Caring for Your Money Tree Plant

This Valentine’s Day my son and husband got me a Money Tree plant. I’ve been telling them for a while that I’d prefer live plants to cut flowers, so I was pretty excited about it. I’ve never had a Money Tree plant before, so I had to look up how to care for it and will be sharing that here on the blog!

I also wanted to know if there was a special Fung Shui type place I should put it. It is a Money Tree after all! Legend has it that good fortune gets trapped in the folds of its braided trunk.

What is a Money Tree Plant?

A Money Tree plant, also known as Pachira Aquatica, is a species native to Central and South America that has become a popular indoor plant due to its hardy nature. It is usually sold as a small houseplant with a green leafy top and 3-8 braided stems, which is done when it is when it is a baby plant. It will continue to grow with the stems braided.

It is believed to bring good luck, prosperity and create positive “chi,” or energy, making it popular with those that practice Fung Shui. It’s association with positive energy and financial abundance has also made it a popular gift. I always see them in the gift section of our grocery store, which I’m sure is where my Valentine plant came from. You can even order them on Amazon for around $23. Click here to check it out.

It is relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in indoor environments with proper care. It can grow as much as 24″ a year in height and eventually reach 6-8 ft. tall!

The number of braided trunks have a special meaning on the Money Tree plant:

• 3 – happiness, long life, and good health
• 5 – the five elements and good luck in all areas of your life
• 8 – known as the Golden Cage design, 8 braided trunks bring infinite abundance and wealth

Care Tips for Your Money Tree Plant

1. Light: Money tree plants prefer bright, indirect light for at least 6 hours a day. They can also tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much can scorch their leaves.
2. Soil: My plant came in a peatmoss-based soil, which is a good kind of soil for the Money Tree and provides plenty of drainage.
3. Watering: Water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feels dry. It’s important not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
4. Humidity: Due to their Central and South America origins, Money Trees thrive in relatively high humidity, so misting the leaves occasionally can be beneficial.
5. Temperature: They prefer temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and should be kept away from cold drafts.
6. Fertilization: Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

As for where to place the money tree plant in the house, it’s best to place it in a bright room with indirect sunlight. A north-facing window or a few feet away from a south- or west-facing window is ideal. Additionally, make sure to keep it away from drafts and heating/cooling vents.

But what if you are considering the Fung Shui element? That will take an extra step.

How to Fung Shui Your Money Tree Plant

If you’ve gotten a Money Tree plant and want to make the most it, you might want to follow the rules of Fung Shui.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice based on the idea that the arrangement of your environment can impact your life. It is focused on creating harmony and balance between individuals and their surroundings.

Feng Shui involves the arrangement of objects, colors, and the flow of energy to create a positive environment that can enhance various aspects of life such as wealth, health, and relationships. Followers of Feng Shui believe that proper alignment can bring about good fortune, while improper arrangement can lead to negative effects.

When considering the placement of your Money Tree plant for Feng Shui, it’s important to keep in mind the flow of energy and the specific meanings associated with the number of braided trunks:

1. Wealth Corner: Place your Money Tree plant in the southeast area of your home or the room to enhance abundance and prosperity.
2. Living Room: Position the plant in the living room, particularly the left corner from the main entrance, to promote wealth and well-being for the entire household.
3. Home Office: Placing the Money Tree plant in the home office or workspace can stimulate financial success and career growth, especially if positioned in the back left corner from the entrance.
4. Near the Cash Register: For businesses, consider locating the Money Tree plant near the cash register or financial area to attract prosperity and good fortune.
5. Front Door: Place your tree near the front door to welcome wealth into your home.

These are just a few ideas, as there are many places you can place put your Money Tree to attract abundance. I decided to put mine right next to my desk to get a little career boost. Let’s hope it works!