How to propagate money tree
Pachira aquatica
A practical guide to making more money tree at home: the right method, the right time of year, and what to expect.
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How to propagate by stem cuttings
Money tree roots from stem cuttings of this year’s growth. A braided shop plant is several young seedlings with their stems twisted together, so a cutting grows into a single stem.
- 01
Take a cutting in late spring or summer from this year’s growth: a green shoot that has started to firm at its base.
- 02
Cut a 10–15 cm (4–6 in) length just below a leaf joint with clean, sharp pruners.
- 03
Remove the lower leaves and the soft tip. Money tree leaves are large, so cut the remaining leaflets back by half to reduce water loss.
- 04
Insert the cutting into a small pot of half potting mix and half sharp sand. Water it and let it drain.
- 05
Cover the pot with a clear bag or propagator lid and keep it warm and bright, out of direct sun. Remove any leaf that yellows or rots.
- 06
Keep the mix evenly damp and never waterlogged. Money tree drops leaves when its soil dries out.
- 07
Rooting time varies. Pot the cutting on into potting mix once it resists a gentle tug and grows new leaves.
Seed
Money tree does not flower indoors or once braided, so a houseplant sets no seed and you need to buy it. The seed loses its ability to germinate when it dries, so sow it as soon as it arrives.
- 01
Buy seed from a supplier who ships it fresh, and sow it the day it arrives.
- 02
Sow each seed in its own small pot of damp seed mix.
- 03
Keep the pots warm and bright, out of direct sun, and do not let the mix dry out.
- 04
Move each seedling into potting mix once it has a few leaves.
- 05
To grow a braid, raise three or more seedlings together and twist their stems while they are young and flexible.
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Common questions
What is the best way to propagate a money tree?
Take a semi-ripe stem cutting 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long in summer and root it in a covered pot of sandy potting mix. Fresh seed and air layering also work, but a houseplant does not produce seed of its own.
Will a money tree cutting grow a braided trunk?
No. A braided money tree is several young stems twisted together, and a cutting grows one stem. To braid, grow at least three young plants in one pot and twist their stems while they are still flexible.
Where do I get money tree seed?
From a supplier. Money tree does not flower indoors or when braided, so a houseplant sets no seed. Sow the seed fresh, because it loses its ability to germinate when it dries.
Sources: the RHS Pachira aquatica profile supports seed, semi-ripe cuttings and air layering. The RHS semi-ripe cuttings guide supports the cutting length, halving large leaves and the sandy rooting mix. NC State Extension supports softwood cuttings, layering and seed, braiding the stems of seedlings, and that braided or indoor plants do not flower. The Missouri Botanical Garden profile supports leaf drop when the soil dries. Lima et al. (2018) found that Pachira aquatica seed loses quality when it dries.
7 steps · Varies. Pot on once new leaves appear · Last reviewed: