How Often Should I Water My Money Tree

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The money tree, also known as Pachira aquatica, is an easy-to-grow indoor plant that traditionally comes with its trunks braided together. Money trees don't require a lot of maintenance, but there are some things you should do to ensure your money tree stays healthy and green.

1
Put your money tree somewhere it will get indirect light. Any spot with bright lighting that doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight will work. Keep your money tree away from windows if direct sunlight shines through them every day. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves on your money tree and kill it.^[1]
- A stand in your living room or the top of your dresser in your bedroom would be good spots for your money tree, as long as they don't receive a lot of direct sunlight.
- Try to turn your tree every time you water it. This helps ensure even growth and leaf development.
2

Keep your money tree away from extreme heat and cold. Extreme temperatures can shock your money tree and cause it to die. Find a spot for your money tree that's away from heat and air conditioning vents. Don't put your money tree near a window or door if a cold draft comes through it a lot. Ideally, your money tree should be in a space that averages between 60–75 °F (16–24 °C).^[2]

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3

Choose a spot that has at least 50-percent humidity. Money trees need a lot of humidity to survive.^[3] If you live in a dry climate and you're worried about the humidity levels being too low, set up a humidifier near your money tree. Get an indoor humidity monitor so you can keep track of how humid it is in the room your money tree is in.^[4]
4
Raise the humidity levels around your money tree if it looks dry. Dry, falling leaves are a sign that your money tree isn't getting enough humidity. If you already have a humidifier set up, start leaving it on for longer amounts of time, or get a second humidifier. Make sure your money tree isn't near any heat vents that could be drying out the air.
- Watering your money tree more won't help with the dryness, and it could make the problem worse by causing root rot or the leaves on the tree to turn yellow.
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1

Water your money tree when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of soil are dry. Don't water your money tree when the soil is still wet or you could overwater it and cause root rot. To check if the soil is dry enough, gently dig down into the soil with your finger. If the soil is dry 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) down, water your money tree.^[5]
2

Water your money tree until water comes out of the drainage holes. Once you see water draining out of the holes and into the tray underneath the pot, stop watering. Make sure you keep watering until you see the excess water come out or your money tree might not get as much water as it needs.^[6]
3

Dump out the tray full of water after you water your money tree. That way your money tree won't be sitting in water, which can cause root rot. After you water your money tree, wait a few minutes for all of the excess water to drain out of the drainage holes and into the tray. Then, lift up your potted money tree and grab the tray full of water from underneath it. Empty the tray and return it to its place underneath your tree.^[7]
4

Water your money tree less during the winter. Money trees grow less during the winter because there's not as much light. Because they grow less, they don't need as much water. During the winter, when you notice the soil your money tree is in is dry, wait 2-3 extra days before you water it. Start watering regularly again once springs arrives.^[8]

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1
Trim off dead and damaged leaves using pruning shears. This will keep your money tree looking healthy and green. Dead leaves will be brown and wilted, and damaged leaves will be torn or broken off at the stem. When you notice a dead or damaged leaf, clip it off at the base of the growth using the shears.^[9]
- It's OK if you don't trim off the dead or damaged leaves on your money tree. Your tree just may not look as healthy as it could if you did trim them off.
2
Shape your money tree with pruning shears. To shape your money tree, look at the tree and imagine the outlines of the shape you want. Then, look for growth that's extending outside the boundary of the imaginary lines. Take your pruning shears and clip off the part of the growth outside the boundary line. When you're clipping off the growth, clip right after the leaf node that's nearest to the boundary line.^[10]
- Money trees traditionally have a round shape, but you can give yours a square or triangular shape instead if you'd prefer.
3

Prune your tree during the spring and summer to keep it small (optional). If you want your money tree to get bigger, avoid pruning it.^[11] To prune your money tree, use pruning shears to cut off unwanted growth right after the leaf node at the base of the growth.^[12]

