The Money Tree Plant comes from China, with several beliefs and legends attached to it. Today, money plants are found in homes and offices and can survive with minimal care.
Money plants are idolized by people practicing Feng Shui, as they sprout five leaves on a single stem. In Feng Shui, five is an important digital because people believe the universe is made of five elements, i.e., wood, water, metal, earth, and fire.
People also believe that money plants bring health, fortune, and prosperity. Some people adorn their money tree plants with red ribbons and symbols to make them look beautiful.
As far as their growth is concerned, money trees can grow in low light, need minimal watering and care, and have no issue moving to a new environment.
What Is the Best Soil for Money Tree Plants?
Table of Contents
Money tree plants prefer loamy and well-draining soil. The soil should be anything between and alkaline, and the pH level should be between six and 7.5.
They grow perfectly in potting soils with a mixture of vermiculite and perlite with coarse and peat moss sand with organic compost or coco coir.
Why Does Soil Quality Matter
When growing a money plant, soil quality is extremely important. The right potting soil mix contains the nutrients your plant needs to grow and survive.
This includes moisture, nutrients, and pest/disease control. The right soil also creates an environment suitable for the root system, gas exchange, aeration, and other structures.
What Are the Primary Components in a Potting Soil Mix?
Whether it’s natural soil or a homemade/commercial potting mix, they all contain different ingredients, additives, and soil bases.
As you might know, soils can vary a lot more than expected. This holds true for both manufactured potting mixes and naturally occurring soils.
If we talk about natural soil, it can be broken down into three particles, i.e., silt, clay, and sand. Sand occupies the largest percentage, followed by clay and silt.
Irrespective of their percentages, these particles combine to form the texture of your potting soil. These textures are used by scientists to classify the type of soil.
What Are the Common Soil Bases?
Clay
Clay contains fine material particles. It also contains tiny organic content, which makes up for poor nutrient content. Moreover, clay can hold on to moisture. Sadly, it doesn’t drain quickly and becomes compacted easily.
Sand
Of all soil bases, sand has the biggest particles. These particles have an irregular shape, and they provide good drainage with excellent aeration.
Silt
Silt is made of rock and mineral particles that are medium in size.
Loam
Loam is the topsoil containing silt, sand, and clay.
Peat
Peat is also known as turf. It mostly comprises peat moss and other organic matter that is partially decomposed.
Chalk
Chalk is made of calcium carbonate. Most chalky soils are alkaline, gravel-like, and have drainage holes.
What Are the Common Potting Mix Additives?
There are different types of mixes, and each is made from different combinations of the same potting soil ingredients.
Compost/Organic Matter
Compost, also known as organic matter, is made of dead, decomposing things and living organisms like bacteria and fungi. Most of the nutrient content in soil comes from this organic matter.
Sphagnum Moss
Dried sphagnum moss is mostly used in sandy soils and plays a huge part in moisture retention.
Coco Coir
Coco Coir is a naturally shredded husk that comes from coconut. It is mostly used in dry substrates and is used for the purpose of moisture retention.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite contains various minerals, and they are used for providing nutrients to your potting soil while aerating and lightening the mixes.
Pine Bark Fines
Pine bark fines are also known as silvers of pine bark. These are good for moisture and provide nutrients to your money tree soil as they decompose.
Pumice
Pumice is a volcanic rock that loosens the soil and enhances aeration. It is mostly used for improving clay substrates.
Perlite
Perlite is a volcanic glass that lightens soil and keeps it loose, preventing the money tree soil from compacting.
Sand
Sand is mostly mixed with heavier soils like clay to improve drainage and aeration while preventing any kind of compaction.
Soil Activator
Soil activator is a synthetic product that enhances the availability and release of nutrients in the soil.
Pebbles and Rocks
The gravel in your soil mix helps the root system in several ways. It strengthens the root, prevents root rot, and allows the root to branch out in search of water, especially in arid climates.
Signs You’re Using the Wrong Mix for Your Money Tree Plant
Choosing the right soil mix for your money tree is important; using the wrong potting mix can negatively impact the growth of your money trees. It is important to understand the symptoms to troubleshoot any potting soil mistake you have made.
Sometimes, a money tree develops a soft, mushy, or discolored trunk. This is a sign your money tree is planted in the wrong soil mix.
Yellowing leaves is another symptom of a poor soil mix. It is also a sign of root rot, which happens when the soil holds too much moisture.
