How to Trim Money Trees

The five leaves of the pachira represent the five elements of Feng Shui.

Money trees are indoor trees also known as "pachira." These trees are ideal housewarming gifts. The leaves grow in fans of five. Each leaf of the money tree's fans has a special meaning in the practice of feng shui. Each fan symbolizes one of the art's five elements. If you own a money tree you will find it grows well when given regular doses of sunshine along with regular watering. To keep your tree looking miniature, you'll need to trim its leaves. Trimming back leaves will not harm the plant and new leaves will appear quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Garden clippers

Instructions

1. Examine your plant and select which big showy leaves you want to trim away. Include any yellow or brown leaves. Most yellow leaves are a result of improper light or watering too frequently. These trees rarely become infested with pests.

2. Grasp the leaf gently with your left hand. Lift up the leaf to expose the stem.

3. Use garden clippers to clip the stem away from the shoot or tree trunk. The stem should be clipped following the natural angle of the shoot. Clip the shoot flush against the trunk of the tree.

4. Cut away as many leaves as you like. According to Chinese tradition, when a pachira is brought into a home, it anchors money to the residence. The feng shui belief is that as your tree prospers so will your finances.

References

• Peach Tree Shop: Learn How to Care for a Money Tree
• The Bonsai Tree: Growing and Caring for Bonsai Trees
• GFlora: Pachira aquatica
• Berlin Kauf: Money Tree Feng Shui