Caring for a money tree (botanical Crassula), also known as a penny tree, is not particularly time-consuming. The plant is a succulent and should therefore not be kept too wet. A few tips will help you properly care for your money tree.
How do I properly care for my money tree?
Proper care for a money tree includes a bright location, temperatures of 20-27 degrees in summer, cooler in winter at around 11 degrees, sparing watering, monthly fertilization and, if necessary, cutting back for better branching. Repotting takes place every 3-4 years.
What temperatures does the money tree prefer?
In summer 20 to 27 degrees. In winter keep cool at approx. 11 degrees, never colder than 5 degrees.
In the summer you are welcome to care for the money tree outside and place it directly in the sun.
How to water the money tree correctly?
Don't water money trees too much. The root ball should only be slightly moist.
Do not water until the surface of the substrate is completely dry. Excess water must be poured off immediately.
When and how is fertilization necessary?
The money tree does not have high nutrient requirements. Once a month you can add some cactus fertilizer (€5.00 on Amazon) with the irrigation water. Granules or fertilizer sticks are also suitable. There is no fertilization after repotting or in winter.
Does a penny tree need to be cut?
You don't have to cut a penny tree. However, it can make sense to shape it by cutting it back and encourage it to branch better.
Pruning is done in early spring or after flowering. Use a knife and not secateurs to cut.
When will we repot?
The money tree only needs a larger pot every three to four years. Nevertheless, you should check the penny tree every spring for root damage and repot it in fresh substrate.
Make sure that the new pot is clean and sufficiently stable. The fleshy, water-storing leaves mean that the shoots weigh a lot, causing the planter to tip over quickly.
Is the money tree suitable for cultivation as a bonsai?
You can easily grow money trees as bonsai. Various shapes such as upright tree shapes or baobab shapes are possible.
Since the shoots are very soft and do not form bark, you must not wire a money tree. This would cause the branches to break. Gently bend them into shape and attach them to small support posts.
What diseases can occur?
- Fungal diseases
- Root rot
- Shoot rot
- Mildew
The money tree is actually quite robust. Illnesses usually occur when care is not taken properly. In most cases, too much moisture is responsible for penny tree he alth problems.
Fungal diseases must be treated immediately. Nevertheless, the money tree often cannot be saved once a fungus has spread.
If root rot occurs, you can try repotting the money tree and placing it in fresh, not too moist substrate. To do this, cut off any roots that are soft and rotten.
What pests do you need to watch out for?
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
- Aphids
Pests mainly occur in winter when the air in the rooms is very dry due to heating.
An infestation of mealybugs or spider mites must be treated immediately. To do this, the plant is rinsed and sprayed with an insecticide.
Aphids primarily attack the money tree when it is left outside over the summer. Fight aphids before bringing the money tree back indoors. Otherwise, the pests will spread to all plants. Aphids often cause fungal diseases through their excretions.
Why does the penny tree lose its leaves?
If the money tree loses a lot of leaves, you should examine it closely. Possible causes include too much moisture, a location that is too dark, pests or temperatures that are too high in winter.
What to do if the leaves change color?
Brown spots on the leaves are often caused by sunburn if the money tree is directly behind a pane of glass during midday. If the leaves turn yellow, the money tree is too dark or too moist. Spider mites can also be responsible for the yellowing.
It is not a problem if the leaves of the money tree turn red. This happens to some species when they get a lot of direct sun.
Why do the leaves become soft?
He althy money tree leaves have a strong color and are firm and thick-fleshed. If the leaves and later the shoots become soft, you may have fertilized too much.
Sometimes excessive humidity or a root ball that is too wet is also responsible for the leaves becoming soft.
How to properly overwinter the money tree?
The penny tree comes from South Africa and does not tolerate frost temperatures. However, it must be kept cooler in winter. The following points are important for wintering:
- bright location, install plant lamps if necessary
- Temperatures around 11 degrees, not cooler than 5 degrees
- water less
- do not fertilize
The different high temperatures encourage the money tree to develop flowers. However, the plant has to be a little older for this.
Tip
The money tree contains no toxins. It can therefore be safely grown in households where there are children or pets such as cats.
