How Do You Get Luck from a Money Tree? The Complete Guide to Caring for Your Own Good Fortune Plant

As an enthusiastic gardener and lover of houseplants, I‘ve nurtured a money tree of my own for over 5 years. With its braided trunk and vibrant green leaves, this plant is more than home decor – it‘s a living symbol of good fortune!

The money tree has a long history of bringing wealth and prosperity to its caregivers. Originating in swampy areas of Central and South America, legend has it these plants were entwined with actual currency by merchants traveling along trade routes. The twisted branches came to represent prosperity.

Still today, money trees are often gifted as housewarming presents or to celebrate new ventures like businesses and marriages. They‘re the perfect way to share wishes of good luck! Caring for your own money tree isn‘t difficult, but there are some specific growing needs. Follow this guide, and you‘ll have a thriving plant attracting abundance for years to come.

Optimal Care for a Flourishing Money Tree

Having cultivated my own Pachira aquatica for quite some time, I‘ve found these tips produce strong, healthy plants:

Provide Bright, Indirect Sunlight

Money trees prefer lots of light but away from direct sunbeams to prevent leaf burn. East or west facing windows work great. In lower light they may grow more slowly and get leggy. Supplement with a grow light if needed.

Moderate Watering

This is a tropical plant that doesn‘t like continually soggy soil. Allow the top few inches to dry out between waterings, then soak thoroughly. I give mine about 3 cups every 2-3 weeks. Proper drainage holes are critical too.

Average Room Temperature

65-75°F is ideal. Avoid cold drafts and heat vents which can shock the plant. Cooler temps in winter mean less frequent watering.

Humidity is Key!

Misting the leaves or using a pebble tray helps provide the 40-50% humidity these plants prefer. Low humidity causes leaf brown tips and drop.

Rich, Well-draining Soil

A quality potting mix with some added perlite ensures proper drainage. I use an organic mix amended with worm castings for nutrients. Re-pot every 2-3 years in spring.

Feed Regularly

Every two weeks from spring through summer, I give my money tree diluted liquid fertilizer. This nourishes it during the active growing season.

With this consistent care, money trees can live up to 10 years or more and grow quite large – up to 6-8 feet tall indoors! Now let‘s look at using your money tree for luck.

Placement to Attract Prosperity

According to principles of Feng Shui, the southeast area of a home is the optimal money tree location. This aligns with elements Wood and Water, the most auspicious for attracting wealth. Place your money tree in the SE corner if possible, or any warm, bright room will do.

Make sure the area feels uplifting and positive – free of clutter and chaos. I like to accent my money tree with crystals, mini Zen garden, and even feng shui coins for added good fortune! A healthy, vibrant plant channels positive energy into your environment.

The Significance of Lucky 7 Leaves

While most money trees have 5-6 leaves per stem, finding one with a rare 7 leaves is believed extremely fortuitous. It‘s rumored you should buy a lottery ticket whenever you acquire a 7 leaf specimen!

Of course having a 5 or 6 leaf money tree will still bring good luck. The number of leaves correspond to the feng shui elements of water, wood, fire, earth and metal. When all are balanced, it cultivates positive "chi."

Gifting a Money Tree for Prosperity

Giving a money tree as a present has become a popular tradition for birthdays, new home, congratulations on a new job, or a new business venture. It conveys wishes for prosperity and success in that new chapter of life.

Traditionally money trees are shaped with several braided trunks – usually five. This symbolizes bringing the five feng shui elements into harmony to attract wealth. The braided branches also represent coming together and community.

Monthly Money Tree Care Calendar

• Spring/Summer:

  • Water 1-2 times per month, allowing soil to dry some between. Provide more humidity.

  • Feed with fertilizer every 2 weeks to support new growth.

  • Prune and shape if needed. Watch for pests like spider mites.

  • Repot in fresh soil as needed every 2-3 years.

• Fall/Winter:

  • Reduce watering to once monthly. Discontinue fertilizer.

  • Remove any yellowing leaves. Keep away from cold drafts.

