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4 Reasons Why Money Trees Are Blacklisted Despite Being Lucky Houseplants

Despite being a visually appealing ornamental plant with air purifying qualities and auspicious meanings, the money tree (pachira aquatica) has garnered some disdain for the following reasons:

Administrator

23 April, 2024

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Money tree, or Pachira aquatica, is one of the most popular houseplants grown indoors, on desks at work, or even on altars to attract good luck and wealth.

In addition, this plant purifies the air and makes your living space more visually appealing. However, for many people, the money tree still has several “drawbacks” listed below.

Poor cold tolerance

Despite being a tropical plant, the money tree does not tolerate cold temperatures well. If the temperature gets too cold, the plant’s growth will be stunted and it may turn yellow or even die. Therefore, growing money trees in cold climates is extremely difficult.

When growing a money tree in winter, it’s best to place the pot in a room with a heater and ensure the minimum temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius. This will help prevent the money tree from freezing and ensure it continues to thrive.

Roots prone to rot

When growing money trees, if the root system is too wet and the soil is not well-drained, the plant is susceptible to rot. In particular, when growing the money tree in a pot, overwatering can make the plant constantly wet and increase the risk of root rot.

Therefore, the key to caring for a money tree is to control the amount of water given to ensure the soil does not become too wet. Additionally, wait until the soil in the pot is completely dry before watering again. When growing a money tree, choose well-drained, nutrient-rich soil to promote better growth.

If growing hydroponically, change the water about once a week and regularly check the roots to prevent root rot.

Cannot be exposed to direct sunlight

Since the money tree prefers moist, cool environments, it does not like areas with harsh sunlight. If exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period, this plant can get sunburned, affecting its ornamental value and making it look unhealthy and less vibrant.

If you want to grow a money tree, choose a spot in a corner, in the shade, or indoors to ensure the pot receives indirect light. Additionally, the summer sun can be quite harsh, so take precautions to protect the plant from sunburn.

The summer sun can be quite harsh, so take precautions to protect the plant from sunburn.

Ornamental value not highly regarded

When comparing the money tree to other feng shui plants like the money plant, snake plant, or pothos, you’ll notice that its ornamental value is not as high. This is because people grow money trees primarily for their foliage, and the plant rarely blooms.

To get a money tree to bloom, you need to grow it for a relatively long time and provide proper care. However, when it does bloom, the flowers are not particularly attractive. Perhaps this is why, when grown indoors for an extended period, people find the money tree somewhat monotonous. This is also the reason why fewer people choose to grow money trees indoors, opting instead for more colorful plants.

Frequently asked questions

While the money tree is a beloved plant, it does have some challenges. Firstly, it has poor cold tolerance and struggles in temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius. Secondly, its roots are prone to rot if the soil is too wet and not well-drained. Thirdly, it prefers indirect light and cannot tolerate direct sunlight for extended periods. Finally, compared to other Feng Shui plants, its ornamental value is considered lower due to its infrequent blooming and less vibrant appearance.

To thrive in colder climates, money trees should be placed in a room with a heater, maintaining a minimum temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius. This prevents freezing and ensures their growth.

To prevent root rot, ensure the soil is well-drained and avoid overwatering. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. When growing in pots, choose a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil to promote healthier growth.

Place your money tree in a shaded area, preferably in a corner or indoors, to ensure it receives indirect light. During the summer, when the sun is harsher, take extra precautions to shield your plant from direct sunlight to prevent sunburn.

The money tree is primarily grown for its foliage, and it rarely blooms. When it does bloom, the flowers are not particularly attractive. As a result, some people find the plant monotonous when grown indoors for extended periods, opting for more colorful alternatives.