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

Soil is a vital element that determines the growth of your money tree. Therefore, you must choose the correct soil that will not cause any problem for the plant. So in this article, we will learn what kind of soil does a money tree needs and we will also check out the best soil mixes that you can pick.

As a general rule, money tree prefers a well-draining and well-aerated soil that ensures adequate drainage but at the same time holds enough moisture for the plant. A peat-based soil that contains 1 part peat, 1 part perlite, 1 part coarse sand, and a handful of compost is a good mix.

The soil should contain proper nutrition for the plant. Though the money tree can tolerate acidic and alkaline soils, the ideal pH level is between 6.0 and 7.5.

With that said, you can prepare different types of soil mixes that do equally well for your money tree.

However, it would be best to consider other external factors while choosing the correct soil for your money tree. Let’s understand how to select the best soil for your money tree.

Why is it important to choose the right soil?

It is essential to choose the correct soil for the money tree because it gets all its nutrition and water from the soil. The plant remains in the soil for as long as you decide to repot them again. 

If you don’t choose the right soil, it will affect the plant’s health, which will lead to problems and diseases. 

Keep the below-mentioned points in mind while selecting the right soil for your money tree. 

• The soil should contain all the nutrients that your plant requires.
• It should deliver water to all parts of the plant through the roots.
• The soil should be well aerated.
• It should hold enough water for the plant and support well drainage that allows excess water to drain out.

Signs that indicate that you are using the wrong potting soil

If you are using an unsuitable soil mix for your money tree, the plant will have problems and give out signs.

Drooping leaves

Other than overwatering and underwatering, using the wrong soil mix can cause drooping leaves in your money tree.

Even if you are giving the plant adequate water, the wrong soil mix will retain more water and not allow adequate water drainage. It will affect the roots and damage them.

The wrong soil mix might also fail to hold the required water if it has too many large particles. It will lead to an underwater plant, and the leaves will droop due to a lack of water.

Also read: Can I Use Garden Soil For Indoor Plants?

Brown spots

When you have an overwatered plant, the leaves start showing brown spots on them. However, overwatering might not be the reason every time. Using the wrong soil can also affect the plant and its health.

Heavy soil mixes that hold too much water then let the plant sit on the water for days. The excess water will not drain out, causing root rot and brown spots on leaves.

Falling leaves

The leaves fall off the plant when it is susceptible to root rot after sitting on the water for many days.

Take the roots of your money tree and report the plant if there is a root rot using the correct soil. It will allow the plant to recover and not have root rot in the future.

Also Read: Why Are My Money Tree Leaves Falling Off? (Causes+How To Fix)

What kind of soil is best for money tree?

What POTTING MIX To Use For PACHIRA | How often to water money tree plant

If you are not aware of what soil is best for your money tree, you need to understand your plant and its requirements.

The money tree can tolerate infrequent watering but needs thorough watering. So, you need to select a soil that can handle thorough watering.

The suitable soil will not retain excess water and will allow good drainage but at the same time, it holds the required moisture for the money tree.

If your money tree sits in water for long, it will have root rot that is a severe issue found in plants. To avoid root rot, you need a sound drainage system and well-draining soil.

You can add large particles to the soil to make it well-draining. The excess water should drain out from the bottom of the pot after you water the plant thoroughly.

Money tree thrives in soil with pH levels ranging between 6.0 and 7.5.

Even if you have potted your money tree using the perfect soil, you should still consider repotting it after some years as the soil’s acidity increases that might not be suitable for the plant.

Best soil mix for a money tree

Now that you know the soil requirements of the money tree, you can prepare the perfect soil mix for the plant. Let’s see how we can do the same.

Below we have shared some soil recipes. You can choose anyone from these and create the perfect soil mix for your money tree.

Or you can buy pre-made soil mixtures that are sold in the stores. You can get a succulent or a cactus mix as this type of soil will allow the water to drain quickly.

