Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica): Complete Care Guide

The Pachira aquatica, popularly known as the money tree, is a highly decorative houseplant thanks to its braided trunk and its crown of glossy, palm-like green leaves. It's said to bring good luck — but the best part is that it's genuinely easy to care for.

Origin and the braided trunk

It comes from the wetlands of Central and South America. The signature braided trunk isn't natural: several young, flexible stems are woven together at the nursery and stay braided as they thicken. It's purely decorative and doesn't harm the plant.

Light

Ideal: bright, indirect light — plenty of it, but filtered.
Tolerates: some shade, but it will grow more slowly.
Avoid: harsh midday sun, which scorches the leaves.

Rotate the pot every few weeks so it grows evenly, since it tends to lean toward the light.

Watering

Here's the trick with the money tree: despite a scientific name that hints at water, in a pot it hates being waterlogged.

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
In spring and summer, roughly every 7-10 days.
In winter, space waterings out much further.

The number-one mistake with this plant is overwatering. Always empty the saucer after watering.

Humidity and temperature

It appreciates medium-to-high humidity, in keeping with its tropical origin. Keep it between 65 and 80 °F, away from cold drafts. If the air is very dry from heating, group plants together or mist occasionally.

Why the leaves turn yellow

This is the most common question about this plant. The usual causes are:

Overwatering: the number-one cause; leaves yellow and drop.
Too little light: weak growth and pale leaves.
A change of spot: it often drops a leaf or two while adjusting, which is normal.

If you see lots of yellow leaves at once, go through our yellow leaves guide to pin down the exact cause.

Soil and repotting

Use a well-draining mix: a quality all-purpose soil with perlite. Repot every 2 years in spring, into a slightly larger pot with drainage holes. Don't jump to a much bigger pot all at once.

Feeding

During spring and summer, feed every 3-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. In autumn and winter, stop feeding.

Common problems

Yellow leaves: almost always overwatering.
Brown, crispy leaves: very dry air or too much sun.
Soft stems at the base: rot from waterlogging; cut back on water immediately.
Mealybugs or spider mites: check the undersides of leaves regularly.

Looking a little sad? Try yours in the AI diagnosis tool to find out what's wrong.

Is it pet-safe?

Good news: the Pachira aquatica is considered non-toxic to dogs and cats, making it a great choice if you have animals at home. Even so, discourage chewing to keep the plant intact.

With bright light, careful watering and a free-draining soil, the money tree will grow healthy and lush for many years.