Best potting soil for money tree plants: 4 great options and tips

Native to Central and South America, money tree plants (Pachira aquatica) have long been admired by followers of Feng Shui principles and fellow gardening enthusiasts – all for their unique braided trunks and lush, green foliage associated with abundance. Adding a money tree plant to your indoor garden, start by looking into some important secrets for the soil that money trees flourish on.

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This article will provide you with 4 evenly great potting soil mix choices, alongside a handful of practical tips for selecting the ideal soil mix. In such tight competition, solely due to a tailored approach/brand reputation combo, we pronounce OSP Money Tree Soil Blend as the best soil for money trees.

ProductImageFeatures
OSP Money Tree Soil BlendSpecifically formulated for money trees
Optimal drainage and moisture retention
Optimal blend of organic materials
Easy planting and repotting
Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil MixDesigned for cacti/succulents, suits money trees
Proper drainage and aeration
Well-suited for pots/containers
Sun Gro SUGRBG2 13020402 Black Gold Natural and Organic SoilNatural&organic potting soil plus fertilizer
Rich, all-purpose loamy mix
100% organic base (screened earthworm castings/Canadian peat moss)
Blended w/perlite and pumice for aeration
Money Tree Soil, Soil Mix for Planting or Repotting Money Tree (Rio Hamza Trading)Designed specifically for money trees
Balanced blend of nutrients for healthy growth
Great drainage while retaining moisture
Suitable planting and repotting

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OSP Money Tree Soil Blend

Best tailored approach

OSP’s soil specifically blended to cater to the needs of money trees is just perfect for its purpose.

Highly regarded for its exceptional qualities, this premium soil offers excellence in moisture retention and consistent hydration of your money tree. It achieves the same excellence in healthy root development, which constitutes a healthy and beautiful plant.

The organic ingredients of this soil are carefully selected and blended into a balanced mix of nutrients specifically tailored to meet the needs of money trees. This level of precision in its formula sets it apart from other options on the market.

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Those gardeners who get familiar with this soil, shower it with positive feedback, further reinforcing its unmatched reputation. It has become a trusted choice to always deliver reliable results and help money trees thrive.

While this OSP’s soil mix may come across as somewhat pricey, both beginners and experienced gardeners find the quality and benefits it provides making it worth the money.

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Pros

  • Tailored to money plants
  • Essential nutrients
  • Good drainage
  • Promotes root growth

Cons

  • Slightly higher price point

Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

Most optimal moisture retention

Hoffman’s soil mix aimed at cactus and succulent plants is also a perfect choice for those who grow money trees – money plants thrive on soil tailored to cacti and succulents.

This mix has a well-balanced composition able to provide optimal moisture retention and proper airflow so much needed by money plant’s roots.

Mix’s drainage capability and ability to prevent overwatering and potential root rot issues are just as perfect.

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The premium organic ingredients of this soil mix are full of essential nutrients and minerals necessary for plant vitality. The organic matter supports the natural growth of money trees and enhances their resilience to various environmental conditions.

Some reviews say the soil mix may dry out relatively quickly, so we need to monitor the watering process a little more carefully.

Additionally, it performs better after adding organic amendments or other moisture-retaining techniques.

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Pros

  • Well-draining
  • Organic materials
  • Good aeration

Cons

  • Not tailored to money trees
  • May require organic adjustments

Sun Gro SUGRBG2 13020402 Black Gold Natural and Organic Soil

Best nutrient balance

Sun Gro’s Black Gold Natural and Organic Soil is a versatile choice for indoor gardening, and that choice includes money trees without any buts.

Hand-mixed and derived from premium organic ingredients including fertilizer, this soil offers a rich loamy mix – and loamy soil is what experts conclude to be one of the best-ever options for money trees.

With its excellent aeration and drainage properties, this soil ensures healthy root growth and prevents risks of waterlogging and root rot.

The inclusion of screened earthworm castings and Canadian sphagnum peat moss (perfect organic matter for money tree plants) enhances soil fertility, boosting the growth of your money tree.

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While not targeting this mix specifically for money tree applications, the manufacturer points out that this soil is great for repotting store-bought money plants, as the soil money trees get sold in often lacks what it takes to support the tree’s health long-term.

Occasional availability issues may happen now and then, but if you are lucky to catch this soil in stock, go for it without second-guessing, as it has a well-deserved good reputation among gardeners.

Also, your plant is going to consume the pre-added fertilizer pretty fast. After a few weeks, you might consider starting to add extra fertilizer to the pot.

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Pros

  • Based on loamy soil
  • Well-draining
  • 100% organic base
  • Good aeration

Cons

  • Pre-added fertilizer depletes quickly

Money Tree Soil, Soil Mix for Planting or Repotting Money Tree (Rio Hamza Trading)

Best for inexperienced gardeners

Tailored specifically for money trees, this mix is a carefully curated blend of organic components, containing the essential nutrients required for robust and thriving money tree growth.

One notable feature of this soil mix is its optimal drainage properties, which help prevent waterlogging and potential root issues.

