Water propagation is an economical and popular way to reproduce houseplants. This strategy can also be highly effective, allowing plant owners to replicate, or save, succulents, vines, cooking herbs, and other beloved greenery. With this in mind, it’s common for Pachira Aquatica enthusiasts to wonder if they can use water propagation to reproduce their Money Trees.
Water propagation for Money Trees is possible, but a water-based environment is not ideal for the Money Tree’s long-term health. This is due to a lack of oxygen, nutrients, and stability necessary for growth. Instead, it is preferable to transfer Money Trees from water to soil or propagate in soil from the beginning.
There is a lot to discuss when it comes to Money Trees in water. In this article, we will examine water propagation for Money Trees in more detail, why growing Money Trees in water is potentially harmful and how you can more effectively reproduce a healthy, vibrant Pachira Aquatica.
Can Money Trees Be Propagated In Water?
While permanently living in water is not ideal for the long-term viability of a Money Tree, it is possible to propagate these trees by first rooting them in water. The term “rooting” refers to the propagation process in which the new Money Plant begins to develop its root system.
Plant roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil. If they are not adequately developed, they will struggle to provide the plant with the nutrition and stability it needs. Therefore, rooting is central to helping your plant succeed and grow to its full potential.
This process requires collecting a cutting of your healthy plant and applying just a bit of rooting hormone before placing the stem in clean water. The bottom third of your cutting (which should be about six inches in total length) should be resting in the water.
While the appearance of a mason jar, vase, or indoor sconce may be attractive, a simple glass or plastic bottle works well for water rooting. This is because the bottle allows the upper leaves of the plant to rest on the rim, protecting the length of the plant from slipping into the water.
Once you have placed your cutting in the water, place the bottle in a warm, bright location with plenty of indirect sunlight. From there, nature will take over, and you will soon see roots begin to form.
Unfortunately, this can take a long time. It may be several months before you see a sizeable root system on your Pachira Aquatica. This is the beauty of rooting in water: that you can watch the development of these roots, and determine if they look substantial enough to transplant to soil.
The Downside of Water Propagation for Money Trees
While it is fun to see your plant growing in water, Money Trees whose roots are propagated in water are often less resilient than those grown in soil.
In water, the roots you see will have developed without the nutrient base of a soil-propagated plant. Furthermore, they will not have developed the hardiness of roots that have worked to anchor themselves into the earth. Not to mention that water roots and soil roots are different, and even plants with long water roots will still have to grow new soil roots when planted in the substrate.
With all of that in mind, you should know that the roots of these water grown plants will be more fragile and subject to damage in transplantation than roots that are grown in soil. If you love the thought of watching the propagation process in water, go ahead. Just note that soil propagation is a more sure means of reproduction.
What Water is Best for Propagating Money Trees?
If you’ve decided to move forward with propagating your Money Tree in water, it is best to use fresh, clean water. Tap water can be used for this purpose. However, since some locations may have additional chemicals added to their drinking water, filtered water may be the safest choice for fragile saplings.
It’s important to remember that you cannot allow your Money Tree’s water to become stagnant. Algae, dust, and bacteria can permeate the water and sicken your plant.
For this reason, it’s advised that you change your Money Tree’s water every two to three days. Each time you change the water, gently rinse your plant’s roots to remove any slimy build-up that may develop. But be careful since these roots may be very fragile.
Can Money Trees Live in Water Long Term?
When asked if Money Trees can live in water long-term, an honest answer could be, “yes, but they probably shouldn’t.” This may seem counterintuitive. After all, Money Trees grow naturally in tropical areas, and even the name, Pachira Aquatica, references water.
While it is true that Money Trees thrive in humid environments and benefit from misting and consistent watering, they are not aquatic, like lotus or water lettuce plants.
In nature, Pachira Aquatica is a tree that can reach heights of up to sixty feet. It is biologically inclined to grow in earth, especially well-draining soil that is rich in organic nutrients.
Though indoor Money Trees are often of a different species than their outdoor cousins, with lower tolerance to direct light and a decreased maximum height, they are still trees that benefit from oxygen, natural fertilizers, and root stability.
Unfortunately, since rooting a Money Tree in water can result in fragile roots that are not sturdy enough to adjust to soil nutrients, or to anchor the plant, water propagated Pachira Aquatica do not adjust well to life outside of water once they are transplanted.
Typically, when these plants are suddenly introduced to potting mix, it shocks the young plant’s system, which may result in dropping leaves, wilting, or death. Instead, I recommend propagating a Money tree in soil from the beginning whenever possible.
Why Money Trees Should Be Planted in Soil
Even though we all love the look of a hydroponic plant, Money Trees are not your best option for propagating and living in water.
It’s important to remember that growing in soil is the natural state of the Money Tree, which is part of the forest canopy in Central and South America. And while it is possible to grow a plant outside of its normal growing environment, you will always achieve the best results when the conditions of an indoor plant can mirror its natural habit.
For a Money Tree, this natural environment involves well-draining soil that is never muddy, as well as bright light, and temperatures between 65- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. When these conditions are met, Money Trees can live for decades and, once the plant has reached maturity, they can be remarkably resilient.
A healthy Money Tree should have glossy, vivid green leaves, thick trunks, and multiple branches. Indoors, they can reach heights of three to six feet. Such growth is made possible by a root system embedded in soil, which supports the weight of the plant as it develops new branches.
Money Trees that are grown in water rarely achieve significant height, or develop multiple branches, because there is no support to counterbalance that growth. Instead, they may appear spindly, like saplings, for the duration of their lives.
This lack of fullness is also a result of inadequate nutrients and oxygen required for growth. While you can fertilize water grown plants, over-fertilization is always a danger. Instead, the best nutrients are the most natural, such a peat moss based potting mix blend, supported with small amounts of plant food to support growth.
