Money plants, also known as jade plants, are a popular and easy to care for houseplant. With their round, coin-shaped leaves, it’s easy to see how they got their common name. Money plants are known for being symbols of good luck and prosperity. Let’s take a closer look at these attractive indoor plants.
A Brief Background
The money plant goes by the botanical name Crassula ovata. It grows wild in South Africa and Mozambique, where it comes from. Money plants are in the same family as jade plants and stonecrops, which are called Crassulaceae.
In their natural environment, these plants grow as shrubs, but they are often trimmed into small plants for pots. Money plants can stay alive in dry places because their thick, waxy green leaves keep water in.
Why Are Money Plants Considered Lucky?
There are a few reasons why money plants are thought to bring good fortune. One is simply their round coin-shaped foliage, which is reminiscent of money or coins. Having one of these plants in your home is said to attract wealth and prosperity.
Additionally, money plants are very hardy plants that are easy to care for. They can survive and even thrive with minimal care propagating easily. Their hardy nature gives them an association with vitality and longevity.
Money plants are thought to bring good energy into a space according to feng shui and vastu shastra. Their bright green color and lots of growth are signs of fresh starts and growing money.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Money plants are very adaptable and easy to care for, which is one reason why they make great houseplants. Here are their basic needs:
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Light Bright indirect light is ideal, but money plants can tolerate lower light conditions. Avoid direct hot sun which can scorch their leaves.
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Water Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings Take care not to overwater as it may cause root rot,
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Temperature: Average room temperatures between 65-80°F are fine. Avoid cold drafts.
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Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix and avoid letting plants sit in water.
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Fertilizer: Apply a diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing period.
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Humidity: Average humidity is fine, but mist leaves occasionally if air is very dry.
Money plants are not fussy and will adapt to the conditions inside most homes. Providing the basics like bright light and proper watering is all they require to thrive indoors.
How to Care for Money Plants
Caring for a money plant is simple. Here are some tips:
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Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Prune back any leggy growth to keep plants full and compact.
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Wipe dusty leaves periodically with a damp cloth to keep them looking their best.
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Repot whenever plants become rootbound, using fresh potting mix.
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Rotate pots periodically to ensure even sunlight exposure.
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Mist leaves every few days if air is overly dry.
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Remove any dried or dead leaves and spent flowers as needed.
With proper care, money plants can live for many years. It’s not unusual for them to be passed down to future generations if cared for properly.
Propagating Money Plants
One of the great things about money plants is how easily they can be propagated. There are a few different methods:
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Stem cuttings – Clip off a healthy stem and place in water or potting mix. Roots will sprout at the nodes.
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Leaf cuttings – Remove a leaf and place it upside down in potting mix. Baby plants will eventually emerge.
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Offsets – Gently remove plantlets growing off the main stem and pot separately. Keep soil slightly moist.
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Seeds – Plant seeds saved from spent flowers in starter mix. Keep warm and moist.
Taking stem and leaf cuttings are the easiest methods. Within a few weeks, you’ll have new baby money plants rooting and ready to pot up!
Perfect Placement in the Home
Given their reputation for inviting good fortune, money plants are perfect additions to certain areas of the home:
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Entryway – Greet guests with this lucky plant.
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Living room – Place near seating areas to promote positive energy.
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Dining room – Encourage prosperity in spaces where people gather to eat.
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Home office – Keep one on your desk to boost career success.
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Bedroom – Add vitality and new beginnings to your sleeping space.
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Bathroom – The high humidity is ideal for these succulent plants.
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Kitchen – Add some life to this busy room.
Place your money plant somewhere you’ll see it often. Having a living lucky charm in sight can be uplifting.
Enjoy the Benefits of Money Plants
With their rounded coin-shaped leaves and lush growth, it’s easy to see why money plants are considered lucky symbols that invite prosperity. But besides being symbols of good fortune, they also purify indoor air and add a vibrant pop of green.
Money plants are perfect for beginner gardeners, since they handle neglect well and are easily propagated. Give one of these easy-care plants a try if you’d like an attractive, low maintenance houseplant that just might bring good luck and fortune your way!
Jade Plant
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Jade plants (Crassula ovata), sometimes called money trees, are popular house plants because they are generally easy to care for. For them to do well, they do need a lot of light, so put your jade plant somewhere sunny.
Like the pilea, some types of jade plants have leaves that also look a bit like coins. The slow and steady growth of the jade plant can represent the steady accumulation of wealth. In feng shui, their juicy leaves look like the precious jade stone, which is thought to be lucky and help people live long lives. A jade plant is toxic to animals.
Why Are Plants Used in Feng Shui?
Feng shui practitioners love houseplants because they help make adjustments (also called fixes, remedies, or cures) to restore proper balance in the home. For example, having plants in our homes helps us connect with nature because we spend so much time inside and don’t see much of it.
Plants also represent the wood element, which symbolizes growth, flexibility, and kindness. Taking care of another living thing, including a plant, helps you cultivate compassion, and you can watch them grow and thrive. Plants are also a source of healthy, vibrant life qi and can uplift the energy in your home.
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FAQ
Why is it called a money plant?
“Money plant” is a common name given to various plants, primarily due to their perceived ability to attract wealth and good fortune, especially in Feng Shui and other cultural beliefs.
Is the money plant good or bad?
A money plant, which is also called a Pothos or Epipremnum aureum, is thought to be good for homes for a number of reasons. Money plants are known to clean the air by getting rid of toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
What is the difference between a money tree and a money plant?
The money tree is called Pachira Aquatica, and the money plants are called Pilea Peperomioides, Crassula ovata, Epipremnum Aureum, or something else. So even if it seems that the two plants are very similar to one another, they do have differences. The money plant is not exactly in the form of a tree, and is significantly smaller.
Where should a money plant be placed?
Aside from the best places to ensure the plant is healthy, the Money Tree is traditionally placed in the Southeast area of your home, as this is considered the point of wealth and abundance. This tip comes from Feng Shui principles that suggest this corner brings good luck and prosperity into your home.