growth Habit	Upright, branching tropical tree
Pruning	Prune to manage height, shape the canopy, or remove damaged growth
Pet Safety	Considered by the ASPCA to be non-toxic to dogs and cats
Difficulty Level	Considered easy-care

What Is a Money Tree?

Money tree is the common name most often used for Pachira aquatica, a tropical tree known for its eye-catching form. Look closely and you'll see each leaf is actually made up of several, smaller leaflets fanning out from a single point — that palmate, hand-shaped silhouette is what makes money tree so easy to spot on a shelf full of houseplants.

Left to its own devices, a money tree grows into a woody, branching little tree — that braided trunk you've probably seen isn't nature's doing. Growers braid several young, flexible stems together by hand while they're still pliable, and as those stems mature and harden, the braid holds its shape for good.

Its common name comes from an old belief that the plant brings luck, prosperity, and positive energy to whoever keeps it nearby — which is probably why you'll spot money trees showing up as housewarming gifts, office desk companions, and good-luck tokens for a new business. The symbolism is a nice bonus, but honestly, this plant earns its keep with its tropical good looks alone.

Good to Know "Money tree" and "money plant" are used loosely across the houseplant world and don't always refer to Pachira aquatica. Depending on the region or retailer, "money plant" may instead point to Pilea peperomioides or jade plant (Crassula ovata). Confirm the botanical name on the tag before applying any of this guidance, since care needs and pet-safety classifications differ between these plants. If you are unsure and need an identification please reach out to: questions@costafarms.com

Which Money Tree Form Is Right for Your Space?

If You Want...	Look For...	Examples
An easy-care desk or shelf accent	A compact, single-stem tabletop plant	Small potted Pachira aquatica, 6-12 inches
A conversation-starting decorative piece	A trained, braided trunk	Classic braided money tree in a tabletop or floor plant size
A miniature, sculptural look	A bonsai-style specimen	Compact bonsai Money Tree in a shallow container
A statement piece for a larger room	A tall braided or single-stem floor plant	Floor size money tree, 3-feet tall+

How Much Light Does a Money Tree Need?

Money trees grow best in bright, indirect light. Place yours near a window where it receives plenty of natural light without being exposed suddenly to hours of intense direct sun. Strong sunlight through a window can damage leaves that have not been acclimated to it, while insufficient light can lead to sparse growth, leaning, and leaf loss.

Morning sun is the exception — a money tree can handle direct sun until about 10 a.m. without issue, since morning light is gentler and less intense than midday or afternoon sun. After that window, the plant should be out of direct exposure or filter it with a sheer curtain to avoid leaf damage.

An east-facing window can provide gentle morning light. A money tree may also grow near a south- or west-facing window if a sheer curtain filters intense sunlight or the plant sits far enough from the glass to avoid harsh exposure.

Watch the plant rather than relying only on the direction of the window. Curtains, trees, roof overhangs, nearby buildings, and the distance between the plant and window can all affect how much useful light reaches the foliage.

Quick Tip Rotate the container a quarter turn every week or two if one side consistently faces the window. This helps the canopy receive more balanced light and reduces pronounced leaning in one direction.

Can a Money Tree Grow in Low Light?

A money tree may tolerate lower light for a time, but it generally will not grow or look its best there. Growth often slows, the spaces between leaves may become longer, and the canopy may gradually become thinner. The plant may also lean toward the nearest window as it searches for stronger light.

If your money tree produces weak new growth, repeatedly drops older leaves, or becomes noticeably sparse, move it to a brighter location. Make the change gradually rather than moving a plant that has been growing in dim conditions directly into intense light.

Artificial plant lights can supplement natural light when a room does not have a suitable window. Follow the directions for the particular light, including the recommended distance between the fixture and foliage.

How Often Should You Water a Money Tree?

Water a money tree when the top inch or two of potting mix is dry. Check the moisture level before watering rather than following a rigid weekly schedule. Light, temperature, pot size, root development, humidity, and the time of year all affect how quickly the plant uses water.

When watering a money tree in a standard nursery pot:

1. Check the potting mix an inch or two below the surface.
2. Water slowly and evenly across the potting mix.
3. Add enough water to moisten the root zone.
4. Allow excess water to drain from the container.
5. Empty water collected in the saucer or decorative pot.
6. Check the potting mix again before the next watering.

Money trees like consistent moisture, but their roots need to breathe too. Potting mix that stays soggy, or a container left sitting in collected water, can quickly cause more harm than a missed watering ever would. Check the moisture before you water, and always empty any water that collects in the saucer or decorative pot.