  • Rotate plant occasionally for even sunlight.

• Year Round

  • Keep in warm spot with bright indirect light. Wipe leaves regularly with moist cloth.

  • Mist often to provide needed humidity. Add pebbles under the pot to increase.

  • Rotate each month towards the sun for even growth.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Here are some tips to keep your money tree thriving:

Curling or drooping leaves – This is usually from underwatering. Check soil and water well when top few inches are dry.

Leaf yellowing/drop – Overwatering or low humidity. Cut back on water and mist leaves.

Slow growth – Needs more sunlight or fertilizer. Supplement nutrients and move to brighter area.

Leggy growth – Not enough light. Add grow light or rotate for more sun exposure.

Pests – Wipe leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray. Isolate if infestation is severe.

Repotting – Transplant to fresh potting mix every 2-3 years in spring or summer. Prune roots if overly crowded.

With proper care in the right spot, a money tree can grow for over a decade, providing good luck along with vibrant, lush foliage! It makes a perfect low-maintenance houseplant for beginners as well.

Now let‘s compare some specifications on popular varieties:

Variety	Height	Light Needs	Water Frequency	Humidity	Lifespan
Braided (Malayan)	Up to 6ft	Bright indirect	Every 2-3 weeks	40-50%	10+ years
Hawaiian	Up to 10ft	Bright indirect	Weekly	40-50%	10+ years
Dwarf	Up to 3ft	Medium-bright	Every 2-4 weeks	40-50%	8-10 years
Variegated	Up to 6ft	Bright indirect	Every 2-3 weeks	40-50%	10+ years

As you can see, most varieties have similar care but the Hawaiian money tree reaches larger proportions. The compact dwarf is great for smaller spaces.

Propagating Money Trees

If you‘d like to multiply your good fortune, money trees can be easily propagated! Here‘s how:

• Take 6-8 inch stem cuttings in spring using clean shears. Remove lower leaves.

• Dip cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage new roots.

• Plant cutting in small pot with well-draining soil. Cover with plastic bag to retain humidity.

• Place in warm spot with bright, indirect light.

• Keep soil slightly moist but not soggy. Remove bag once new growth appears.

• Transplant to larger pot after a good root system develops in 4-6 weeks.

Training a Money Tree Bonsai

For fun, you can train a miniature money tree in the ancient bonsai style. Here are some tips:

• Start with a small, young specimen with pliable branches.

• Use copper wire to carefully bend and shape branches. Form artistic shapes.

• Prune the top and roots to contain size. This signals the plant to be smaller overall.

• Use a shallow bonsai planter and small gravel "soil" for drainage.

• Keep in warm spot with adequate humidity. Water when slightly dry.

Your miniature money tree can become a living art form! Prune and re-shape wire every year or so.

Additional Lucky Plants to Invite Abundance

Along with the money tree, here are some other prosperous plants I like to grow:

Jade Plant – Its thick round leaves resemble jade coins. Easy to grow succulent.

Citrus Trees – Oranges, lemons, limes represent gold and wealth. Love sun and warmth.

Tulsi or Holy Basil – This sacred herb is a sign of luck in Hindu culture. Enjoy its spicy aroma.

Desert Rose – The bulbous base looks like prosperity. Native to arid climates.

Lucky Bamboo – Cantilevered stems convey good fortune. Grow in water or soil.

Caring for a Money Tree Cultivates Prosperity in Life

Nurturing your own money tree involves more than just water and sunlight. It encourages you to care for your environment and tend to things diligently. These actions translate into prosperity in life overall!

Setting a monthly plant care routine keeps your priorities ordered. Checking soil moisture levels teach attention and mindfulness. And the beauty of flourishing green leaves lifts your spirits, which attracts more abundance.

Soon your thriving money tree will have you feeling more organized, focused, and optimistic about achieving prosperity. Just like the plant itself, caring for it reaps extended rewards. And sharing a money tree gift spreads this good fortune to others!

I hope you‘ve found this money tree growing guide helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! Wishing you luck and blessings.