How Fast Do Money Trees Grow? (+Factors Affecting Growth)

Curious about how fast a money tree(Pachira Aquatica) grows? Look no further. This guide has all the answers you need.

On average, a young money tree grows between 18 and 24 inches yearly. However, the growth rate slows down as the money tree matures. Being a tropical plant, the money tree requires a temperature between 65-80°F and a humidity level above 60% to grow exponentially.

The money trees are easy to care for and don’t require much attention. But if you can fulfill its basic needs, you will see accelerated growth in the plant.

By the end of this guide, you’ll understand the money tree’s growth rate and have the knowledge to help yours flourish. So, let’s dive right into it.

How big does a money tree get?

A money tree is a tropical plant from Central and South America; it can grow as tall as 60 feet in its natural environment.

An indoor money tree will not grow so tall but can grow to a height of three to six feet.

You can control the size of the money tree by clipping it to your desired length.

Factors that affect the growth rate of the money tree

All plants show optimum growth when they are in the ideal living environment.

If you keep a check on the external factors that affect the growth of your money tree, you will be able to see it grow at its best. Some of the common factors that affect the growth of money trees are:

• Light
• Water
• Fertilization
• Temperature and humidity
• The size of the pot
• Potting soil type
• Pruning
• Season

How does light affect the money tree growth rate?

Light is fundamental for all plants as it helps in photosynthesis, with the help of which plants get their energy for all their daily activities.

The money tree loves a lot of light that it requires daily. In their native land, the money trees are used to getting ample sunlight, which they need even as houseplants.

Remembering this, you should select a spot for your money tree where it will receive enough light to sustain itself and grow at its best.

However, you should never allow your money tree to remain under direct sunlight. The money tree can tolerate the soft sunlight in the morning and sunset. Anything other than that will be too harsh for the plant.

The ideal light requirement of the money tree is between 6 to 8 hours of indirect sunlight daily.

You can place the money tree near a window that gets sufficient light all day and use curtains to filter the sunlight.

If you place your money tree outside, don’t forget to keep it under shade to protect it from the direct and harsh sunlight.

Also Read: How Much Light Does A Money Tree Need?

Does watering affect the money tree growth rate?

Going wrong with watering is one common mistake that many houseplant owners make. If you don’t water your money tree correctly, it can slow down the plant’s growth.

The money tree requires watering once every one to two weeks. You can start by following this and check how your plant responds to it.

However, the best way to water the money tree is to touch the soil and check if it is dry or moist. You can consider watering the plant once the soil is 50-70% dry.

Tips on watering

If you follow the below-mentioned steps, you can get your watering right.

• Get well-draining soil for your money tree. 
• Get a pot with drainage holes.
• Check the soil before watering the plant. 
• The soil should be at least 50 to 70% dry before you can water the plant again. 
• Avoid watering if the soil feels moist. Wait for a few days to give it time to dry out. 
• You can create a watering routine by following these steps.
• Check the soil even if you are following a watering pattern.

The money tree doesn’t enjoy sitting in the water for long, which can cause overwatering. If you have an overwatered money tree, stop watering it and keep it under good light to dry out.

If you have an underwater money tree, you need to start watering it a little more and keep increasing it gradually till you find out what is best for your plant.

During winters, the water requirements of the money tree will reduce due to environmental changes, so you should not water it as you do during the other times of the year.

If you are a beginner, you must use a moisture meter to check the moisture before watering your money tree.

Also Read: How Often Should I Water My Money Tree? (Money Tree Water Requirements)

Effect of Fertilization on How Fast Money Trees Grow

You cannot skip fertilizing your money tree if you want to see growth in it. Fertilizers add nutrition to the soil that helps the plant remain healthy and grow fast.

Fertilizing the money tree once a month during the growing season is ideal. However, the money tree is a light feeder, so you should not fertilize it with a heavy dose.

You can select a well-balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10:10:10 or 20:20:20. Read the instructions behind the bottle of the fertilizer, dilute the prescribed dose, and give it to your money tree.

Diluting the fertilizer helps to prevent overfertilization. Fertilizing during the winter season can also lead to overfertilization.

Like most other houseplants, the money tree does not require any fertilizer in the winter season. Since winter is the resting period for the plant, it does not grow and, therefore, doesn’t need any fertilizing.

If you do not see much growth in your money tree, it can be due to overfertilization or underfertilization. While under-fertilization is easier to deal with, you just need to add fertilizers to the plant; over-fertilization requires more attention.

If you have an overfertilized money tree, you should let running water fast through the soil to eliminate excess salt. Do it at least 2-3 times to eliminate the excess salt.