Furthermore, it is designed to be user-friendly and suitable for both planting and repotting applications, which is particularly beneficial for novice gardeners who may be less experienced in caring for indoor plants.

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Regarding the effectiveness of this soil mix and its ability to support healthy money tree growth, the feedback about Rio Hamza’s money tree mix is overwhelmingly in its favor.

Slightly leaning to retain a bit too much water according to a few reviews, it regardless stands out as a specialized solution offering convenience, high-quality ingredients, and optimal drainage properties.

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Pros

  • Specifically designed for money trees
  • Promotes healthy growth
  • Both for planting and repotting

Cons

  • May retain some excess water

Desired soil characteristics for money trees

Whether you are grabbing a ready-to-go soil package in a rush, or carefully mixing your own potting soil, remember that potting mix composition is everything.

The wrong soil mix might eventually kill your plant by falling short in just one thing, while good enough potting soils ensure optimal growth and health for your plant.

Here are the key characteristics to look for:

  • Good drainage. The best soil for money trees, well-draining potting soil which works with drainage holes in the pot to prevent waterlogging and rotting roots.
  • Retention of moisture. Enough moisture must be retained for the plant’s needs but not too much moisture.
  • Richness in nutrients. The soil should contain essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.
  • Aeration. A well-aerated soil allows for proper root respiration and prevents compaction.
  • pH balance. Money trees grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6 to 7.
  • Organic matter. Adding organic compost or peat moss improves soil fertility and moisture retention.
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Best soil types for a money tree plant

You can experiment and succeed on different soil types, but here are several main types to consider regarding soil options for money tree plants. This might help you to choose the best potting soil for money tree.

Loamy soil. Ideal for a money plant, it’s a well-balanced soil type that combines sand, silt, and clay in proper proportions. It offers good drainage while retaining adequate moisture, needed for money tree growth.

Sandy soil. Consists of larger particles that enhance drainage. Draining quickly, it may struggle to retain moisture and nutrients. Mixing bioorganic components such as compost or peat moss into sandy soil can help improve its water and nutrient-holding capacity.

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Potting mix. A potting mix tailored container plants like a money plant typically includes a combination of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and other organic materials. They cover the need for excellent drainage/moisture levels and are optimally nutrient-rich.

Cactus soil/succulent soil. Cactus or succulent soil mixes are well-draining, making them suitable soil for money tree plants, especially if you tend to overwater. Cactus soil mixes typically contain a higher proportion of inorganic materials like sand, perlite, or pumice to ensure proper drainage.

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Expert recommendation

All these types are good enough for a money tree plant. However, if you have options to choose from, experts advise opting for well-balanced loamy soil or a high-quality potting mix specifically formulated for money trees.

Organic oasis: key components for soil enhancement

Organic soil enhancers found in a potting mix are like pillars of support for the growth of money trees.

Organic matter enriches the soil with nutrients and improves its structure. It’s usually compost, peat-based matter (peat moss, also known as sphagnum moss), leaf mold, coco coir, worm castings, or green manure cover. It improves soil structure, retains moisture, and enhances nutrient content.

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But to truly nurture your plant, you need to add slow-release fertilizer to the soil, and only organic fertilizers can achieve that by gradually decomposing and making the nutrients available to the roots.

But to truly make all components work together, you need to enhance the soil’s microbiome. Beneficial microbes found in compost, peat moss, or well-rotted manure establish symbiotic relationships, aiding nutrient uptake. They break down organic material, release nutrients, enhance soil structure, and protect the roots against pathogens.

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FAQs

What potting soil is best for money tree?

If you have options to choose from, the best soil is loamy soil, or a potting mix specifically formulated for container plants (best if money tree-tailored). Both options provide favorable conditions for money tree growth.

However, potting mixes for container plants are more universally available in the USA than loamy soil, so they might be the best go-to option.

Can I use regular potting soil for money tree?

While regular potting mixes can be used for a money tree, opting for a well-draining soil mix is best to prevent issues like root rot.

Ensure the soil retains moisture without becoming waterlogged, and consider adding organic matter for optimal growth.

Is a money tree considered a succulent?

No, a money tree (Pachira aquatica) is not succulent.It is a tropical plant that belongs to the Malvaceae family. While succulents are known for their ability to store water in their leaves, money tree plants have different growth habits and do not possess the typical characteristics of succulent plants.

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Conclusion

In the journey of nurturing your money tree plants, choosing the best soil sets the stage for their health and growth, shaping their very foundation. With a careful selection of well-draining soil, infused with organic richness, you create an environment that encourages roots to explore and thrive. So, which product we can call the best potting soil for money tree?

Our favorite, OSP Money Tree Soil Blend, is a great and probably even the best investment and starting point for this, but other impressive options we considered will just as well ensure vibrant foliage and unwavering vitality of your money plants.

Vanessa Sharon

I am the founder of the Deep Nature Gardens website! I, along with the experts, want to provide you with our avid readers, with accurate and compelling knowledge about gardens, plants and design techniques.

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