Settle it in bright indirect light and water less than instinct suggests: nearly every money tree that fails does so from a wet compost, not a dry one.
Care
Bright indirect light — it tolerates a little shade, but direct summer sun scorches the leaflets.
Low-medium — water thoroughly, then let the top half of the compost dry out; the swollen stem base stores water and rots if kept wet.
Peat-free houseplant compost with added grit or perlite for drainage.
Prune in spring to control height and encourage branching; it responds well and reshoots readily. Don't unpick a braided stem — the braid holds several young plants together and separating them usually kills them.
A balanced houseplant feed monthly through the growing season, at half strength, and nothing in winter. Yellow lower leaves are almost always overwatering rather than hunger, so check the compost before reaching for fertiliser.
Tip cuttings in late spring or summer, with a couple of leaves and gentle bottom heat; they root reasonably well but never develop the swollen base of a seed-raised plant. Commercially these are raised from seed.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilPrune to shape and repot if needed as growth restarts. how ›
- JuneFeed monthly through the growing season. how ›
- NovemberWater much less over winter; the swollen base carries the plant through. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPrune to shape and repot if needed as growth restarts. how ›
- JuneFeed monthly through the growing season. how ›
- NovemberWater much less over winter; the swollen base carries the plant through. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Lower leaves going yellow and falling.
What to do. Nearly always overwatering — let the compost dry further between waterings and check the pot drains.
How to spot it. The swollen base going soft and dark.
What to do. Root or stem rot from wet compost; unlikely to be saved once it reaches the stem.
How to spot it. Sudden shedding after being relocated or repotted.
What to do. It dislikes change; settle it in one spot with stable light and temperature.
Questions
Money tree: is it hardy?
H1b: Tender, needs above 10°C. It survives above 10 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — a houseplant by definition; use a pot with good drainage and resist over-potting.
Money tree: when do you prune it?
Prune in spring to control height and encourage branching; it responds well and reshoots readily. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in April.
When do you feed it?
A balanced houseplant feed monthly through the growing season, at half strength, and nothing in winter. Yellow lower leaves are almost always overwatering rather than hunger, so check the compost before reaching for fertiliser. Feeding months, UK: April–September.