Complete Care & Troubleshooting Guide
The money tree's braided trunk is a human invention — growers braid young stems in the 1980s Taiwanese plant market, and the "lucky" tree conquered gift shops worldwide. Under the folklore is a genuinely easy swamp tree from Central America: five-leaflet "hands," thick trunk, forgiving nature.
Care. Medium to bright indirect light; water when the top inch or two dries, less in dim rooms and winter — the trunk stores reserves, so overwatering (not neglect) is the main killer. Any humidity, standard warmth, occasional leaf wiping. Rotate for even growth; the braid stays braid. Feed lightly in the growing season.
Watch for: yellowing leaves (too much water), and trunk softness (serious rot — dry immediately). Interestingly, some plants ship with five-leaf hands; a rare seven-leaflet hand is considered extra lucky. Non-toxic to cats and dogs — the most giftable pet-safe tree.