The money tree, or Pachira aquatica, is an incredibly popular houseplant. It’s commonly used in feng shui and — as you might have guessed from the name — is believed to bring wealth to those who care for it.
These plants can reach up to 60 feet tall in nature! But those kept as houseplants typically remain under 8 feet tall. In gift shops and garden centers, you’ll often find this tropical evergreen boasting an intricately braided trunk.
Anyone can grow one of these popular houseplants as long as they are provided with adequate sunlight and water. For optimal growth, however, fertilizer is also important. I’ve reviewed some of the best fertilizers for money trees below along with how I recommend using them for the best results.
Top-Rated Money Tree Fertilizers
Care requirements don’t need to be very complicated especially because these plants are light feeders and have modest nutrient needs. I’ve compiled this article to provide a detailed insight into the how, when, and exactly why you need to fertilize.
But, if you’re looking for my top-rated fertilizer recommendations then choose one of the following:
Best Organic Fertilizer
Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer 2-3-1
Organic, liquid concentrate for indoor and outdoor use. Enhances growth and foliage appearance quickly and is great for improving poor soil.
Best Liquid Fertilizer
Bonide Liquid Plant Food 10-10-10
Evenly balanced NPK that is perfect for money trees throughout the growing season. Expect fast results from this liquid feed.
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Choosing the Best Fertilizers for Money Trees
While plant nutrition can be a complicated science, home gardeners only need to focus on a few macro and micronutrients to grow healthy money trees! Feeding your plant a relatively balanced fertilizer and ensuring the soil is in a desirable pH range will take care of most nutritional needs.
N-P-K Ratio
An N-P-K ratio is a sequence of 3 numbers representing the three most important nutrients in plant nutrition: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You’ll find N-P-K ratios displayed prominently on the fertilizer packaging.
Nitrogen (N) is the macronutrient most plants consume in the highest quantities. On a cellular level, plants need nitrogen to create structural proteins and chlorophyll. Nitrogen supports vegetative growth and leaf production.
Phosphorus (P) is essential for photosynthesis, cell division, and more. Its most important functions are in root development and reproduction.
Potassium (K) is key to healthy flower and fruit development. It regulates the movement of water and nutrients along with the rate of photosynthesis.
Money trees respond well to a variety of N-P-K ratios. If you’re looking for the simplest solution, however, I recommend investing in a balanced fertilizer. That means one where the macronutrient percentages or NPK ratios are similar or the same.
Soil pH and Nutrient Uptake
Money trees prefer slightly acidic or neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Soil pH is important because it affects how easily plant roots can absorb macro and micronutrients.
The most common nutrient deficiencies for these plants are iron and magnesium. Soil that is too alkaline will impact iron availability. Meanwhile, magnesium isn’t readily available in overly acidic soil. Use a soil test kit to check the pH levels in your soil to make it easier to keep your soil levels in the right range.
Granular Vs Liquid Fertilizer
Since money trees respond well to diluted fertilizer, my go-to tends to be a liquid formula. However, I also know of many people who use granules, spikes, and other options with great success.
Liquid Concentrate or Spray
Liquid fertilizer is my go-to choice when feeding any potted plant. It’s super easy to dilute liquid fertilizer to suit your plants’ needs. Plus, there’s less risk of creating pockets of concentrated nutrients that will burn the roots.
One downside of liquid fertilizer is that it’s usually more expensive than dry formulas. However, that’s not a big deal when fertilizing money trees and other houseplants!
Fertilizer Granules
If you have a money tree growing outdoors, granular fertilizer is likely the most convenient and economical option. Fertilizer granules make it easy to cover a large area.
You can definitely use fertilizer granules in containers as well. However, they wouldn’t be my first choice.
Fertilizer Spikes
Fertilizer spikes deliver nutrients in a way very similar to granules but in a slightly different package. Like granules, fertilizer spikes release nutrients slowly over time. This lowers the risk of fertilizer burn.
I recommend using fertilizer spikes to feed large, potted money trees when you are unable to keep up with liquid feedings.
Organic vs Synthetic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are those with nutrients sourced from sources like animal manure, peat bogs, and aged compost. Synthetic fertilizers are those with nutrients sourced from things like mined minerals and gasses.
