The care of a money tree (botanical Crassula), also known as a penny tree, is not particularly complex. The plant belongs to the succulents and should therefore not be kept too wet. A few tips will help you properly care for your money tree.

The money tree does not require much care

What temperatures does the money tree prefer?

In summer 20 to 27 degrees.
In winter keep cool at around 11 degrees, never colder than 5 degrees.

In summer you are welcome to take care of the money tree outside and place it in direct sunlight.

How is the money tree watered correctly?

Don't water money trees too much. The root ball should only be slightly damp.

Water only when 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 give some cactus fertilizer with the irrigation water. Granules or fertilizer sticks (€4.48) are also suitable. Do not fertilize after repotting and in winter.

Does a penny tree need pruning?

You don't have to cut a penny tree. However, it can make sense to trim it back into shape and encourage better branching.

Prune in early spring or after flowering. Use a knife to cut, not secateurs.

When will it be repotted?

The money tree only needs a larger pot every three to four years. Nevertheless, you should examine the penny tree for root damage every spring and repot it in fresh substrate.

Make sure that the new pot is clean and sufficiently stable. Due to the fleshy, water-storing leaves, the shoots weigh quite a bit, so that the planter quickly tips over.

Is the money tree suitable for maintenance 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 break the branches. Gently bend them into shape and attach them to small support pillars.

What diseases can occur?

  • fungal diseases
  • root rot
  • shoot rot
  • mildew

The money tree is actually quite robust. Diseases usually occur when the care is not right. In most cases, too much moisture is responsible for penny tree health problems.

Fungal diseases must be treated immediately. Nevertheless, the money tree can often not be saved once a fungus has spread.

If there is root rot, 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?

  • Mealybug
  • spider mites
  • aphids

Pests appear mainly 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 off and sprayed with an insecticide.

Aphids primarily attack the money tree when it is outside over the summer. Control aphids before bringing the money tree back indoors. Otherwise, the pests will spread to all plants. Aphids often cause fungal diseases through their excrement.

Why does the penny tree lose its leaves?

If the money tree loses a lot of leaves, you should examine it closely. Possible causes are too much moisture, a location that is too dark, pests or too high temperatures 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 with some species when they get a lot of direct sun.

Why are the leaves softening?

Healthy leaves of the money tree are rich in color and have a firm, thick fleshy feel. If the leaves and later the shoots become soft, you may have fertilized too much.

Sometimes too high humidity or a too wet root ball is responsible for the leaves becoming soft.

How is the money tree properly overwintered?

The penny tree comes from South Africa and does not tolerate freezing temperatures. However, it must be kept cooler in winter. The following points are important for wintering:

  • bright location, if necessary install plant lamps
  • Temperatures around 11 degrees, not cooler than 5 degrees
  • water less
  • do not fertilize

The different high temperatures will cause the money tree to develop flowers. However, the plant must be a bit older for this.

tips

The money tree does not contain any toxins. It can therefore also be grown in households with children or pets such as cats without hesitation.

Category:

Vegetable garden