The money tree is one of the most charming statement plants you can own — a slender braided trunk topped with a glossy canopy of hand-shaped leaves, wrapped in a reputation for bringing good luck and prosperity. Beyond the folklore, it's genuinely easy to care for, grows into an impressive indoor tree, and — unlike many statement plants — it's pet-safe. Get its watering right and it's a low-drama, high-charm addition to any bright room.
#Meet the money tree
Pachira aquatica is a tropical wetland tree from Central and South America, often sold with its young trunks braided together (a decorative technique done while the stems are supple). Each leaf splits into five or more leaflets like fingers of a hand. Its wetland origin explains a quirk in its care: it likes water but drains fast in the wild, so indoors it wants a good drink followed by good drainage — not soggy roots.
#Light
Money trees want bright, indirect light:
- Best: bright, indirect light — near a sunny window but out of harsh direct rays.
- Tolerated: medium light, where growth slows.
- Avoid: direct midday sun (scorches the leaves) and deep shade (leggy, sparse growth).
Rotate the plant every week or two, as money trees lean toward the light and can grow lopsided. Too little light causes leggy growth and leaf drop.
#Watering
Money trees like to dry out somewhat between waterings and are prone to root rot if kept wet:
- Water when the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry — often every 1–2 weeks, less in winter.
- Soak thoroughly, drain fully, and never leave it standing in water.
- The braided trunk stores water, so its firmness is a health gauge: firm is good; soft/mushy means rot (overwatering); slightly wrinkled can mean thirst.
Overwatering is the number-one money tree killer — yellow, dropping leaves and a soft trunk are the warning signs. See watering houseplants and root rot.
#Soil, potting, and feeding
Use a well-draining potting mix with perlite — see potting soil — in a pot with drainage. Repot every couple of years, or when root-bound, in spring. Feed with a balanced fertiliser every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer, resting in winter. See fertilising.
#Warmth, humidity, and stability
As a tropical, the money tree likes warm room temperatures (18–27°C) and dislikes cold drafts, which trigger leaf drop. It appreciates moderate humidity — a little extra reduces brown edges, especially in winter. Like other statement plants, it prefers a stable spot; frequent moving stresses it, so once it's happy, leave it be.
#Pruning and shaping
Money trees respond well to pruning — trim leggy growth or shape the canopy in spring to keep it full and balanced, cutting just above a leaf node. If you bought a braided plant, you can gently continue the braid as the trunks grow, while they're still flexible. Prunings can be rooted as cuttings — see propagation.
#Common problems
Yellowing / dropping leaves. Usually overwatering; also cold drafts, a recent move, or low light. Check the soil and stabilise its spot.
Soft, mushy trunk. Rot from overwatering — act fast: cut back watering, check the roots, repot in fresh well-draining soil.
Wrinkled trunk / crispy leaves. Underwatering or dry air. Water thoroughly and raise humidity.
Leggy growth, leaning. Too little light and no rotating. Move it brighter and turn it regularly.
Pests. Occasional spider mites or mealybugs; treat with insecticidal soap — see common pests.
#Pet-safe and lucky
A big part of the money tree's appeal: it's non-toxic and safe for cats and dogs, so you get a full-sized, glossy statement plant without the toxicity of a fiddle-leaf fig or rubber plant. For more pet-safe options, see pet-friendly houseplants.
#The bottom line
The money tree offers a rare mix: an eye-catching braided statement plant that's easy, pet-safe, and charming, luck included. Give it bright indirect light, water when the top of the soil dries (never soggy), warmth, and a stable spot, and watch the trunk's firmness as your health gauge. Treat it kindly and it'll grow into a lush indoor tree — good fortune optional, good looks guaranteed.