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Here's the plant that sits on my desk:

enter image description here

It is, I believe, a money tree. I've had it for about four months and seen some pretty substantial growth - 4-6 inches of overall height and many many new shoots (including that random one that points down for no reason).

I'm sort of dumb at plants, but I'm determined to make this one thrive. How will I know when it's outgrown its little pot? What size pot should I move it into? What sort of soil should I move it into? Can I get rid of that moss around the base, or is it functional somehow?

hairboat
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2 Answers2

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Different plants act differently when they outgrow their pots. Some plants crack the pots, some pull in the soil, some just stop growing. This plant is healthy, but repotting would be a good idea.

Money trees naturally have plenty of soil to grow in, so putting it in a pot too large won't damage it. They should be repotted once a year. If the roots haven't reached the edges of the pot by the repotting time, shake away the loose soil, clean the pot, and repot it in its original pot with fresh potting soil. Fertilize once every other week with all purpose plant food.

If the roots are growing along the edges of the pot, repot it into a pot one size larger with the same care. Use all purpose potting soil, not potting mix. The soil mimics natural conditions better than potting mix, so it relieves stress. You can get rid of the moss if you want to. Moss keeps soil from splashing while being watered and spreads the moisture through the pot. It also helps keep the water in the soil.

In nature, you always find plant matter on top of the soil, excepting very poor soils. In good soil in nature, there is always either a layer of dead plant matter on the ground, or a carpet of growing plants. In a pot, the dead matter layer is more convenient, as it requires no care. The moss is the layer of organic matter in your pot. Getting rid of the moss shouldn't hurt the plant, as you will be replacing the soil every year. Taking it out or leaving it is your choice.

hairboat
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J. Musser
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It sounds like you have a healthy money tree!

You will know it has outgrown its current pot if you notice roots growing out of the bottom drainage holes, if the plant is top-heavy and falling over, or if the soil dries out very quickly after watering.

When you repot the money tree, it's recommended to move it into a pot one size larger than its current pot. So if it's in a 4-inch pot, move it into a 6-inch pot. Use a well-draining soil mix such as a cactus/succulent mix or a regular potting mix with added perlite or sand to improve drainage.

It's okay to remove the moss around the base, as it doesn't serve any functional purpose and may even trap moisture against the trunk, which can lead to rot. Good luck with your money tree!

Niall C.
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