Care

Money Trees are an excellent plant for both indoor and outdoor growth. They have lush, bright green leaves and are super hardy. Caring for a bonsai, including the Braided Money Tree, takes time and attention. To keep your plant healthy and thriving, follow some simple tips.

WATERING

Taking care of a Braided Money Tree is easy – it doesn’t need much water. Once a week is enough for most plants, but some can even go a month with just a cup of water. Spraying some water on the leaves once in a while is also a good idea as it helps keep the plant hydrated and clean.

SOIL

To keep your Money Tree healthy, it’s important to have the right soil mixture in the pot. A good mixture includes a blend of earth and small gravel pebbles, with drain holes covered by mesh to allow proper water flow while retaining the soil. Adding river rock to the mix helps create pores in the soil to improve drainage. Some bonsai enthusiasts even prefer a mix of peat, vermiculite and perlite.

LOCATION

Give your Money Tree a cozy spot with moderate sunlight. This plant can handle a range of light conditions, but it’ll thrive with a mix of sun and shade. Too much direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, so it’s best to keep it in a spot with bright indirect light. If you’re keeping it outdoors, it’ll love a sunny to partially shaded spot. Just be mindful of the heat and provide some shade during scorching hot days.

In cooler months, remember to bring it inside if temperatures dip below 50°F. This plant is native to a hot and humid environment, so it won’t do well in the cold. For indoor plants, rotate the pot regularly to ensure even growth and leafing. Even if it’s in a low-light area, the Money Tree can still survive for a long time.

FERTILIZING

Taking care of your Braided Money Tree doesn’t require much fertilizer. In fact, it only needs to be fertilized twice a year, in the spring and fall, with a time-released bonsai fertilizer. To help it thrive, just trim off any dead leaves and make sure it gets plenty of fresh air. With these simple steps, your Money Tree can live a long and healthy life!

PRUNE

To promote growth, regular pruning of the leaves is recommended. Trim away any browning leaves if you want new growth or if your plant is wilting. Pruning can be done at any time of the year and new leaves will soon sprout. The Braided Money Tree is often displayed in a braided or knotted form, which is achieved by shaping the stalks when they are young and pliable. By cutting the stem, you can prune the money tree and eventually new growth will emerge at the cut.

REPOTTING

Your Money Tree will be better from re-potting every two to three years, particularly during springtime or when it seems excessively thirsty. Prune the roots gently and provide a soil mix that includes river sand for optimal drainage.

CONCLUSION

These plants are very robust and any issues are likely the result of excessive watering or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. If you’re new to bonsai, the Braided Money Tree is an excellent choice as it is beginner-friendly.