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8 Best Soils for Money Trees in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks
Lindsey Lawson
Last updated:
The money tree is a beautiful, elegant plant that may be native to the swampy, tropical regions of Central and South America, but makes a surprisingly hardy and easy-to-care-for houseplant under proper conditions.
The money tree is very popular in Feng Shui practices and is thought to bring good luck and prosperity to those that have them. If you are looking to add one of these beautiful plants to your home and maybe even bring good fortune along the way, you’ll need to provide for its needs, starting with the right soil.
Rather than scouring the internet in search of the perfect soil, we’ve done the dirty work for you and sifted through the reviews to bring you a list of the best soils for money plants this year.
Peat moss, bark nuggets, worm casting, perlite, and lime
Size:
4 quarts
Weight:
2.48 pounds
Rio Hamza Trading makes this soil specifically for money trees. This potting mix works well for initial planting and repotting and gets our pick for best overall because it not only meets all the needs of these unique plants but is also affordable.
The key ingredients in this soil are peat moss, bark nuggets, worm castings perlite, and lime. Not only is it full of essential nutrients but it drains well, which is very important. There are a total of 4 quarts in each bag, which is enough to plant or repot two medium-sized money trees.
The only downside to this all-natural soil is that the bag it comes in is not resealable, so you’ll want to have something handy to keep the bag securely shut or have a resealable bag ready if you have leftover soil.
Pros
Well-draining
Includes worm castings for additional nutrients
Affordable
Enough for two medium-sized money trees
Cons
The bag is not resealable
2. Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Potting Mix – Best Value
Miracle-Gro’s Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Potting Mix are obviously designed for use in cacti, palm, and citrus plants but it’s also a great choice for money trees because it drains so well. This soil gets our pick as the best value for your money because it is very inexpensive, and you get a lot of soil for your money. You still won’t get a resealable bag with this soil, though.
Miracle-Gro is a household brand that is very easy to come by. You can find this potting mix very easily in most retail stores, home improvement stores, or even online. The sphagnum peat moss, sand, and perlite are all fast-draining ingredients that help prevent the development of root rot.
This formula is also enriched with some added fertilizer and contains a higher percentage of nitrogen, which will promote stem and leaf growth on your money tree. The fact that you get 8 quarts in a single bag is incredible, leaving you plenty left over to plant more money trees or other plants that will thrive in this soil.
Mycorrhizal fungi, worm castings, oyster shells, bat guano
Size:
12 quarts
Weight:
8 pounds
FoxFarm’s Happy Frog Potting soil gets our pick for premium choice for money trees for being nutrient-rich and containing ingredients that are great for your money tree’s health. The key ingredients in this soil formula include mycorrhizal fungi, worm castings, oyster shells, and even bat guano.
This potting soil is well-aerated and drains easily and contains beneficial microbes along with mycorrhizae that are fantastic for the development of roots. It also comes in a 12-quart bag so there’s plenty of soil to go around.
This formula includes organic compost and is incredibly versatile, so you can use this soil for many other household plants. Unfortunately, the bag is not resealable, but you do get a good value for your money so, in our opinion, it’s well worth it.
The Money Tree Blend from Birch Seed Soils is a well-aerated, fast-draining soil that is a blend of peat moss, perlite, lime, worm castings, and sand. This soil is a bit pricier than some competitors, but it is very high quality and provides an optimal environment for your money tree to thrive.
This 2-quart bag is resealable and is the perfect amount for either potting or replanting 1 to 2 medium-sized money trees or 2 to 3 small ones. This potting mix drains well enough to prevent the dreaded root rot and sets a foundation for your money tree(s) to grow large and healthy.
The biggest complaint among consumers was the size of the bag. Some others did advise they had to water their plants way more often due to how fast draining the soil is,
Coir husk, pine bark, perlite, sand, and garden lime
Size:
2 quarts
Weight:
1.75 pounds
Perfect Plants Money Tree Potting Soil is designed specifically for the money tree and includes shredded coir husk, pine bark, perlite, sand, and garden lime. It is free from pelletized fertilizer and is great for promoting healthy, fast growth of your plant.
This soil is well-draining just like the money tree requires but will effectively retain nutrients to support a strong root system, and greener foliage, and to keep the plant thriving. This brand comes from a small, family farm and is crafted in Florida using all-natural ingredients.
These 2-quart bags are resealable for your convenience and if you are in need, they also offer 4-quart varieties. Perfect Plants may come at a higher price than some of the other competitors, but you can certainly save money by opting for the larger bag and the quality of the soil makes it well worth it.
The Money Tree Soil by Jessi Mae is an all-natural indoor potting soil that promotes strong, healthy root systems by being well-aerated, fast draining, and nutrient rich. The key ingredients in the product include perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss which promote water movement and prevent root rot.
In addition, this oil also contains compost and worm casting, so it’s rich in nitrates, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other essential minerals that support healthy growth and longevity. This soil is quick to dry, meaning it also works well for succulents and other houseplants that have similar requirements.
