Money tree, scientifically known as Pachira aquatic, is a popular houseplant that is native to tropical regions of Central and South America. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home where it grows. However, like all plants, money trees require proper care and maintenance to thrive indoors. One important aspect of caring for your money tree is pruning it regularly.
Pruning a Money Tree: Why It Is Important
Pruning your Money Tree helps promote healthy growth by removing dead or damaged leaves, stems or branches. Pruning also encourages new growth in areas where you want the plant to be fuller or more compact.
When you prune a Money Tree correctly:
– You help prevent diseases from spreading.
– You maintain its shape and size.
– You encourage new foliage production.
– You can propagate new plants from cuttings.
Before Pruning Your Money Tree
Ensure that you have the right tools so that you don’t damage the plant during pruning. When preparing for pruning session gather following equipment:
1. A pair of sharp gardening shears
2. Rubbing alcohol
3. Gloves
Step-by-step guide on how To Prune Your Money Tree
1) Sanitize your tools with rubbing alcohol before starting.
2) Assess the structure of your money tree; identify any damaged/ dead/diseased stems or branches, yellowing leaves or any other issues affecting its health.
3) Remove Dead Parts First – Cut off all dry/brown/dead/damaged stem tips first using sterilized shears right above a node (the point where one leaf meets another).
4) Thin Out Excess Growth – If there are too many crowded branches blocking sunlight into key parts – remove some excess ones so others get adequate access light needed for photosynthesis process.
5) Cut Back Overgrown Branches – Trim back larger overgrown lateral branches by cutting them down in half their length this will help stimulate dormant buds.
6) Trim the Leaves – To maintain its leaf size – trim your money tree’s leaves to keep its appearance neat and tidy. You can use scissors to cut off long stems or nodes near where the leaf meets the stem.
7) Give Your Money Tree Some Time To Heal – After pruning, spray some anti-fungal solution on open wounds and let it dry before watering again.
Tips for Pruning Your Money Tree:
1. Always make clean cuts with sharp shears, so as not to damage healthy parts of the plant.
2. Only prune during active growth in spring/summer when your plant is growing vigorously.
3. Don’t remove more than 20% of a money tree’s foliage at any given time; it may cause stress leading to stunted growth or death.
4. Avoid pruning during dormancy period (fall/winter), because this could weaken your indoor plants’ ability to recover.
Conclusion
Pruning is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and attractive-looking money tree indoors. Regularly trimming dead/damaged branches stimulates new growth that fosters healthier foliage over time, thus promoting optimal health for this beautiful houseplant species! Remember always sanitize your tools first, assess which parts need cutting out first then proceed carefully while keeping in mind tips shared above!
