How to Care for a Money Tree
The braided trunk is just styling. What actually keeps a money tree alive is humidity, indirect light, and never letting it sit in water.
Money Tree at a Glance
Everything you need to know, in four numbers.
Complete Money Tree Care
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is native to swamps and riverbanks from southern Mexico to Brazil, which explains its love of humidity. This guide is based on care research from university extension services and the ASPCA, with sources linked at the end.
Light
NC State Extension recommends indirect sunlight or a mix of sun and shade. Direct exposure causes leaf scorch, so a spot near a bright window, not pressed against it, works best.
Watering
Keep the potting mix moist and well-drained. NC State Extension is explicit that standing water is not tolerated and causes root rot, while letting the soil go bone dry causes leaf drop. Water when the top of the soil dries out, not on a fixed calendar.
Humidity
Money trees come from freshwater swamps and riverbanks in Central and South America, and NC State Extension notes they genuinely thrive in humid environments. Low humidity, especially in winter with the heat running, is a common cause of yellowing leaves.
Fertilizing
NC State Extension flags inadequate soil nutrients as one cause of yellow leaves, so an occasional balanced houseplant fertilizer during spring and summer growth helps. This is a slow, moderate feeder, not a heavy one, so err on the side of underfeeding.
The Braided Trunk
The braid is a nursery styling technique, not natural growth. NC State Extension notes the trunks are flexible enough to weave together while young, and the shape holds as they thicken with age. As a houseplant, money trees typically stay 6 to 8 feet tall at most, far short of the 60 feet they can reach in the wild.
Temperature
NC State Extension lists an ideal range of 65 to 75°F. Bring outdoor plants inside before temperatures drop to 45°F; this is a tropical species with no cold tolerance to speak of.
Money Tree Stress Signals
Here's what each symptom means and how to fix it.
Yellow leaves
Cause: Humidity that's too low, or nutrient-deficient soil, per NC State Extension.
Fix: Raise humidity with a pebble tray, humidifier, or grouping plants together first, since dry indoor air is the more common culprit. If humidity is already good, feed with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Leaves dropping
Cause: Soil that's gone too dry, per NC State Extension.
Fix: Check the soil moisture and water thoroughly. Build a more consistent watering habit rather than letting the plant swing between bone dry and freshly watered.
Mushy trunk or roots, standing water in the pot
Cause: Overwatering. NC State Extension is explicit that standing water is not tolerated and causes root rot.
Fix: Empty any water pooling in the saucer or decorative pot immediately. Let the soil dry out more between waterings, and make sure the pot has drainage holes.
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Money Tree Care FAQ
How often should I water a money tree?
Keep the soil moist but well-drained. NC State Extension warns that standing water is not tolerated and can cause root rot, so water when the top inch or two of soil is dry rather than on a fixed schedule. On the other end, letting the plant go too dry causes leaf drop, so aim for consistency rather than extremes.
What light does a money tree need?
NC State Extension recommends indirect sunlight or a mix of sun and shade. Direct sun causes leaf scorch, so keep it a few feet back from a bright window rather than pressed against the glass.
Is a money tree toxic to cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists Pachira aquatica (money tree) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. That makes it one of the few popular trendy houseplants that's genuinely safe around pets, though the ASPCA notes eating a large amount of any plant material can still cause mild stomach upset like vomiting or loose stool.
Why does my money tree have yellow leaves?
NC State Extension lists two common causes: humidity that's too low, or nutrient deficiency in the soil. Since money trees come from humid swamps and riverbanks in their native range, dry indoor air (especially in winter) is often the simpler explanation to rule out first.
Why is my money tree dropping leaves?
Per NC State Extension, leaf drop on a money tree points to soil that's too dry. Check the moisture level before assuming a bigger problem, water thoroughly, and keep the schedule more consistent going forward.
What's the difference between a money tree and a money plant?
It depends on who's using the term. NC State Extension actually lists "Money Plant" as one of the common names for Pachira aquatica itself, the same braided-trunk plant sold as a money tree. In everyday use, though, "money plant" is also sometimes used for pothos or jade plant in different regions, so if you're not sure which plant you have, a photo identifier is the fastest way to confirm the species before applying care advice.
How do I propagate a money tree?
NC State Extension lists softwood cuttings, layering, or seed as propagation methods. Softwood cuttings are the most practical for a houseplant: take a cutting from new, still-flexible growth and root it in moist potting mix. Outdoors in the right climate, a money tree can also flower and set seed, but that takes 4 to 5 years and won't happen on a windowsill.
Why is my money tree's trunk braided?
That's a nursery styling choice, not a natural growth habit. NC State Extension notes the trunks are flexible enough to be braided together while young; the pattern holds as the trunks thicken with age. It's purely cosmetic and doesn't affect care.
Sources
The care information on this page is based on the following university extension and animal poison control resources, not opinion: