How Fast Does A Money Tree Grow? (+Factors Affecting Growth)

The money tree (Pachira Aquatica) is one such tree that looks good both as a small and big plant. If you are getting a money tree for your house, you might be wondering how fast does a money tree grows. That’s what we are going to find out today.

On average, a young money tree grows anywhere between 18-24 inches every year. However, the growth rate slows down as the money tree matures. Being a tropical plant, 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 a lot of attention. But if you can fulfill its basic needs, you will see accelerated growth in the plant.

We will dive deep to find the growth rate of the money tree and the factors that can affect its growth.

Money tree size

A money tree is a tropical plant that comes from Central and South America, the money tree 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 tree are:

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

Light

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

The money tree loves a good amount of light that it requires every day. In their native land, the money trees are used to getting ample sunlight, and that’s what they need even as houseplants.

Keeping this in mind, you should select a spot for your money tree where it will receive enough light to sustain itself and also 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 during 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 every day.

You can place the money tree near a window that gets sufficient light all day, and you can 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?

Water

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. Once the soil is 50-70% dry, you can consider watering the plant.

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, and that can cause overwatering. If you have an overwatered money tree, stop watering it and keep it under good light so that it can dry out.

If you have an underwatered money tree, you need to start watering 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 the 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)

Fertilization

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 and 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 under fertilization. While under-fertilization is easier to deal with, you just need to add fertilizers to the plant; overfertilization requires more attention.

If you have an overfertilized money tree, you should let running water fast through the soil to eliminate excess salt out of it. Do it at least 2-3 times to get rid of 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 that can help it get back to health.

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

Temperature and humidity

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 start developing various problems such as yellow leaves and stunted growth.

The money tree is likely to suffer during the winter when both 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 leaves of the money tree 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 that the leaves don’t get burnt.

The size of the pot

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 won’t have any 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.

If you use a small pot, you need to transplant the money tree into a larger pot.

Always choose a pot that is 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 need to 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?

Potting soil type

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

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

If you use a heavy oil make for your money tree, it will retain more water than required and cause overwatering. The soil will not get good airflow, and it 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

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 and heavy and fall over.

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

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.

Season

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 consider fertilizing the plants at this time and reduce the watering. If you continue the same care routine during winter, you will end up stressing 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 entirely natural for the plant not to grow and take a rest.

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

Final words

It is easy to care for your money tree if you are aware of its requirements.

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

Experiment with all the requirements of the plant to figure out what is suitable for it. Evaluate your care routine from time to time as the needs of your money tree might change along with the changes of the external conditions.

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Reference: NYBG, WIKIPEDIA, CABI, Missouri Botanical Garden, Effect of light intensity on plant growth.