Selecting an organic or synthetic fertilizer for your plants is ultimately a personal choice. As far as performance goes, you can expect to see similar (if not identical) results from either option.
Money Tree Fertilizers Reviewed
When feeding a money tree, less is always more. So it’s important to arm yourself with a high-quality fertilizer that can be diluted or otherwise adjusted to reduce the risk of harm.
For the best results possible, these are the 6 formulas I recommend:
Pros
- Listed for organic gardening by OMRI
- Concentrated formula is easy to dilute
- Safe for weekly feeding
Cons
- It May have a fishy odor
This Neptune’s Harvest fertilizer is popular for use on outdoor-grown plants such as vegetables and flowering perennials. If you don’t mind the odor (and I know that many gardeners are fine with it), I can vouch for how well it works on outdoor grown and indoor plants too.
While any fertilizer can be overapplied, I find that this particular formula makes it very difficult. It’s designed to be diluted with water and you can easily adjust the strength as needed. The low N-P-K ratio also reduces the risk of fertilizer burn and is a great option for the light-feeding requirements of money Tree plants.
When diluted to the proper strength, a single bottle of this fertilizer will last you a long time (even when feeding weekly!).
How To Use: The recommended application for houseplants is 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per gallon of water. For money trees, however, I’d err on the side of caution by using as little as 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Re-apply every week.
Pros
- Balanced nutrient profile
- Designed for all houseplants
Cons
- Must be diluted
This liquid concentrate from Bonide is affordable, compact, and easy to dilute. It’s a great option for houseplants under your care.
Because of the balanced N-P-K ratio, this formula is a great starting point for new money plant owners. It’s guaranteed to provide everything your money tree needs with minimal risk of overfeeding.
As is, this fertilizer is meant to be diluted before each application. I recommend diluting to at least half-strength to prevent fertilizer burn.
How To Use: Per the packaging, mix ⅛ teaspoon of fertilizer per 1 quart of water. Water houseplants as usual.
Pros
- Pre-measured capsules are easy to use
- Safe for use around children and pets
- Delivers nutrients slowly to prevent fertilizer burn
Cons
- Not very cost-effective
If you’re enchanted by the fertilizer spike concept, I definitely suggest trying out EarthPods. These capsules work just like spikes but with a few key advantages (at least, in my opinion).
The first thing I like about EarthPods is their size. It’s much easier to feed houseplants without overwhelming or damaging the root system. You’ll also be able to distribute the pods more evenly throughout the soil.
Another thing I like about this formula is the quality and range of ingredients. EarthPods deliver a steady supply of macro- and micronutrients and beneficial microbes.
How To Use: Push EarthPods completely into the soil around your indoor plant every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season. The recommended number of capsules per feeding depends on your plant’s size.
Pros
- Simple to use on potted houseplants
- Releases nutrients for up to 2 months
Cons
- High risk of fertilizer burn if misused
Miracle-Gro is an affordable brand that delivers quality nutrition if you know how to best use its products. Often fertilizer spikes get a bad press due to their price point and quantities needed to cover larger areas. However, I know of many people who swear by this formula for their indoor plants!
My one concern about using this fertilizer on a money tree is the overall strength. The spikes can’t be diluted without snapping them in half and so aren’t guaranteed to distribute nutrients evenly.
I recommend spacing them as far away from your plant’s root system as possible or crumbling them into granules to get a more even distribution.
How To Use: Make a hole in the soil for each fertilizer spike. Gently press the spikes into the surface, covering them with soil.
The recommended number of spikes to use is determined by your money tree’s container size. You can find these feeding guidelines on the product label.
Pros
- Easy-to-use pump bottle
- Can be applied directly or diluted
- Balanced N-P-K ratio
Cons
- Requires frequent applications
Fertilizer spikes aren’t the only Miracle-Gro product I recommend for indoor-grown money trees. This liquid plant food is another great option.
With proper use, it’s very hard to overfeed with this formula. It has a balanced and non-concentrated N-P-K ratio that minimizes the risk of fertilizer burn.
While you can apply this fertilizer directly to the soil, money trees tend to respond best to a diluted mixture. You can add this liquid to your regular watering routine throughout the growing season.