Quick Tip Use a clean, unfinished wooden chopstick, toothpick, or bamboo skewer to check below the surface. Insert it 2 to 3 inches into the potting mix, avoiding major roots when possible, then pull it out. If it looks darkened, feels damp, or has moist potting mix clinging to it, wait before watering.

How Do You Water a Money Tree in a Wick & Grow® Planter?

If your money tree comes in a Wick & Grow® planter, follow the directions for that particular system rather than treating it like a standard nursery pot. A self-watering planter manages moisture differently from a pot watered conventionally from the top.

In a properly used system, the grower pot sits above the water reservoir. A wick draws water upward as moisture is used from the potting mix. This provides a gradual supply of moisture without submerging the root system.

Check the water-level indicator and refill according to the planter instructions. Do not overfill the reservoir or allow the grower pot to sit directly in water.

If watering conventionally and the plant is growing in a standard plastic grower pot placed inside a decorative container, water the potting mix from the top. Allow the grower pot to drain, then empty any water that collects inside the decorative container before returning the plant.

What Potting Mix Is Best for a Money Tree?

Money trees grow best in a loose, well-draining houseplant potting mix. The mix should hold enough moisture for the roots to use without remaining saturated for long periods.

If repotting, choose a high-quality potting mix formulated specifically for houseplants, and pair it with a container that has excellent drainage. Together, these give the roots what they need: enough moisture retention to stay consistently hydrated, without holding excess water that can lead to root problems.

Avoid garden soil and do not pack potting mix tightly around the roots. Dense or compacted material may drain slowly and reduce the amount of oxygen around the root system.

The container is just as important as the potting mix. If you're wanting your money tree to grow in a decorative pot without drainage holes, plant it in a plastic grower pot and set that pot inside the decorative container rather than potting directly into a pot with no drainage. Remove the grower pot to water, then empty any water that collects in the decorative container before returning the plant. Following this simple step helps the roots get the oxygen they need and keeps the plant thriving long-term.

When Should You Repot a Money Tree?

Repot a money tree when the root system has filled the container, roots are growing densely through the drainage holes, the plant has become unstable, or the potting mix no longer absorbs or drains water as expected.

A newly purchased money tree generally does not need to be repotted immediately when it looks healthy and the existing container drains properly. Allowing the plant to acclimate before disturbing the roots avoids making it adjust to several major changes at once.

When repotting is appropriate, choose a replacement container only slightly larger than the current one. A container approximately 1 to 2 inches wider in diameter supplies space for new roots without surrounding the existing root system with a large volume of unused potting mix. Too much extra potting mix may stay wet longer than the roots can use its moisture.

How to Repot a Money Tree

1. Select a container with drainage that is slightly larger than the current pot.
2. Slide the money tree carefully from its container.
3. Inspect the roots and the base of each trunk.
4. Remove loose, exhausted potting mix without unnecessarily pulling apart healthy roots.
5. Trim only roots that are clearly dead, soft, or badly damaged, using a clean, sharp tool.
6. Position the plant at approximately the same depth at which it was previously growing.
7. Fill around the root ball with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
8. Settle the plant into place without packing the mix tightly.
9. Water thoroughly, then allow all excess water to drain.

Do not bury the braided portion of the trunks more deeply when repotting. Keeping the plant at its previous depth reduces the risk of holding too much moisture against the trunks.

Watch a video about repotting houseplants.
Learn more about repotting houseplants.

Does a Money Tree Need Fertilizer?

Money trees can benefit from fertilizer while actively growing. Use a fertilizer formulated for houseplants and apply it according to the directions on the package.

Time-release fertilizer pellets are a convenient option because they supply nutrients gradually over an extended period. A water-soluble houseplant fertilizer can also be used when mixed and applied according to its label.

Do not exceed the recommended amount. Excess fertilizer may damage roots and contribute to mineral salts accumulating in the potting mix. Fertilizer supports healthy growth, but it cannot correct insufficient light, damaged roots, poor drainage, or an unsuitable watering routine.

If a money tree is severely stressed, has recently experienced root damage, or is not actively growing, correct the underlying care problem before fertilizing. Never fertilize a plant that is in stress as it will likely make the situation worse.

Quick Tip Fertilizer is a supplement to proper care, not medicine for an unhealthy plant. Start with light, moisture, drainage, and root condition when diagnosing poor growth.

What Temperature and Humidity Does a Money Tree Prefer?

Money trees adapt well to the temperatures found in most homes. Protect them from cold drafts, abrupt temperature changes, fireplaces, and the direct path of heating or air-conditioning vents.

