You may have noticed in some households or offices a small plant used as a decoration. This indoor plant is a very common house plant called the money tree. Also known as Pachira Aquatica, the money tree plant is popular among Feng Shui practitioners and is a favored gift for weddings, birthday or business launchings. In Feng Shui, having a money tree plant is considered lucky, especially if you take care of it properly. People believe that this plant creates positive energy called chi or qi, which brings in good luck and good fortune to the owner.
Legend has it that a poor man once prayed for money but got this unusual plant instead. He took it home with him and started growing the plants and sell them. He gained great fortune from the plant thus, naming it as the money tree or good luck tree for some. In Feng Shui principles, the plant has to be placed in a specific spot inside the house or office to activate its energy. Although this is popular among Asians, this plant's native habitat is in South America, not Asia. The plant features a green trunk with glossy leaves that can grow up to 8 feet tall when placed indoor and up to 60 feet when grown in the wild.
Money Plant in Feng Shui
In Feng Shui, the placement of the plant matters as it can affect the flow of energy and their ability to bring good luck. According to Feng Shui experts, the areas of the house are divided into sections that are linked to the aspects of your life. Each area is connected with the Feng Shui element and using a money tree plant help improve it.
Best Place To Put The Money Tree Plant
Putting the money tree plant in the left corner of the house increases luck in the household or business if you are using it in an office.
You can place it in your living room, but use the small type of money tree plant. Avoid putting it on a corner and in a high place where it touches the ceiling. If you do so, it will create a pressuring ambiance and block the energy. Blocking the flow of positive energy means blocking luck from coming in.
To protect the house from evil spirits, place the money tree plant next to the front door.
Placing the money tree in the southeast area of your house or office will bring you prosperity. In Feng Shui, the southeast area is the money area.
The east area of your house or office is known as the health and family area. Placing the money tree plant there will bring wealth and good health to the owners.
Placing the money tree plant in the south area of your house or office will enhance your fame as this area is associated with fire. The wood element of the plant will feed the fire, enhancing the fame energy.
Worst Place to Put The Money Tree Plant
Do not place a money tree in the bathroom as this will flush away all the luck and money.
The southwest corner of the house or office is the love area. In Feng Shui, love and money do not mix so avoid placing any money tree in this area.
Common Money Tree Plant Problems
Overwatering - Money tree plants can survive with minimal watering as this plant likes humidity. However, overwatering can have a different effect. It can cause the root to rot, killing the plant. How often do you water the plant? It is recommended to check the soil first before watering it. Make sure the soil is dry but not completely dry, before watering it. Allow the excess water to drain from the holes at the bottom of the pot. Make sure the plant tray is also empty of water so that the root will not sit on it.
Light - Since the money tree plant is an indoor type of plant, only medium light is needed. Exposing the plant to direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn and die, while little to no light can cause the leaves to wilt. It is recommended that you place it near a brightly lit window to get indirect light but do not expose it all day as this can also cause problems.
Pests - Money tree plants get infested with pests too! Pests such as mealybugs, web spinners and, aphids suck out the sap, weakening the plant, causing the leaves to wilt, yellow and die. To control the pests, it is recommended to spray insecticidal soap to treat it. Also, trim the damaged leaves and keep it away from the healthy ones to avoid the spread of the disease. A cotton swab dipped in alcohol may also be used to dissolve the protective covering of the insects infesting the plant.
How To Care For A Money Tree Plant
Repotting - If the plant grows too big, outgrowing the pot, you can move it to a new container 2-3 times larger than the current pot with holes at the bottom. You can check out this sample of a stylish pot with holes here. Trim the plant and make sure fresh soil is used. Place it back to its location and resume normal care.
Fertilizing - Feeding the money tree plant is not that hard. No special requirements are needed, you can feed it once a month with any fertilizer. Any type or brand of liquid all-purpose houseplant fertilizer will do. During winter, you can skip fertilizing. It's not needed since there is not enough sunlight during this season.
Overall, taking care of a money tree plant is very easy. It's small, inexpensive and it is not as complicated as the other plants as it only needs minimal attention. It's a good choice as an indoor plant for decoration, especially for offices and living rooms. If you're practicing Feng Shui, knowing the origin of it, its connection to Feng Shui practice and knowing how to take care of it might just bring you wealth and luck.
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