Money trees are popular houseplants that are easy to take care of. They can grow quite tall, up to 8 feet inside. These tropical beauty can live for many years if they get the right care. But eventually, your money tree will be too big for its pot and will need to be moved to a bigger one. It is important to know when and how to move a money tree so that it stays healthy and strong. This whole article tells you everything you need to know to move money trees to a new pot.
Why Repotting is Necessary
Repotting serves several important purposes:
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Provides More Room for Root Growth – As money trees grow, their root systems expand. Eventually the roots completely fill up the pot, becoming “rootbound.” Repotting gives them more space.
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Refreshes the Soil – Old soil becomes compacted and depleted of nutrients. Fresh potting mix revitalizes the plant.
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Encourages New Growth – A larger pot and renewed soil kickstarts new leaf and stem production
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Size Control—You can limit its growth by repotting it in a pot of the same size or let it get bigger by putting it in a bigger pot.
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Recovery from Issues – Repotting helps resolve pest infestations, root rot and other problems
Signs It’s Time to Repot
Watch for these signs your money tree needs more space
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See roots coming out of drainage holes? That’s the best sign that roots have no more room to grow.
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Slow growth – If your plant has stopped actively producing new leaves and stems, it may be rootbound.
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Drooping leaves – Lack of water and nutrient uptake can cause leaves to wilt.
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Soil drying out too fast – A rootbound plant drinks water faster than the soil can hold it.
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Getting too big for pot – Repot once every 2-3 years as plant grows larger. Even if no issues, provide more space.
When to Repot Money Trees
It is best to repot money trees in the spring, before they start to grow new leaves. This gives the roots time to grow before summer, when plants grow quickly. Repotting can also be done in early summer.
Avoid repotting in fall or winter when plants are dormant. If needed, you can repot during these periods but take extra care not to damage roots.
How Often to Repot Money Trees
On average, transplant money trees into larger containers every 2-3 years. Factors like plant age, pruning practices, and pot size affect repotting frequency. While they can tolerate being rootbound, annual repotting encourages healthier growth.
If you notice signs like wilting or roots escaping, repot immediately regardless of timing. Monitor regularly for indications to repot early.
Choosing the Right Pot for Money Trees
Pick a new container 2 inches wider in diameter than the current pot. Consider these aspects:
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Drainage – Be sure pot has holes to prevent wet soil.
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Materials – Plastic, ceramic and terra cotta all work well. Avoid small terra cotta pots that dry out too fast.
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Size – Measure diameter to get a pot slightly bigger than previous one. Don’t size up too much at once.
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Durability – Consider pets, kids and location. Plastic pots won’t shatter if knocked over.
Soil for Repotting Money Trees
Money trees need fast-draining soil to prevent root rot. A potting mix blended with perlite, sand or orchid bark provides excellent aeration and moisture control. You can make your own custom blend.
Avoid regular multipurpose potting soil alone as it retains too much water. Check that any commercial citrus or palm soil mix drains well.
When reusing old soil, refresh with 30% new potting mix to replenish nutrients. Discard old soil if pests were a problem.
Step-by-Step Repotting Procedure
Follow this process for safe transplanting:
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Water plant thoroughly 1-2 days before repotting to moisten soil.
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Remove plant from pot, loosening soil if roots are tangled.
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Gently loosen and untangle the root ball. Trim any diseased roots.
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Put a layer of new soil in bottom of clean, sanitized pot.
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Place root ball in pot so top sits 1 inch below rim.
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Fill around sides with soil, firming gently. Leave 1 inch space at top.
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Water deeply until it drains from the bottom. Allow to dry out a bit before next watering.
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Resume normal care in original lighting conditions.
Caring for Money Trees After Repotting
To help your money tree recover quickly after repotting:
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Keep in same location with consistent light, humidity and temperature.
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Stick to regular watering schedule, allowing soil to dry out a bit between.
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Watch for signs of transplant shock like leaf drop or wilt. It’s normal but should resolve.
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Give plant time to re-establish before fertilizing or propagating.
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Consider a dilute seaweed fertilizer to reduce stress after repotting.
With the right timing, pot size, soil and technique, repotting money trees doesn’t have to be hard. Pay attention for signals your plant needs more space and take action to keep your money tree thriving for years to come!
How often should I water my money tree?
Money trees store a lot of water in their trunks, so dont need to be watered regularly. If the soil feels completely dry, it is time to water. Water the soil until it is thoroughly saturated and allow the excess water to drain away. Do not let the soil become soggy or waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot.
Do I need to prune my money tree?
Pruning is not necessary for money tree care, but you can trim off any dead or damaged leaves as needed.
Money tree care and repotting
FAQ
How do you know when to repot a money tree?
- Root-bound: Roots are visible through drainage holes, circling inside the pot, or the plant is struggling to grow.
- Stunted growth: The plant isn’t growing as expected despite proper care.
- Soil dries out quickly: The soil seems to dry out almost immediately after watering.
- Wilting leaves: This can be a sign of root-bound stress.
- Signs of stress: General unhappiness or lack of vigor.
- Water drainage issues: Water runs through the soil too quickly, not soaking into the soil.
Do money trees like bigger pots?
Money trees are easy to grow when they have the right conditions to thrive, meaning a bigger pot, the right potting soil and lots of nutrients. May 16, 2024.
What does an overwatered money tree look like?
What does an overwatered Money Tree look like? Typically, those vibrant leaf colors you know and love will suddenly look brown and sad. This is often your Money Tree trying to send you a message that it’s been given too much water.
How do I know if my money tree is root bound?
Signs that Your Money Tree Needs Repotting Roots making a break for it? Visible roots peeking out of the pot’s drainage holes or circling the surface soil are your Money Tree’s way of saying, “I need more space!” It’s a classic sign of a root bound plant.
When should you repot Money Trees?
Like other houseplants, money trees do best when they are repotted in the spring to early summer. However, if they show signs of stress, they can be repotted at other times of the year. If you’re not sure if this beginner-friendly tropical plant needs repotting or not, here are a few signs to watch for. Stunted plant growth.
Do Money trees need repotting?
People should move money trees to bigger pots when the top of the tree gets heavy, root tips stick out of the soil, or there are signs of root problems like root rot. Remove the money tree from the current pot, brush away some soil to examine the roots, and trim if needed.
How often should a money tree be re planted?
In general, Money Trees should be repotted every two years. Many plants prefer replanting every year, but Money Trees do best when allowed to grow in their planter for a longer time. Part of this is because repotting is a stressful event for plants. They can suffer from transplant shock, which happens when a plant is moved from one pot to another.
Can You repot a money tree with root rot?
If you need to repot a money tree that has root rot, you can use the same pot as before as long as it has drainage holes. Just make sure to clean the container with a 10% bleach solution to get rid of any root rot pathogens that are still there. It can be tempting to repot houseplants into massive pots to accommodate their growing roots.
How do you repot a money tree?
Depending on the size of your money tree, choose a planter that is one to three inches larger than your current planter. If your tree is larger, lean towards the upper end of possible planters. Water your money tree the night before repotting. The evening before you plan on repotting your money tree, water it generously.
How do you care for a money tree after repotting?
Shears or snips to trim away any damaged parts of the money tree. Tarp or newspaper to prevent making a mess on the working surface. A watering can to give your money tree a good watering right after repotting. This is completely optional, though. Fertilizer (optional) to help the money tree recover faster after repotting.