How To Take Cuttings for Water Propagating
Whether you propagate your plant in water or soil, plant reproduction will begin with the selection of the best cutting possible from your plant. Before taking a cutting, examine your Money Tree for green, healthy sections.
Ideally, stems will be firm, not dry, and the leaves healthy. While you can use propagation to salvage a dying Money Tree by regrowing the plant from healthy stems, you must be careful not to include any mushy, dehydrated, or diseased sections in your cutting.
Look for a section of stem that is roughly six inches long, and that has 2-3 leaf nodes toward the base of the six-inch stem segment. Leaf nodes often look like bumps along the stem of the plant and are the spots where leaves are growing.
If leaves are currently growing at the leaf nodes, they will need to be removed before rooting, since those will be the location of the plant’s new root system.
Once you’ve picked your healthy plant section, it is now time to cut. Your knife or scissors must be sharp and sterilized to not break the stem, or introduce bacteria into the cut.
Make your cut roughly one centimeter below the plant nodes at the base of your section, and angle your cut to about 45 degrees. You may also want to consider taking a second cutting to improve the chances of successful propagation.
Just don’t get too carried away with your cutting – unless your original plant is dying, it will need several healthy branches and leaves to help absorb its required sunlight.
Caring for Money Tree Cuttings
Once you have your healthy cuttings, wrap the cuttings’ bases in a damp paper towel and place the towel-covered portion in a plastic bag. This will keep your cutting hydrated while you get ready for the next steps.
Do not leave your cutting wrapped for an extended period of time. While it receives moisture and humidity from the towel and bag, it does not absorb the nutrients required for survival. The sooner you can plant your cuttings, the better, as this will help your plant maintain the continuity of light and fertilization it needs to begin taking root.
Other Methods for Propagating Money Trees
In addition to propagating your Money Tree cutting in water and in soil, a Money Tree can also be propagated by seed. For more detailed information, you can visit our article on propagation here. Below is a brief discussion of the propagation steps you will undertake if planting in soil and growing from seed.
Propagating from Seed
While growing in their natural habitat, Money Trees spread through seed pods that can be up to 12 inches long. In the forest, these pods dry out naturally and open to reveal seeds. These seeds are scattered and buried along the forest floor by animals and the elements, allowing new trees to take root.
Since it is rare for Money Trees to flower indoors, most Pachira Aquatica owners cannot propagate their own plants from seed. However, for those who wish to use this approach to grow a Money Tree, seeds are available online and from some specialized greenhouses and plant retailers.
Whether you obtained your seeds from a vendor, or successfully enabled your own tree to bloom, there are a few simple steps to follow to grow your own Pachira Aquatica from seed.
First, gather one planter for each seed you wish to grow. Planters should be approximately six inches in diameter and should contain drainage holes.
Fill the pots with a well-draining, sandy mix, such as a cactus mix, or a peat moss based potting soil. If you are uncertain of what to use, you can read this article on the best soil for Money Trees. Add water to the potting mixture and set aside the pots to drain.
Next, make sure that your Money Tree seeds do not have any visible damage or cracks – seeds with such flaws are not likely to grow.
Plant one seed per pot, roughly ¼ inch deep. Make sure that the “eye” – the light-colored spot on the seed – is facing sideways. That is the section from which the seedling will emerge, and this positioning will help it reach the surface.
Lightly water the seed and make sure it does not become exposed in the process. Since seedlings will need more warmth to begin growing, place pots with seeds in bright, sunny windows. Ideally, the temperature should reach 80 degrees, and the space should be high in humidity. You can use a grow light or seeding heat mat for added warmth if needed.
Water the seeds whenever the top inch of soil is dry, and do not pour water directly on emerging seedlings. As soon as seedlings sprout, move the pots out of direct sunlight, but keep them in brightly lit spaces.
After one growing season, the seedling should be hardy enough to transplant into a more permanent container.
Propagating by Rooting in Soil
Given the expense and rarity of Money Tree seeds, propagating a Money Tree from a cutting is the easiest option for most plan lovers.
To do so, you will want to make certain that you have some well-draining soil available and a container of rooting hormone, which helps your cutting develop roots as quickly as possible.
Fill a six-inch planter with your moistened potting mix and set it aside. Next, gently remove any leaves from the lower leaf nodes of your cutting and dip the bottom in the rooting hormone.
Create a hole in the center of the soil and insert your cutting without rubbing off the rooting hormone. Pat down the soil around the cutting to keep it in place, add a bit more water, and your work is done! Place the pot in a humid, brightly lit room, and wait for the roots to grow!
The Best Soil & Containers for Money Trees
There are a few important considerations when selecting the planter and soil for your Money Tree. First, Money Trees will not thrive in standing water. Any planter that you select must have drainage holes, or drainage holes must be added before your Money Tree is planted.
Additionally, if water leaves the drainage holes and gathers in the tray below, it must be removed immediately, so that the plant’s roots are never saturated. Oxygen is necessary for the healthy growth of your plant, and standing water can lead to root rot, which can be fatal to your Money Tree.
Soil selection is important since some potting mixes are designed to hold water. Ideally, you should select a potting mix with adequate drainage, which will often have a slightly sandy texture. Cactus and succulent blends can work well, as well as peat moss blends. Personally, I like to use this one.
If your goal is to grow your Money Tree into the largest plant it can be (often between three and six feet tall), repotting each year to a planter that is two inches larger in diameter will encourage your tree to keep growing.
It’s also important to remember that larger planters retain more water, so it is essential to plant Money Trees in appropriate sized containers to avoid root rot.
Following these steps, and providing your Money Tree with the closest possible replication of its natural environment, will help keep your plant naturally healthy and strong for years to come.