How to Prune a Money Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide

A Money Tree is a tropical wetland tree from Central and South America. While it prefers growing naturally in the wild swamps, it's also easy to grow indoors. The only issue with these plants is their ability to grow quickly and spread out in all directions, making pruning it a must. Luckily, Money Tree pruning is a straightforward process with several benefits to offer.

With our comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about pruning a Money Tree correctly, the reasons for trimming your Pachira Aquatica, and some helpful post-pruning care tips.

About Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)

The Money Tree or Pachira Aquatica, is a tropical plant, known for its unique braided trunk and large, deep-green leaves. This tree-shaped plant is popular among beginners because it is relatively easy to care for, thrives in bright, indirect light, and needs to be watered only when the top inch of soil feels dry.

In Feng Shui, the Money tree holds a special meaning and symbolism. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, making it a thoughtful gift for new businesses or homes. Additionally, it’s pet-friendly, as it is non-toxic to cats and dogs. With the right care, Money Trees can flourish in any environment and become a beautiful addition to your living space, enhancing both its style and positive energy.

Reasons for Pruning a Money Tree

There are various reasons for pruning a Money Tree:

• Removing struggling or dead branches and leaves from your Money Tree redirects its energy to other parts, thus ensuring optimal growth.
• Pruning is a great way to treat common plant diseases, such as fungal or bacterial infections, and keep them from spreading to the whole plant.
• If your Money Tree has gone out of shape, pruning will encourage bushier growth at the top.
• If your plant looks too crowded or dense, it's more likely to suffer from poor air circulation, weak growth, and limited photosynthesis due to sunlight blockage. Pruning is the best fix for all these issues.

When to Prune a Money Tree

Prune a Money Tree in spring or summer, when the plant is actively growing, for best results. However, trimming your plant at other times of the year or as damaged branches and leaves appear is fine.

Tools You Need

Gather these tools:

• Gardening gloves
• Pruning shears (or a pair of scissors)
• Small brush or clean cloth (to wipe off any dirt or debris on the leaves)

Before you begin pruning, please sterilize your pruning shears or scissors with rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading diseases to your plant.

How to Prune a Money Tree the Right Way

A Money Tree is one of the fastest-growing plants, capable of growing up to 24 inches a year. Thus, regular pruning is a no-miss for maintaining its shape and encouraging new growth.

How you prune depends on the problem you want to fix. Start with where to cut.

Where to Cut a Money Tree

Cut about 1/3 inch above a healthy leaf node, the point where a leaf attaches to the stem. New shoots, leaves, and branches grow from the node.

Damaged Leaves

If you notice dead, damaged, or diseased leaves on your Money Tree, it's a good idea to remove them. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut any yellow or brown leaves near the base. This will encourage the plant to channel its energy into producing new leaves and prevent any disease from spreading.

How to Prune a Money Tree That Is Too Tall

If your Money Tree is getting too tall and leggy, prune it to promote more growth in the lower branches. Cut back the top stems to your desired height, just above a leaf node (the spot where a leaf grows from the stem). This will make the tree focus on growing more branches and leaves lower down, creating a fuller shape.

Too Crowded or Dense

Money Trees can become crowded over time, due to their fast-growing nature, with leaves growing in many directions. If your plant looks too crowded or dense, thin out the branches by trimming some of the inner stems. This will allow more air and light to reach the center of the plant, helping it grow evenly.

Out of Shape

Pruning helps keep your Money Tree’s natural, tree-like shape. Trim back any branches that extend beyond this natural form, such as those forming a V-shape from the trunk. To do this, position your finger just above the V-shape and hold your gardening shears at a 45° angle. Cut about ⅓ inch (1.3 cm) above the V-shape to ensure healthy regrowth.

How to Make a Leggy Money Tree Bushier

If your Money Tree looks stretched out with long, bare branches, it's time to trim it back. Cut above a leaf node to encourage the plant to push out new shoots and leaves. This will help make the tree look bushier and more balanced in appearance.

How to Care for a Money Tree After Pruning

Pruning stresses any plant. Extra care afterward helps the cuts heal, supports new growth, and speeds recovery.

• Place your Money Tree in bright to medium indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours daily. It’ll also do well under grow lights if there's not sufficient sunlight.
• Ensure your plant’s potting mix has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Repot your tree when it outgrows its container, using a fresh, nutrient-rich, peat-based mix.
• Money Trees only need to be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. You may need to water more frequently in the summer months and cut down in the fall and winter.
• The ideal temperature range for Pachira aquatica to thrive is 65°F and 75°F. Never place it near heaters or cold drafts.
• Use a diluted, liquid-based fertilizer to feed your Money Tree, but in moderation.
• Lastly, maintain medium to high humidity around the plant. This can be done by placing it on top of a pebble tray filled with water, manually misting the leaves, or using a small humidifier.

How to Prune a Money Tree: FAQs

Q: How do you encourage new growth on a Money Tree?

A: To encourage new growth on a Money Tree, place your money tree in bright, indirect light and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize it every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Pruning any leggy or damaged branches also helps.

Q: Is it bad luck to trim a money tree?

A: No. The money tree's lucky reputation comes from Feng Shui, where a healthy, full plant is the goal. Trimming dead, yellow, or leggy growth keeps it that way. Learn more about money tree meaning and symbolism.

Q: Can you cut the top off a Money Tree?

A: Yes, you can cut the top off a Money Tree to control its size or encourage bushier growth. Cut just above a node. This will promote new growth from that spot, helping the plant stay healthy.

Q: Where is the node on a Money Tree?

A: The node is a small bump or ring where leaves, stems, and branches grow from the main stem of the Money Tree. It's usually found where a leaf or branch attaches to the trunk.

Q: Where to cut a Money Tree for propagation?

A: To propagate your Money Tree, cut just below a node on a healthy stem with at least 2-3 leaves. The cutting should be around 6 inches long. Remove the lower leaves, then place the cutting in water or moist soil to grow roots.

Conclusion

Pruning fixes damaged leaves, bare branches, an untidy shape, and too much height. Use clean, sterilized shears, cut above a leaf node, and follow the aftercare tips so your tree recovers quickly.

For companion plants, consider growing Pothos, Spider Plants, or Peace Lilies alongside your Money Tree. These plants thrive in similar conditions and can make your space look beautiful and inviting.