While the money tree, more properly known as the pachira money tree, comes from the arid regions of South America, it became famous in Asia, where the story goes that a poor Taiwanese farmer was given a money tree and quickly became wealthy. Dreams of money aside, the money tree is generally grown with braided trunks, in a variety of styles, and the five-fingered leaves are believed by many to represent the five elements of Feng Shui: metal, wood, fire, water and earth. A money tree makes an excellent and unique housewarming gift.
Place your money tree in a location which receives at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. Mist the leaves of your money tree every other day with a spray bottle filled with distilled water.
Water your money tree every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on weather conditions. If the air is extremely dry or there is lots of drying wind, then your tree should be watered every couple of weeks--otherwise, water approximately every 4 weeks. Let the soil become fairly dry between waterings.
Check the leaves of your money tree. If they are wilting then you need to water your tree slightly more often. If the leaves are turning brown, then you are over watering your tree and need to let it dry more between waterings.
Things You Will Need
- Distilled water
- Spray bottle
- Trowel
Tips
- Try to keep the soil fairly loose around your tree.
- While it is not absolutely necessary to water your money tree with distilled water, the chemicals in normal tap water may slow the growth of your tree.
- Money trees grow best in dappled sunlight or in only partial sunlight and partial shade.