Do not fertilize your money tree for at least a month to let it recover. If you still don’t see much difference, you should consider repotting.

Repotting is required when the situation is serious. This will help the plant get out of the over-fertilized soil and start with a fresh soil mix to help it return to health.

Also Read: Does Money Tree Need Fertilizer? (How Much, How Often & Best Pick)

How Temperature and Humidity affects money tree growth

The money tree can sustain itself in low temperature and humidity levels. But these can heavily affect its growth.

Money trees can tolerate diverse conditions for a short period. If you keep them under unfavorable conditions for a long time, they will develop various problems, such as yellow leaves and stunted growth.

The money tree will likely suffer during the winter when temperature and humidity levels drop. It is crucial to keep the plant away from cold drafts and frost.

Similarly, heating systems such as radiators, furnaces, or vents can burn the money tree leaves if you keep it too close.

If you want to see good growth in your money tree, you need to maintain the optimum temperature and humidity levels in the area where your plant is placed.

The money tree thrives in temperatures between 65-80°F and 50-70% humidity levels.

In low humidity levels, consider using a humidifier to increase the humidity inside the room or place the money tree on a pebble tray to add moisture around the plant.

You can place the money tree near a heating system to increase the temperature, but consider keeping it at least a few feet away so the leaves don’t get burnt.

The size of the pot plays a vital role in the growth of the money tree

The size of the pot that holds your money tree can determine the growth and development of the plant.

If you are not using the correct pot, it may hinder your money tree’s growth.

If a pot is too small, the money tree will become root-bound and have no space for growth, whereas if placed in a large pot, it will hold too much water that will suffocate the roots and cause stunted growth.

You must repot the money tree into a larger pot if you use a small pot.

Always choose a pot two inches bigger than the size of your money tree. You can select the correct pot size if you follow this.

Once the money tree outgrows the current pot, you must repot it in a large pot to have enough space for growth.

Also read: What Happens If You Put A Plant in A Pot Too Big?

Choosing appropriate Potting soil is crucial for Pachira aquatica growth rate.

Soil is the element that holds the plant in its place and provides nutrition and water to it. So, you can understand the importance of soil in determining the plant’s growth.

Before you get suitable soil for your money tree, you need to understand its needs.

The money tree doesn’t enjoy sitting in the water for long, so you should get well-draining soil that will drain excess water out of the pot.

Using a heavy oil make for your money tree will retain more water than required and cause overwatering. The soil will not get good airflow and will remain moist most of the time. All these will lead to root rot.

In this situation, the plant will not only have stunted growth but also get stressed. If you don’t do anything about it, the condition will get worse.

Therefore, choose the soil that has a higher quantity of sand for components that support proper drainage.

Also Read: What Kind Of Soil Does A Money Tree Need? (+Best Soil Mix)

Pruning can boost the growth rate of money tree

Pruning the money tree at frequent intervals helps to keep it in shape and boosts its growth hormones.

If you don’t prune your money tree on time, it will grow tall, heavy, and fall over.

Pruning helps the money tree grow evenly and makes it look good.

If you don’t see much growth in your money tree, lack of pruning might be the reason. If the plant grows heavy on top, the other parts, such as roots and trunk, become weak due to the weight and fail to support the plant.

Tips for pruning

Consider these points before pruning your money tree.

• Prune the money tree if you notice overgrowth.
• Avoid pruning more than 30% to avoid stressing the plant.
• Always use sterilized pruners while tuning the money tree.
• Prune all the damaged and dead parts of the plant.
• Prune the money tree during the growing season.
• Avoid pruning in the winter season.

Seasonality plays a vital role in the growth of a money tree

The money trees can grow fast during the growing season if they get sufficient light, proper water, and enough fertilizer.

If you take good care of your money tree during the growing season, you will see considerable growth in the plant.

However, it might not be easy to notice any growth in the dormant period. Winter is the resting period of most houseplants because of low light. The rate of function of the plants decreases during this time, so you might not see any growth.

Do not fertilize the plants now, and reduce the watering. If you continue the same care routine during winter, you will stress your plant.

So, if you don’t notice much growth in the winter season in your money tree, you should not worry, as it is natural for the plant not to grow and rest.

Also Read: How To Take Care Of A Money Tree In The Winter?

Final words

Caring for your money tree is easy if you know its requirements.

If you take care of all the above points, your money tree will grow fast.

Experiment with all the plant requirements to determine what suits it. Evaluate your care routine from time to time, as the needs of your money tree might change along with the changes in external conditions.

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Reference: WIKIPEDIA.