A money tree in water works for rooting cuttings, but not as a permanent home for the plant. To root one, cut a 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) green, softwood stem just below a node, remove the lower leaves, and stand it in room-temperature water with one node submerged. Keep it warm, at about 65–75°F (18–24°C), in bright indirect light, and change the water weekly. Money tree cuttings root less reliably than pothos, so take several. Despite its swampy origins and the name Pachira aquatica, N.C. State Extension warns that potted money trees don’t tolerate standing water, which can cause root rot.
Key takeaway: Use young green stems, not woody trunk pieces. A rooted cutting grows into a single-stem plant; the braided look comes from several young trunks woven together.
| Factor | Recommendation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting | 4–6 inches (10–15 cm), softwood, cut below a node | N.C. State; Costa Farms |
| Temperature | 65–75°F (18–24°C); bring indoors before 45°F (7°C) | N.C. State |
| Light | Bright indirect; direct sun can scorch leaves | N.C. State |
| Rooting rate | About 44% rooted without hormone in one study | Zagazig University study (2017) |
| Pot up | Several firm roots about 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long | Costa Farms |
| Long term | Moist, well-drained mix; no standing water | N.C. State |
Why “Aquatica” Doesn’t Mean It Lives in Water
N.C. State Extension says the money tree is native from southern Mexico to Bolivia and northern Brazil, where it grows in freshwater swamps, estuaries, riverbanks and rainforests. The species name, aquatica, is Latin for “aquatic.” In the wild it can reach 60 feet (18 m), but as a houseplant it usually stays at 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m).
A swamp tree still has its crown and much of its root system in air, and riverbanks drain between floods. In a pot, N.C. State says the money tree prefers a moist, well-drained mix of peat moss, perlite, loam or sand, and warns that standing water isn’t tolerated and can cause root rot. So a money tree in water is a short-term propagation step. Keeping a mature plant’s roots in a vase or a saucer full of water is a common way to lose it.
How to Root a Money Tree in Water, Step by Step
- Pick a healthy, green stem from the upper part of the plant. N.C. State’s stem-cutting guide says to take cuttings from healthy, disease-free plants, preferably from the top.
- Cut 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) just below a node with clean, sharp pruners.
- Remove the lower leaves, keeping two or three leaves at the tip. Trim large leaves by half to cut water loss.
- Use a clean jar of room-temperature water. Keep at least one node under the surface and all leaves above it.
- Keep it warm. N.C. State lists 65–75°F (18–24°C) as the money tree’s preferred range.
- Give bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which N.C. State says can scorch leaves.
- Raise humidity with a loose clear bag over the cutting, as N.C. State recommends for stem cuttings.
- Change the water weekly and rinse the jar before refilling.
How Long Does a Money Tree in Water Take to Root?
Plan on several weeks to a couple of months, and expect some cuttings to fail. Money tree isn’t one of the easy rooters. In a 2017 Zagazig University study, only about 43.7% of Pachira aquatica cuttings rooted without a rooting hormone. Treating cuttings with IBA, a common rooting hormone, improved rooting, and the best medium was peat moss mixed 1:1 with sand. That study used rooting media, not water, but it’s a useful reminder to take three or four cuttings at once to get one or two plants.
Improving Your Odds With a Money Tree in Water
- Take cuttings in spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing.
- Use soft, green stems. N.C. State lists softwood cuttings, along with layering and seed, as the recommended methods.
- Try rooting hormone. In the Zagazig study, higher IBA rates improved rooting. Follow the product label.
- Root some in moist mix. A peat-sand or perlite mix under a clear cover may root better than water, and skips the transplant step.
- Keep the room warm, well above the 45°F (7°C) limit N.C. State gives for this tropical tree.
Moving a Money Tree in Water to Soil
Costa Farms, a major U.S. houseplant grower, suggests potting a money tree in water once the cutting has several firm roots about 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long. Use a small pot with drainage holes and a loose, well-draining potting mix. Keep the mix lightly moist at first while the water roots adjust, then let the top layer dry a little between waterings. Empty the saucer after each watering so roots never sit in water.
Can You Braid a Rooted Cutting?
Not by itself. Costa Farms notes that a cutting grows into one young money tree; the braided form comes from weaving several young, flexible trunks together before they harden. N.C. State says the trunks are flexible enough to braid. If you want a braided plant, root several cuttings, pot them together, and braid them loosely as they grow over the next year or two.
N.C. State also notes that money trees won’t flower indoors or when braided, so grow yours for its glossy, hand-shaped leaves.
Money Tree Care After Rooting
- Light: Bright, indirect light, or a mix of sun and shade outdoors.
- Humidity: N.C. State says it thrives in humid air; a pebble tray or humidifier helps in dry winter homes.
- Water: Water when the top of the mix starts to dry; never leave it sitting in water.
- Outdoors: Hardy only in USDA zones 10–12. Elsewhere, bring it inside before nights reach 45°F (7°C).
- Wind: Protect outdoor plants from strong winds, per N.C. State.
Troubleshooting Money Tree in Water
- Stem base turns black and mushy: rot. Recut above the damage into fresh water, or switch to a moist rooting mix.
- Leaves drop but stem stays green: normal stress; keep waiting while the stem is firm.
- Leaves turn brown and crispy: direct sun or dry air. Move it out of the sun and raise humidity.
- Yellow leaves on potted plants: often too much water. Check that the pot drains.
Related reading: hydroponic cuttings and cloning, humidity domes for cuttings and lucky bamboo care in water, a “lucky” plant that does live in water.
FAQs
Can a money tree in water grow permanently?
Cuttings can root in water, but mature plants need a well-drained potting mix.
How long does a money tree in water take to root?
Usually several weeks or more, and not every cutting will root.
Can I root a piece of money tree trunk?
It’s unlikely; use young, green softwood stems.
Will my cutting grow a braided trunk?
No. Braids are made by weaving several young trunks together.
Should I use rooting hormone?
It helps. IBA improved rooting in a 2017 study.
Why is my money tree dropping leaves?
Common causes are overwatering, cold drafts or a sudden move.
Sources
- N.C. State Extension Plant Toolbox — Pachira aquatica
- N.C. State Extension — Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings: Instructions for the Home Gardener
- Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research (2017) — Cutting Propagation of Pachira aquatica as Influenced by Medium Type and IBA Concentration
- Costa Farms — Money Tree Care: The Complete Growing Guide
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Pachira aquatica kz02 by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz (CC BY-SA 4.0); Pachira aquatica (fruit) edit1 by Hans Hillewaert, edited by Muhammad Mahdi Karim (CC BY-SA 3.0); Ficus cuttings with roots in a bottle, White background by Biusch (CC BY-SA 3.0); Dracaena sanderiana 132158060 by Beah Vega (CC BY 4.0); Peace lily – 2 by W.carter (CC BY-SA 4.0)