While selecting the soil, make sure that it has peat moss, perlite, sand, pebble, etc.

#Recipe 1

• One part peat moss
• One part sand
• One part perlite

Peat moss retains the moisture that your plant requires. However, it is too heavy for the money tree. So if you mix sand and perlite, it will become well-draining and ideal for the money tree.

#Recipe 2

You can prepare this recipe if you already have some cactus or succulent mix. This type of soil is already well-draining, so we will just add some peat moss to retain the moisture long enough for the money tree to absorb the same. 

• Two parts cactus or succulent mix
• One part peat moss

This recipe not only makes the soil well-draining but also allows good aeration that will keep the roots healthy.

#Recipe 3

• One part compost
• One part perlite
• One part coconut coir

Coconut coir product of the coconut fiber industry and can be used in the potting soil. However, it is not nutritious enough, so you need to add other ingredients such as compost to add nutrition and perlite to make the soil well-draining.

When should I repot my money tree?

The money tree can grow six to eight feet long, and whenever it outgrows the pot in the process, you will need to repot the plant.

If you notice that your money tree has grown long roots that are coming out of the drainage holes, you should understand that the plant has become root-bound. If you don’t repot it soon, its growth will slow down.

It is ideal for the money tree to be repotted every two to three years. You should repot it even if it is not root-bound.

Repotting provides more nutrition to the plant that it gets from the fresh soil mix. The old soil loses nutrients over time and becomes acidic, which is not suitable for the plant.

If your money tree is suffering from root rot, it will need repotting to recover.

It will help if you repot the money tree during the growing season, summer and spring. Repotting in the winter can be detrimental to the plant.

What kind of pot to use for money tree?

Whenever you are getting a new pot for your money tree, you should keep in mind that it should have the correct size and a sound drainage system. If you plan to repot your money tree, choose a one to two inches bigger pot than the previous one.

It is ideal to choose one size larger pot whenever you are reporting the money tree. It will allow the plants to grow freely.

You should avoid choosing a huge pot as that will hold more soil that might retain more water and cause root rot. In a bigger pot, the plant will focus on growing the roots more than growing the foliage.

In the case of a smaller pot, the plant will not have enough space to grow.

Never get a pot that has no drainage holes as that will not support well drainage. Without proper drainage, your money tree will sit in water and suffer from root rot or pest infestation.

How to repot a money tree?

Repotting is required to ensure that the plant is not deprived of space and nutrition. 

It is best not to report the money tree during winter as the plant remains dormant. Repotting can cause stress to your money tree if done in winter.

You can repot your money tree during summer or spring and take care of the plant afterward to avoid stressing it.

Before you start repotting, be ready supplies: 

• A new pot
• Fresh soil mix
• Sterilized pruners
• Watering can

Let’s find out how to repot the money tree. 

1. Take the money tree out of its current pot.
2. It will help if you are gentle while taking the plant out of the pot, as you wouldn’t want any damage.
3. If the plant doesn’t come out easily, you can use a knife and run it along the pot’s sides to loosen up the soil.
4. To remove the soil from the roots.
5. You can place the roots under running water to clean the soil.
6. Take a pair of sterilized pruners or scissors and get rid of the damaged roots, leaves, and stems.
7. Make sure to make clean cuts while pruning.
8. Once you are done with the pruning, fill one-third of the pot with the fresh soil mix.
9. Place your money tree inside the pot and fill the sides with more soil.
10. Pat the soil around the roots to get rid of any gaps or air pockets.
11. Water the plant thoroughly so that it can settle down and not be stressed.

Final Words

• Money tree requires a well-draining soil that can handle thorough watering and not retain excess water.
• Choose the correct pot that has proper drainage holes.
• Repot the money tree every 2 to 3 years. Repot if the plant if it gets root-bound or has any disease or infection.
• Keep a check on the soil and add fertilizer to it whenever required.
• Keep a check on the soil and the plant from time to time to ensure that nothing is wrong. 

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