Plant care guides
Money tree care guide Pachira aquatica
How to grow and care for Money tree at home. Sold with braided stem.
- Light
- Medium / indirect light
- Watering (summer)
- Every 7 to 10 days
- Watering (winter)
- Every 14 to 21 days
- Pet safety
- Pet-safe (non-toxic)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Scientific name
- Pachira aquatica
- Origin
- Central America
- Humidity
- 50-70%
Fun fact
The braided trunk on supermarket specimens is a Taiwanese horticultural design from the 1980s — five seedlings plaited together while still flexible.
When and how much water
Water Money tree when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer that’s typically every 7 to 10 days; in winter slow down to every 14 to 21 days. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
- Every 14 to 21 days
- Every 7 to 10 days
The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can’t see: the actual light at the plant, the pot’s size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly’s app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.
How bright a spot it needs
Money tree thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct midday sun can scorch the leaves. The ideal lux range is 2,000 - 10,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 1-2 meters back from an east or west window, or behind a sheer curtain on a south window.
Feeding
Feed Money tree every 30 days while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp — feeding dry roots can scorch them. When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
Money tree is comfortable between 18 and 24 °C. Below 10 °C the leaves start taking damage, so keep it clear of cold drafts and unheated rooms.
It does best at 50–70% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Common problems
Most Money tree problems trace back to watering — here’s how to read the leaves.
Signs of overwatering
Watch for
- Yellowing leaves
- Soft squishy trunk
- Root rot
- Leaf drop
Let the soil dry further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely — soggy roots are the usual cause.
Signs of underwatering
Watch for
- Crispy leaflet tips
- Drooping leaves
- Wrinkled trunk
- Curling leaflets
Water a little more often and don’t let the soil go bone-dry for long.
Toxic to pets?
NoPet-safe.
Money tree is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep in a home with pets.
Browse all pet-safe houseplants →
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.
Propagation
Grow more Money tree from a cutting.
- Choose a healthy stem with at least one node and one or two leaves.
- Cut just below a node using clean, sharp scissors or a knife.
- Remove any leaves from the bottom 5 cm so they don’t rot in water or soil.
Common questions
How often should I water a Money tree?
Water your Money tree (Pachira aquatica) when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer, that’s typically every 7 to 10 days; in winter, slow down to every 14 to 21 days. Botanicaly’s app tunes this further based on your home’s actual light, pot size, and local weather.
How much light does a Money tree need?
Money tree thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct midday sun can scorch the leaves. The ideal lux range is 2,000 - 10,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 1-2 meters back from an east or west window, or behind a sheer curtain on a south window.
Is Money tree safe for cats and dogs?
Money tree is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep in a home with pets.
Why are my Money tree’s leaves turning yellow or drooping?
On a Money tree, yellowing and soft growth usually mean overwatering — watch for yellowing leaves, soft squishy trunk, or root rot. Let the soil dry further between waterings and check drainage. If you see crispy leaflet tips, drooping leaves, or wrinkled trunk instead, it’s likely thirsty — water a little more often. Botanicaly’s Plant Doctor can help assess visible signs from a photo and suggest possible causes.
Botanicaly
A schedule that reads your room.
You don’t need to work out your Money tree’s care from scratch each time. Botanicaly uses its saved setup and care history for the next step. Identifying is free. Pro adds Plant Doctor and Weather-smart care.
Still wet
Check again in 2 days
Botanicaly updates the next step when the soil isn’t dry.