Average household humidity is usually sufficient, although a money tree may appreciate additional humidity when indoor air becomes especially dry. Keep in mind that brown leaf edges can have several possible causes, including prolonged dryness, inconsistent watering, root stress, or mineral buildup. Do not assume humidity is the only issue without checking the rest of the growing conditions.

Misting provides only a momentary change in air moisture and is not advised for houseplant care. Spraying water onto the leaves of a houseplant can lead to bacterial and fungal issues. If indoor air is persistently dry, run a humidifier nearby or group the money tree with other houseplants to raise humidity in the surrounding air.

How Do You Prune a Money Tree?

Prune a money tree to control its height, balance an uneven canopy, encourage branching, or remove damaged growth. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make a cut just above a leaf node, which is the point where a leaf or branch joins the stem.

New growth often develops from a node below the cut. This makes pruning useful when the plant has become tall and sparse or when one branch has grown much longer than the rest of the canopy.

When pruning a money tree:

• Remove dead, broken, or badly damaged branches first.
• Cut long stems just above a healthy node.
• Step back between cuts to check the overall shape.
• Avoid removing a large portion of a stressed plant at one time.
• Correct insufficient light if the plant has become stretched or sparse.
• Continue rotating the plant so the new growth receives balanced light.

Light pruning can be done as needed. More extensive shaping is best performed while the plant is actively growing and has the resources to produce new branches.

Should You Clean Money Tree Leaves?

Yes — wiping down money tree leaves every once in a while helps maintain their natural glossy appearance and keeps them functioning well. Dust that settles on the leaf surface can dull the shine and block some of the light the plant needs for photosynthesis.

Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe both the top and underside of each leaf, supporting the leaf in your hand as you go. Avoid leaf-shine products, which can clog the leaf's pores and leave a residue rather than a natural shine. For plants with many small leaflets, a gentle rinse in the sink or shower — using room-temperature water and allowing the container to drain fully afterward — can be quicker than wiping each leaflet individually.

Cleaning the leaves is also a good opportunity to check the undersides for early signs of pests, such as webbing, sticky residue, or small insects, before an infestation becomes established.

Can You Grow a Money Tree as a Bonsai?

Yes — money tree is a common choice for a bonsai-style houseplant. Its naturally swollen, water-storing base (called a caudex), thick trunk, and tolerance for regular pruning make it well-suited to a compact, tree-like shape.

A money tree bonsai is typically a young plant selected for a thickened or braided trunk, then shaped and maintained through regular pruning that keeps the canopy small, tight, and proportional to the container. Each cut just above a node encourages new growth to branch out low and full, building the compact, tree-like silhouette that defines the bonsai look over time.

Because bonsai-style money trees generally grow best in a shallow container with a small volume of potting mix, they dry out faster than full-size floor plants — so check the moisture regularly and water when the top inch is dry.

Repot when the roots have filled the container or the potting mix no longer absorbs and drains water as expected. At each repotting (typically every 1 to 2 years for a bonsai-style plant), trim back a portion of the longest roots to keep the root system sized to the shallow container — this is a normal part of maintaining a bonsai-style plant and does not harm a healthy money tree.

How Do You Propagate a Money Tree?

Money trees can be propagated from stem cuttings. Choose a healthy, firm stem that includes several nodes. A node is the slightly raised point where a leaf or branch develops and is the part of the cutting capable of producing new roots and shoots.

How to Root a Money Tree Cutting in Water

1. Use a clean, sharp tool to take a cutting approximately 4 to 6 inches long.
2. Make the cut just below a node.
3. Remove the lower leaves, leaving several leaves near the top.
4. Place the cutting in a clean glass of room-temperature water.
5. Keep at least one node below the water while keeping the leaves above it.
6. Set the container in bright, indirect light.
7. Replace the water regularly and rinse the container before refilling it.
8. Transfer the cutting to potting mix after it develops several firm roots that are 3 to 5 inches long.

When planting the rooted cutting, use a small container with drainage holes and a loose houseplant potting mix. Keep the mix lightly moist while the water-grown roots adjust, then gradually begin allowing the upper layer to dry between waterings.

Money tree cuttings can also be rooted directly in potting mix. Insert at least one node into a small container of lightly moist, well-draining mix, keep the cutting in bright, indirect light, and avoid saturating the developing root zone. Stem cuttings with multiple nodes are the standard home propagation method.

Important A cutting taken from one branch will produce a single young money tree. It will not automatically develop the braided form seen on commercially grown plants. That requires braiding the young trunks together as they mature but before they harden.