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1
Fertilize your money tree 3-4 times a year. Money trees grow the most during the spring and summer, and seasonal fertilizing will help keep your money tree healthy as it grows. Use a liquid fertilizer and cut the recommended dose on the label in half. Stop fertilizing at the end of the summer. Your money tree doesn't need fertilizer outside of the growing season because its growth slows down, so it needs less nutrients.^[13]
- Make sure you're cutting the dose of liquid fertilizer in half. The recommended dosage on the packaging is the maximum amount intended for plants growing in perfect conditions. Using the full dosage may be too much for your plant and it could have negative effects.^[14]
2

Pot your money tree in a relatively small pot. A pot that's a lot larger than your money tree will hold too much soil and moisture, which can lead to root rot. When you repot your money tree, choose a pot that's slightly bigger than the pot it was previously in.^[15]
3

Choose a pot that has drainage holes. Drainage holes allow excess water to drain out of the pot and into a tray beneath it. Money trees are prone to root rot, which is caused by too much water, so it's important your money tree has plenty of drainage. When you're shopping for pots, look down inside of them at the bottom of the pot. If there aren't any drainage holes, look for another pot that has some.^[16]
4

Pot your money tree in a fast-draining, moisture-retaining potting soil. Use a premade bonsai soil mix, or make your own potting mix using a peat-moss based potting soil.^[17] Just add sand or other organic material to the peat-moss based potting soil. The peat moss will help the soil retain moisture, and the sand or perlite will help with drainage.^[18]
5
Repot your money tree every 2-3 years. To repot your money tree, carefully dig out the roots and soil from the pot it's in, taking care to stay near the edges of the pot so you don't damage the roots. Then, transfer your money tree to a new pot and add new soil to fill in the extra space.^[19]
- If you notice your money tree's roots growing out of the bottom of the pot, it's time to repot it.
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Add New Question

Question

How often do you water a money tree?

Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

It is best to allow the soil at the top to dry out before watering. You do not water the plant until the top 2-4 inches of soil are dry. Note that overwatering can cause root rot.
Question

Why are the leaves on my money tree falling off?

Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

The two reasons that this could be happening are overwatering or allowing too much sun.
Question

How much sun does a money tree need?

Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

The money tree grows best in either full sun or partial shade. If they grow outdoors, they do not need direct sun, but indoor money trees do best in full sun.
Question

Do money trees bring good luck?

Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Money trees are considered a good luck charm and are rumored to bring good fortune, prosperity, and wealth.
Question

Will a money tree braid on its own?

No, it doesn't braid naturally. It is braided by people when the stems are young and flexible. Each braid is a separate plant.
Question

Can I remove the soil and just put it in straight water?

No, the money tree will need soil and water to be healthy.
Question

How do I stop my money tree from growing so tall if it's trunk is too weak to hold itself up?

Prune it until the trunk can steadily hold itself up. The trunk might be weak due to overwatering, so check how often you're watering and test the soil moisture before watering.
Question

Is a money tree harmful to animals?

No, money tree is not harmful to animals. However, they should be discouraged from chewing its leaves, as it could cause stomach irritation or upset.
Question

My money tree sits in front of a 15' glass block wall and I do rotate it about once per week. It only gets the afternoon sun but I am in Texas. Should I try to move it to another location?

Stitched Pumpkin

Community Answer

It sounds like the light is filtered by the block wall but direct light may cause heat stress and leaf burn. Watch for unusual leaf coloration and consider moving it to an area with indirect light.
Question

Why do some of the leaves on my money tree have brown spots or tips? Otherwise. it looks green and healthy.

Emiray Gamer

Community Answer

Too much sunlight or under watering could be the problem. Water until it drains out of the holes every 1-2 weeks and keep in indirect sunlight only. Also, remember to keep moisture at around 50%.

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Video

Money trees are susceptible to scale. If you notice any scale problems, quarantine any affected plants immediately. Then spray the plant with an insecticidal soap or apply rubbing alcohol directly to the insect.

Things You'll Need

Small pot with drainage holes
Potting soil
Fertilizer
Humidifier

About This Article

Article SummaryX

If you have a money tree, place it in a room that has at least 50% humidity and receives an abundance of indirect light. Water your money tree whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry and empty the drainage tray underneath it so it's not sitting in water. Re-pot your money tree every 2-3 years, and place it in a pot that's only slightly larger than it's previous pot. For more tips on caring for your money tree, like how often you should add fertilizer and when to prune it, read on!

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