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Plant guideMoney tree care: the complete guide
Guidance verified against North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, the ASPCA and current care guides from Bloomscape and Soltech on 30 September 2026. Figures were taken from search summaries of those pages, dated the same day. Sources linked below.
A money tree (Pachira aquatica) wants bright, indirect light, water only when the top inch or so of soil has dried, and steady temperatures of 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C). It is a tropical wetland tree that still rots in soggy indoor soil, it is damaged below 55°F (13°C), and the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
| Attribute | What a money tree needs |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light; direct sun burns the leaves, too little light yellows them |
| Water | Thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil is dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks; less in winter |
| Temperature | 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C); below 55°F (13°C) and cold drafts cause damage |
| Humidity | Moderate to high, about 50 to 65 per cent preferred |
| Soil / pot | Well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes |
| Fertiliser | Sparingly, at half the recommended strength, in the growing season only |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
Is a money tree the same as a jade plant or a Chinese money plant?
No. A money tree is Pachira aquatica, and at least two other popular plants carry money-themed names. Shops use "money" for luck, not for botany, so the plants below share a name and nothing else.
| Common name | Plant | Type | Care guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money tree | Pachira aquatica | Tropical wetland tree, often sold with a braided trunk | This page |
| Jade plant ("money plant") | Crassula ovata | Succulent that stores water in thick leaves | Jade plant care |
| Chinese money plant | Pilea peperomioides | Round-leaved plant that makes pups | Chinese money plant care |
The practical difference is water. A jade plant is a succulent and wants a long dry spell between drinks, while a money tree wants a thorough soak whenever the top inch of soil dries, typically every 1 to 2 weeks.
How much light does a money tree need?
Give a money tree bright, indirect light. Direct sun can burn the leaves, while too little light causes yellowing and slow growth. Rotate the pot every two weeks so the crown grows evenly instead of leaning toward the window. The general light guide covers reading a room's light level.
How often should you water a money tree?
Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry, then let the excess drain away. That works out to about every 1 to 2 weeks. A money tree dislikes sitting in soggy soil, which leads to root rot. Water less in winter while it is dormant, but do not let the soil dry out completely. Tip out any water that collects in the saucer. The general watering guide covers the finger test.
What temperature and humidity does a money tree need?
A money tree is happiest at 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C) and moderate to high humidity of about 50 to 65 per cent. It is a tropical wetland plant that is sensitive to temperatures below 55°F (13°C) and to cold drafts, so keep it away from leaky windows, air conditioning and heating vents. Sudden temperature swings stress it. The temperature guide lists the range for other plants and the humidity guide covers raising humidity in a dry room.
What soil, pot and fertiliser does a money tree need?
Use a well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes, and fertilise sparingly at half the recommended strength. Feed only in the growing season, on the order of a couple of times a year according to Bloomscape and Soltech, and never into dry soil. The soil and pot guide and fertilising guide cover mixes and dilution, and the repotting guide covers when to move up a pot size.
Why is a money tree trunk braided?
The braid is a growing technique: growers plant three to five separate seedlings together and weave their green, flexible trunks, then grow them on until the wood sets. The practice is said to have started in Taiwan as a way to lock in luck. Two consequences follow. A braided trunk needs no special care and does not need to be unwound, and a cutting taken from it gives one straight-stemmed tree, not a new braid, because each strand is a separate plant.
Why are my money tree's leaves turning yellow or dropping?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Several leaves yellow at once, soft trunk base, soil wet for days | Overwatering or root rot | Let the top inch dry; make sure the pot drains |
| Whole plant pale, soft and slowly yellowing | Too little light | Move to a brighter spot, out of direct sun |
| Leaves drop after a move or near a vent | Cold draft, temperatures under 55°F, or sudden change | Keep it steady and warm; move away from drafts |
| Crisp brown edges or tips | Dry air or underwatering | Raise humidity; water thoroughly when the top inch is dry |
| Scorched pale patches | Direct sun | Move back from the window |
The yellow leaves guide and brown leaves guide cover the general diagnosis.
How do you propagate a money tree?
Take a healthy 4 to 6 inch stem cutting in spring and root it in soil or water. For soil, dip the cut end in water and then rooting hormone, plant it 1 to 2 inches deep in potting or seed-starting mix, and keep it in bright, indirect light with the mix evenly moist. The result is one straight-stemmed tree. The propagation guide compares methods across plants.
Is a money tree toxic to cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists Pachira aquatica as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with no expected oral or systemic effects from chewing. Non-toxic is not the same as edible: chewing a large amount of any plant can cause mild stomach upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea. It is on the pet-safe plants list. Do not confuse it with the similarly named jade plant, which is toxic to pets.
FAQ
- How often should you water a money tree?
- Thoroughly, when the top inch or so of soil is dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks, and less in winter.
- Why are my money tree's leaves turning yellow?
- Usually overwatering; pale, slow yellowing of the whole plant points to too little light.
- Is a money tree toxic to cats and dogs?
- No. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
- Why is a money tree trunk braided?
- Several seedlings are woven together while young and flexible. It is ornamental, not natural.
- Is a money tree the same as a jade plant or Chinese money plant?
- No. They are three unrelated plants, Pachira aquatica, Crassula ovata and Pilea peperomioides, with different care.