How To Use: Mix up to 4 pumps of fertilizer per quart of water. Water normally. Re-apply weekly during the growing season.
Pros
- Slowly distributes nutrients for 2 months
- Won’t attract pests
Cons
- High nitrogen content
If your money tree responds well to fertilizer spikes, I also recommend this formula from Jobe’s.
As with other fertilizer spikes, these eliminate any need for measuring or bulky storage. They’re also less likely to attract pests than other formulas. These traits make them a great option for apartment dwellers looking to kick their houseplant maintenance up a notch.
Because of the high nitrogen content, I recommend keeping an eye on your houseplants for signs of fertilizer burn when using these spikes. I also recommend considering breaking the spikes into smaller sections and distributing them evenly away from the root system.
How To Use: Drive fertilizer spikes into the soil evenly around your plants or break individual spikes into smaller pieces, leaving space between the spikes and the roots. Reference the fertilizer packaging for the recommended number of spikes for your pot size. Water the soil thoroughly after application.
How to Fertilize
The number one rule of fertilizing a money tree is to use half quantities of the manufacturer’s recommended dose. This means diluting a liquid feed by half or using half measures of granules of spikes.
In addition, never apply fertilizer on or directly next to the stem. Instead, evenly distribute the fertilizer across the surface of the soil.
If your money tree is planted outdoors, apply fertilizer near to the drip line — leaving a small margin around the plant’s base.
Fertilizing in Winter
Regardless of whether your money tree is grown indoors or out, you should hold off feeding it during the winter while it is dormant and not actively growing.
Fertilizing in winter is a waste of money and can contribute to over-feeding your plant. I recommend that you save your money and time until spring when your plant will need nutrients in order to start growing again.
Avoiding Fertilizer Burn
Fertilizer burn can happen almost instantly or build up over several weeks or months. The best way to avoid it is to use half a measure of fertilizer, feed infrequently, and water the soil to flush any fertilizer residue away.
When fertilizer is applied too often or used excessively, it causes a build-up of salt in the soil.
This excess of salt – if absorbed by your plant – can lead to brown crispy leaves, brown or yellow leaf tips, burns or scorching of leaves and stems, and evidence of a salt residue in the soil.
In addition, roots can become damaged and this leads to an inability to absorb water, oxygen, or nutrients via the soil.
When to Fertilize
Money trees should be fertilized during the growing season when your plant is actively absorbing and utilizing key nutrients in the soil to grow and produce new leaves.
Start fertilizing in spring and continue feeding through summer and into fall at regular intervals, in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
How Often to Fertilize
If you are using a slow-release fertilizer for an indoor-grown plant, you will only need to feed it once every 6-8 weeks. According to Pennsylvania State University, larger, outdoor-grown specimens are likely to require feeding once or twice per month during the growing season.
The nutrients found in liquid feeds are available for the roots of plants to absorb immediately. This means they are fast-acting but also means they do not remain in the soil for long. These types of fertilizers need to be re-applied much more frequently if you want your plants to have access to nutrients on a regular basis.
How often you feed your money tree ultimately comes down to your chosen fertilizer formula. Just remember: the stronger and longer-lasting the fertilizer, the less frequently it should be applied.
Verdict: Fertilizing Money Tree Plants
Few houseplant enthusiasts own just one plant. So, in my opinion, it’s important for any high-quality money tree fertilizer to also be appropriate for other common houseplants.
So which will you choose for your Money tree? Select Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer 2-3-1 if you want a super easy-to-use, fast-acting, and minimal risk of overfeeding. It’s versatile enough to use both for indoor and outdoor plants and is available in 3 different sizes depending on your fertilizing needs.
Best Organic Fertilizer
Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer 2-3-1
Organic, liquid concentrate for indoor and outdoor use. Enhances growth and foliage appearance quickly and is great for improving poor soil.
Alternatively, choose Bonide Liquid Plant Food 10-10-10 which offers an even balance of nutrients and gets to work as soon as roots begin to absorb it once watered into the soil. Also suitable for use on a range of other common houseplants too.
Best Liquid Fertilizer
Bonide Liquid Plant Food 10-10-10
Evenly balanced NPK that is perfect for money trees throughout the growing season. Expect fast results from this liquid feed.