Should You Remove the Band Around a Money Tree?

Bands are generally used around the group of young money tree trunks to hold the braid together while the plants mature. Small braided Pachira may also have a band just below the surface of the potting mix for the same purpose.

A band does not need to be removed immediately. Monitor it as the trunks grow. Loosen or remove the band if it begins pressing into the bark, leaving a deep indentation, or restricting the thickening trunks.

A band around the base of a young money tree does not itself cause root rot. Root problems develop when the root zone remains wet and lacks sufficient drainage or oxygen. The bands are used to maintain the braid while the trunks are young and flexible. Generally, the band should be removed when the plant is ready for repotting, or after about two years when it's due for fresh potting mix. If the plant isn't ready for repotting yet, keep an eye on the band — the only time it becomes a problem is if the trunks grow larger than the band can accommodate and it begins cutting into the bark, at which point it should be loosened or removed right away.

Common Money Tree Problems and What They Mean

One damaged or discolored leaf does not always reveal one exact cause. Examine the moisture level, drainage, roots, light, recent environmental changes, and the pattern of damage before changing your care routine.

Money Tree Symptom	Possible Causes	What to Check
Yellow leaves	Potting mix remaining wet too long, insufficient light, root stress, or natural aging	Moisture below the surface, drainage, light, and root condition
Drooping leaves or branches	Dry potting mix, damaged roots, sudden environmental change, or excessive heat	Moisture throughout the container, roots, vents, and recent moves
Sudden leaf drop	Relocation, temperature stress, watering problems, or insufficient light	Recent changes, drafts, potting-mix moisture, and available light
Brown tips or edges	Prolonged dryness, inconsistent moisture, dry air, root stress, or mineral buildup	Watering history, humidity, drainage, and fertilizer use
Soft trunk or stem base	Declining roots or tissue associated with excess moisture	Roots, trunk base, drainage, and standing water
Pale or stretched growth	Insufficient light	Distance from the window and direction of growth
Torn leaves or holes	Handling or physical damage; possible pests	Damage pattern, both sides of leaves, and nearby plants
Webbing, sticky residue, or visible insects	Possible spider mites, scale, mealybugs, or other pests	Leaf undersides, stems, branch joints, and nearby plants
One Trunk declining	Individual root or stem damage within the braid	Base and roots of that trunk, constricting bands, and soft tissue

Why Are My Money Tree's Leaves Turning Yellow?

A yellow leaf here and there is usually nothing to worry about. It's often just an older, lower leaf that your plant is retiring as it redirects energy toward new growth. Since each money tree leaf is really a cluster of leaflets fanning out from one point, those leaflets might yellow together or one by one — either way, think of the whole cluster as a single leaf when you're gauging how much your plant has actually changed.

It's a different story when yellowing shows up across several leaves at once, especially if the potting mix still feels wet below the surface. That combination usually points to a moisture problem — double-check that the container is draining properly and that the grower pot isn't sitting in water trapped in a saucer or decorative pot.

Low light can play a role too. A money tree in a dimmer spot uses water more slowly, so the potting mix may stay wet longer than you'd expect — which means light and watering issues often show up together. The good news is the pattern tells you a lot: one lower leaf yellowing on its own is usually just normal aging, while yellowing that spreads across the canopy is worth a closer look before you change anything about your care routine.

Why Is My Money Tree Drooping?

A drooping money tree usually just needs water — but check the potting mix before you reach for the watering can, since drooping doesn't always mean thirsty. If the mix is dry through the upper portion of the container and the roots look healthy, go ahead and water thoroughly, then let the excess drain away.

If the potting mix is already wet, though, drooping is telling you something different: stressed or damaged roots may not be able to supply the foliage the way they should. Adding more water here will only make things worse. Take a look at the drainage, and if the drooping is severe or sticking around, check the roots for anything soft, dark, or falling apart.

Don't rule out the everyday stuff, either. Hot or cold drafts, a sudden move, or a quick change in light can all send a money tree into a temporary droop — sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.

Why Is My Money Tree Dropping Leaves?

A leaf drop is usually your money tree's way of reacting to sudden change, not an ongoing moisture or light problem. Moving from a greenhouse or store into your home changes the light, temperature, humidity, and watering conditions all at once — and even shuffling an established plant from room to room can trigger a similar response.

The best thing you can do is pick one good, bright spot away from drafts and heating or cooling vents, and then leave your plant alone for a few weeks to settle in. It's tempting to reach for the watering can every time a leaf falls, but resist that urge — check the potting mix first instead.