In some cases, the pH level isn’t up to par, which results in your money tree not producing healthy young leaves.
A money tree can tolerate soils that are slightly alkaline or acidic in nature but don’t grow too well in severely alkaline or acidic conditions. Your money tree will eventually need a neutral potting mix.
The Significance of Well-Draining Soil for Money Trees
Money trees are native to central and south America, where the conditions are damp and swampy. However, too much moisture isn’t suitable for money trees. Excessive moisture can lead to root diseases.
As a result, money plants thrive in containers and pots with drainage holes at the bottom. The drainage hole should be big enough to drain excess water.
Moreover, the money tree plant soil should have pockets in the middle, allowing water to flow without stagnating in the middle.
As far as the pH level of your money plant soil mix is concerned, it should remain between 6 and 7.5.
The Ultimate Home Recipe for Money Tree Soil Mix
The best thing to do is to get your hands in the dirt and create your potting mix that drains well and is loamy enough for your money tree soil.
Here are the two recipes you can use.
Equal parts perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, and coarse sand.
Equal parts compost, coco coir, vermiculite, or perlite.
When mixing them, you should add moisture to make the mixture stick and blend well while maintaining consistency.
However, make sure not to add so much water that it becomes soggy. Soggy potting soil can cause root rot in money tree plants.
Best Pre-Mixed Soils for Money Tree Plants
Birch Seed Soil Money Tree Soil Blend
This product contains the right amount of perlite, peat moss, lime, worm castings, and sand, creating the perfect environment for your money tree plant.
It is the perfect alternative to store-bought soil that comes with the plant itself. The soil used in the stores is low-quality and doesn’t contain the right amount of nutrients.
Sometimes, the soil used in stores is only good for the early stages and fails to support the plant in later stages.
Birch seed soil money tree soil blend prevents the roots rotting and allows your money tree plant to grow as freely as possible. It is available in two-quart-sized bags, which are good for potting and replanting small and medium-sized plants.
The package is resealable and preserves the potting mix for a long time.
Bloomscape Potting Soil
This potting soil by Bloomscape is the answer to all of your gardening needs. It has a balanced pH level that maintains plant health, promotes growth, and prevents root rot.
This soil mix contains a blend of perlite, peat moss, hydrafiber, which makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The mix helps your plant retain moisture while providing ample drainage to prevent soggy roots that could lead to root diseases.
It comes in an 8-quart bag that is good for 28-inch pots. It contains 57% peat moss, 10% perlite, and 33% hydrafiber.
Dirtco. House and Tropical Plant Potting Soil
The House and Tropical Plant potting soil by Dirtco. is 100% natural. Its ingredients are completely natural, hand blended, and contain no fertilizer or additive chemicals.
It is designed especially for the health and growth of houseplants. It works perfectly in indoor and outdoor conditions. Moreover, it contains organic humus, which offers excellent drainage and helps your plant maintain its nutrients.
Its ingredients are perlite, peat moss, lime, and worm castings. It comes in an eight-quart bag, which is equal to two gallons.
Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix
This potting mix by Miracle-Gro is designed especially for container plants. The package lasts for a period of six months, depending on your usage.
It prevents gnats and contains no bark or compost, which creates a hotbed for gnats and fungus to grow. It has coconut coir that releases water, allowing the soil to retain moisture without getting too soggy.
When using this potting mix by Miracle-Gro, use a pot with a drainage hole to remove excess water. Also, before placing the root ball into the pot, it should be loosened, or it will reject the nutrients it needs for growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Switch the Soil?
Money tree plants should be repotted every two to three years. However, you can use a water-soluble and balanced fertilizer that can be diluted to half-strength to keep the plant in the same soil for longer.
Is Cactus Soil Mix Suitable for Money Tree Plants?
Yes, you can use cactus soil for money tree plants. However, the soil should drain completely between waterings, as overly wet soil can cause root rot.
What Are the Primary Considerations for When Repotting a Money Tree Plant?
The soil should be as consistent as possible. When repotting a money tree plant, the soil should resemble the natural substrate of the money tree plant.
Final Word
When potting a money tree plant in a new container, use soil with sufficient drainage and the right mix of nutrients. It should also have a balanced pH level between 6 and 7.5.
Moreover, the soil shouldn’t be too soggy as it can affect the roots, causing the money tree to die prematurely.