All the Jessi Mae products are hand mixed and made in Georgia, the USA without any chemicals. This is a well-reviewed potting soil that comes in a resealable 4-quart bag. The only downside within the reviews is some felt it just wasn’t enough soil for the price.
Another great option if you are looking for soil that is ideal for a money tree is the Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Mix. Since money trees have similar soil requirements to cacti and succulents, the soils geared toward these plants typically do a stand-up job.
The ingredients are all organic and this blend includes a mix of peat moss, reed sedge peat, perlite, and sand. This soil is very well-draining but the downside regarding the money tree is that the texture is coarser, so it does better when mixed with traditional potting soil.
It comes in a 4-quart, resealable bag for your convenience. The good news is that since it is designed for cactus and succulents, you can use it for some of your other household plants, too.
Last but not least, Miracle Gro Indoor Potting Mix is another great soil where money trees can thrive. This is a 6-quart bag, but it also comes in a 16-quart option. It is very affordable, and you get a good amount of soil for your money.
This potting mix is nutrient dense and well-draining and is meant as an all-purpose houseplant soil. The key ingredients are peat moss and coconut coir, and the mix contains no bark, so you don’t have to worry as much about pests.
The bag isn’t resealable, so you’ll need to make sure you can securely store that leftover soil. This makes for a convenient choice if you are looking for low-priced soil that you’d like to use for most of your houseplants. It’s a great option if your money tree needs to recover from stress such as overwatering or a pest infestation. It’s best not to use this soil for young money trees, though.
Pros
Well-draining
Nutrient dense
Affordable
Cons
The bag is not resealable
Can be dangerous to young plants
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Soils for Money Plants
When it comes to getting the proper setup for a new plant, you will have a lot of species-specific care requirements to check off your list. Here are some tips for getting properly established with your new money tree.
Do Your Research
Whenever you are interested in bringing home a new plant, it is highly recommended that you do your research on the specific species and have a well-rounded knowledge of the overall care requirements. Look into information on the money tree and everything you need for it to thrive.
If you decide this is something that you can handle, you can dive even deeper and start looking into all the products you need to get off on the right foot.
Choosing the Right Soil
The money tree requires well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. The best soil mixes are well-draining and sandy. They typically include a combination of ingredients like peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir, sand, and even pebbles.
Money trees can also benefit from nutrient-rich ingredients like worm castings, compost, and mycorrhizae. Compost, manure, or liquid fertilizers are also added once per month during the spring and summer growing seasons.
There are quite a few soil options out there that are specific to money trees. Other soils that are made for plants that require well-draining soil like succulents and cactus are also great options. Some traditional indoor potting mixes may work but you could end up needing to add some extra well-draining soil to the mix if it won’t get the job done alone.
Choosing the Right Pot
Selecting the right pot for your money tree will depend on its current size. The larger the pot is, the larger your money tree will grow. You should choose a well-draining pot since it will be detrimental to your plant if it were to sit in water. As a good rule of thumb, repot your money tree into a new pot that is one to two sizes larger than before. Repotting should only be required about every 2 years.
Image Credit: t.sableaux, Shutterstock
Tips for Keeping a Money Tree Healthy
Money tree plant care can be much more high maintenance when the young tree is first getting established. The key here is supporting your plant with the proper conditions to ensure it makes it to maturity and develops a secure root system. Once this happens, the money tree becomes a lot lower maintenance in terms of care requirements. Here are some tips to help you nurture your money tree and keep it in good health.
Give the Tree Room to Grow
Generally, it’s recommended that you keep your money tree in a pot with a diameter as wide as the plant’s foliage. It will need to be repotted from time to time, as we mentioned above. Repotting will need to be done carefully. This is an essential part of ensuring your plant has plenty of room for healthy growth.
Keep Ahead of Pests
Your money tree’s health could wane significantly if it were to get infested with pests. It’s best to keep the conditions in the pot well-maintained and even use natural repellents to help stave off any infestations. Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats are common pests that you will need to be on the lookout for.
Prune Your Tree to Promote Growth
Early in the growing season, which is spring and summer, you will want to prune unwanted branches by making each cut right above the leaf nodes. The money tree will need to be in proper lighting consistently to sprout more leaves.
Keep Up with Temperature and Humidity Requirements
Money plants thrive in the USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, which means they are not cold hardy plants. They will not survive frost, so if you live in an area that sees cold winters you will need to keep the money tree inside at temperatures between 60- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit. To keep up with humidity during the dry winters, there’s nothing wrong with misting the plant occasionally or even placing a humidifier inside the room.
Conclusion
The reviews speak for themselves and there are plenty of great soil options for money trees. Rio Hamza Trading Money Tree Potting Mix is a great overall choice that checks off all the needs for a money tree while being affordable.
Lindsey is a wife, mother, nature enthusiast, animal lover, and business major. She was born and raised in Ohio but now live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She shares her home with a German Shepherd, several snakes, tarantulas, and a couple rescue cats.
Lindsey Lawson