If the leaves were yellowing before they dropped, moisture or light is the more likely culprit — see "Why Are My Money Tree's Leaves Turning Yellow?" above. But if leaves are dropping while still green, or the dropping continues well after your plant has settled into its new spot, it's worth taking a closer look at the trunks and roots for something deeper going on.

Why Does My Money Tree Have Brown Tips?

Brown tips or edges are usually a sign your money tree has been getting too little water, or too much of something else. The most common culprits are inconsistent watering, dry air, mineral buildup from fertilizer, or root damage that's keeping moisture from reaching the leaves in the first place — even when the potting mix itself is wet.

Don't stop at the surface. Take a look at the whole root ball to figure out whether it's drying out too fast, staying wet for too long, or drying unevenly in different spots.

One thing to keep in mind: brown tissue won't green back up once it's damaged. You can trim off a badly affected leaflet if it bothers you but track down what's actually causing it before you start removing a lot of foliage.

Why Is My Money Tree Trunk Soft?

A soft or discolored trunk can indicate serious tissue or root damage, especially when the potting mix has remained wet or the container lacks drainage. Inspect the base of the affected trunk and its roots.

Healthy tissue should feel firm. Soft, dark, or collapsing tissue is unlikely to recover. In a braided money tree, one trunk may decline while the other trunks remain healthy because each is a separate plant.

Remove continually wet potting mix, trim clearly dead roots with a clean tool, and repot the remaining healthy plant in a properly draining container when necessary. Do not bury the trunks more deeply or water again simply because the canopy appears wilted.

Why Are There Holes or Tears in My Money Tree's Leaves?

Money tree leaves are relatively thin and may tear when they rub against packaging, walls, furniture, or one another during handling. Bent, creased, or irregular tears are often physical damage rather than evidence of a pest.

Inspect both sides of the leaves before reaching that conclusion. Pest damage may be accompanied by stippling, webbing, sticky residue, distorted new growth, visible insects, or a pattern that continues to appear on new leaves.

A physically damaged leaf can still supply energy to the plant if much of it remains healthy. Remove it only if it is badly damaged or detracts from the plant's appearance. Shipping and handling are common causes of tears in Pachira's delicate foliage.

Why Is My Money Tree Not Growing?

Slow or stalled growth is most often caused by low light. Cool conditions, damaged roots, or a natural seasonal slowdown can also play a role, but insufficient light is the most common reason a money tree stops putting out new growth.

Start there. A room that looks bright to a person may provide relatively little usable light to a plant, especially several feet from a window. Move the money tree closer to a suitable light source or provide a plant light if needed and give it several weeks to respond before assuming something else is wrong.

Do not use fertilizer as the first response. Fertilizer cannot compensate for low light or unhealthy roots and may create further problems if the plant is not growing and actively using the nutrients.

Does My Money Tree Have Root Rot?

Root rot cannot be diagnosed from leaf color alone. Yellowing, drooping, and leaf loss can occur with both root damage and prolonged dryness.

Check the potting mix, drainage, trunks, and roots together. Signs of serious root decline may include:

• Potting mix that remains wet for an extended period
• A sour or unpleasant odor from the root zone
• Soft, dark, or deteriorating roots
• A soft trunk base
• A trunk that becomes loose or unstable
• Continued yellowing or wilting despite wet potting mix

Healthy roots typically feel firm. If roots are badly damaged, remove the affected tissue with a clean tool and repot the remaining healthy plant in fresh, well-draining potting mix. Use a container with drainage and adjust future watering based on the moisture in the mix rather than the calendar.

Can You Grow a Money Tree Outdoors?

Money trees can spend time outdoors when temperatures are warm, but they should be placed in a shaded to partly shaded spot — not full, all-day sun — even once fully acclimated. Direct sun for more than a few hours a day, especially in the afternoon, can scorch the foliage regardless of how gradually the plant was introduced to outdoor conditions.

Begin in a protected, fully shaded location, then slowly increase the amount of light over several days or weeks, working toward filtered or dappled light or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the plant sheltered from strong wind, which can tear the leaves or tip over a top-heavy container.

Bring the plant indoors before nighttime temperatures fall below 50°F. Inspect the leaves, stems, and potting mix for pests before placing it near other houseplants.

Find the Right Money Tree for Your Space

Money trees come in forms ranging from miniature bonsai-style plants and compact tabletop trees to tall floor plants with full, leafy canopies. Explore the money tree profile to learn more about Pachira aquatica, see available sizes and forms, and find the right plant for your home or office.

Explore Money Trees:

Bonsai Money Tree

Tabletop Money Tree

Money Tree Floor Plant