My Money Tree Is Too Tall and Skinny: What to Do
Encourage a fuller, more compact structure in your tall money tree. Learn the simple care adjustments and shaping techniques for a healthier, balanced plant.
When a once-compact money tree (Pachira aquatica) stretches into a tall, sparse version of its former self, it develops a “leggy” appearance. This common growth pattern is not a sign of failure and can be corrected. With a few strategic actions, you can restore its full, bushy shape and encourage healthier, more robust growth.
Causes of a Tall and Skinny Money Tree
The primary reason a money tree becomes tall and skinny is a process called etiolation. This occurs when the plant does not receive enough light and begins to stretch its stems in search of a better source. This results in elongated, weak stems with significant space between the leaves, giving the plant a sparse and unbalanced look.
Plants will naturally grow toward their most potent light source. If your money tree is placed far from a window or in a dim corner, it will dedicate its energy to vertical growth rather than developing a full canopy. This one-directional stretching is amplified if the plant is never rotated. Without regular turning, the side facing the light receives most of the energy, while the other side weakens, contributing to a lopsided structure.
Another factor that can contribute to weak, leggy growth is improper watering. Inconsistent or shallow watering can stress the plant and inhibit the development of a strong root system, which is necessary to support robust stems and foliage. When the root system is weak, the plant lacks the foundation to sustain dense, bushy growth.
How to Prune a Leggy Money Tree
Pruning is the most direct way to correct a leggy money tree and stimulate a fuller shape. Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, as a clean cut helps prevent infection and promotes faster healing. The goal is to encourage the plant to branch out from lower on its stems, creating a denser appearance.
To prune successfully, you must identify the nodes on the stems. A node is a small, often slightly raised bump on the stem where a leaf or branch emerges. This is the point from which new growth will sprout after being cut. To encourage branching, make your cuts about a half-inch above a node, which signals the plant to activate dormant buds.
Money trees are quite resilient, so you can safely prune back up to one-third of the plant’s overall height to reshape it. Focus on cutting back the longest, most stretched-out stems to bring the plant back to a more compact size. The plant might look bare immediately after a prune, but this is necessary to reset its growth pattern. The healthy stem pieces you’ve cut off can be propagated in a glass of water.
Encouraging Bushy Growth After Pruning
After pruning, the care you provide determines if the money tree will grow back full and lush. The most important adjustment is to provide more light. Move the plant to a location where it will receive several hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. An ideal spot is near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window, where the light is bright but not so intense that it will scorch the leaves.
Proper watering is also important as the plant produces new growth. Water your money tree thoroughly, allowing the pot to drain completely, whenever the top one to two inches of soil feel dry. This consistent moisture helps build a strong root system capable of supporting the new, dense foliage. Avoid letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, as this can lead to root rot.
To support this new growth phase, consider providing nutrients. During the spring and summer growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every four to six weeks. You should also make a habit of rotating the plant a quarter turn each time you water. This step ensures all sides of the plant receive equal light exposure, promoting even, upright growth.