The Spiritual Significance & Benefits of Money Trees

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Use money tree feng shui to attract luck and wealth
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Have you been thinking about getting a money tree, or were you recently given one as a gift? If you’re curious about what it means to own a money tree, keep reading for a list of the possible spiritual and health benefits of having a money tree, along with its cultural meaning and history . We’ll also let you know where to place your money tree using feng shui principles and offer answers to some additional questions about money trees.

Symbolism of the Money Tree Plant

Money trees are associated with good luck, wealth, and prosperity. They’re said to invite fortune and financial success into your home or business, as well as positive energy, spiritual growth, and transformation. Having a money tree is also linked to resilience, stability, fertility, relationships, and a good mood.

Section 1 of 7:

Spiritual Benefits of a Money Tree

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  1. 1
    Good Luck Money trees are a symbol of good luck and fortune, according to the principles of feng shui. Money trees are believed to bring luck , as they’re associated with the Chinese lucky number 5. Each money tree typically has 5 leaves to represent the 5 elements in feng shui: wood, water, metal, fire, and earth. [1]
  2. 2
    Wealth and Prosperity Caring for a money tree is said to be a way to attract money and financial success. The vivid green color of the leaves symbolizes financial growth, while the braided trunk represents the coming together of resources and fate to produce a positive financial outcome.
    • Nurturing your money tree over a long-term period is a reflection of how it takes perseverance and patience to grow your finances over time.
    • Balancing your quest for wealth and abundance with generosity is another way that the money tree focuses on harmony between financial success and gratitude.
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  3. 3
    Positive Energy Placing a money tree in your home or business is believed to attract positive chi (or energy), especially related to your luck and finances. Generally speaking, money trees improve the environment in which they’re placed by purifying the air and increasing humidity. This symbolizes an ability to “purify” different aspects of your life, from your job to your relationships and projects.
  4. 4
    Spiritual Growth Having a money tree may also help attract spiritual growth into your life. Money trees are thought to nurture your spiritual nature by inviting in wisdom, personal development, and a sense of peace. You may decide to pursue this kind of growth through enlightenment and understanding. [2]
  5. 5
    Adaptability & Resilience Just as the money tree can adapt to different environments, it also symbolizes adaptability and resilience for the person who has one. Money trees show that you can be resilient and adapt to your circumstances, no matter what challenges you face. Remaining flexible is a way to thrive under any conditions and ultimately be successful.
  6. 6
    Stability The solid trunk of a money tree is the foundation that roots the plant in the soil. It’s important to have a strong spiritual foundation from which you can grow and thrive through the “branches” of opportunity and experience. By grounding with the earth’s energies, you’re more likely to find a sense of balance and calm.
  7. 7
    Fertility The tree’s vibrant green leaves are sometimes a symbol for fertility and nurture. Expansion is always possible through growth and development. Nurture your spiritual and financial sense of self just as you care for the money tree by giving it light, fresh soil, and water from which to thrive.
  8. 8
    Transformation It’s believed that you can positively transform energy by owning a money tree. This mostly applies to wealth and prosperity, but can show up in many aspects of your life, from your career path to love and relationships. The tree represents the potential you have to change your current situation and create a better one through hard work and perseverance.
  9. 9
    Stronger Relationships A money tree doesn’t only relate to wealth and fortune—it may also help strengthen your most important relationships. This is especially true of any marriages within the household where the money tree resides. According to traditional money tree lore, the plant can also mend broken relationships. Either way, seeing the money tree’s beauty every day can help create a positive environment for anyone living within the space.
  10. 10
    Mood Improvement Having a money tree can improve your mood because of its appealing look, which is linked to positive energy and stress reduction. Physically, the plant helps improve air quality and increase humidity, which can naturally help you feel better. It also reduces toxins in the air and improves oxygen, all reasons why having a money tree might make you feel healthier, more focused, and calm. [3]
    • Just being able to look at a plant is often believed to reduce anxiety and improve mood.
    • Taking care of plants like a money tree is a reminder of your connection with the earth, which also helps you feel more positive.
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Section 2 of 7:

Non-Spiritual Benefits of a Money Tree

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  1. 1
    Low-maintenance Money trees don’t require constant care, so they’re a great option if you’re new to plant care or live a busy lifestyle. Let the top inch of soil get dry between waterings, and give your money tree plenty of bright, indirect light (though they can still grow in lower light environments). Mist them from time to time in particularly dry environments, and fertilize them during the growing season.
    • Money trees are also known for being resistant to insects and plant diseases overall.
  2. 2
    Affordable Depending on their size, money trees are relatively affordable plants to own. They usually range between $20 and $40, while very small money trees sometimes sell for under $10. Starting with a small money tree is a good idea if you’re short on space.
  3. 3
    Air purification Money trees are known to have air-purifying qualities. Like many other plants, they can remove toxins in the air, including benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Having a money tree does its part to improve your indoor air quality every day. [4]
  4. 4
    Pet-friendly Money trees are non-toxic to both dogs and cats. If by some chance your pets ingest any part of it, it won’t cause them any serious harm. They may still experience digestive upset, so it’s a good idea to keep your money tree where they can’t chew on it, like a high shelf or table. [5]
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Section 3 of 7:

Money Tree Cultural Meaning & History

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  1. 1
    Money trees originated as bronze sculptures in ancient China. These sculptures were thought to bring wealth and fortune. During the Han dynasty (206-220 BCE), they were holy objects that were placed in tombs with gold coins hanging from their branches; it was believed that they offered abundance to departed souls in the afterlife. [6]
    • They’re also associated with a folktale of a farmer who finds a magical tree that gives off gold coins when shaken.
    • The term “money tree” originated in the 8th century CE.
  2. 2
    The money tree plant was first cultivated in the 1980s in Taiwan. In the 80s, a Taiwanese truck driver decided to braid multiple seedlings of the plant together to make it more visually appealing in hopes that it would sell better. He deemed the plant a “money tree” which became linked to good luck and fortune because he ended up selling so many.
  3. 3
    The money tree is also a symbol of wealth in India. It’s linked to prosperity, good fortune, positive energy, and financial well-being. According to the Indian Vastu Shastra practice, having a money plant is a way to create a sense of harmony and balance in a space, especially when placed in a southeastern direction, as with feng shui. [7]
    • Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian science focused on guidelines for homes, buildings, temples, or cities. It is similar to the Chinese practice of feng shui.
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Section 4 of 7:

Where should you put a money tree in feng shui?

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  1. 1
    Place a money tree in the southeast corner of your home or business. The southeast direction is associated with wealth and prosperity in feng shui. Specifically, keeping it in areas of the home or office where financial transactions take place or where wealth is stored is also said to focus on positive financial energy. Placing a money tree near an entrance is another way to invite in financial success and good luck. [8]
    • Feng shui consultant Susan Levitt agrees that the entrance and the southeastern wealth corner of a home or business is a great place to practice feng shui. She states that “One-third of good feng shui occurs at the entrance. Also, look at the wealth corner if it's a business and has to make money.” [9]
  2. 2
    Keep a money tree in the living room instead of the bedroom. Attracting prosperity to the main area or living room is a way you can share the good fortune of the money tree with others in your workplace or home. Avoid keeping a money tree in a bedroom, since its energy is believed to be too intense for a space focused on rest. [10]
    • If you place a money tree on your desk, keep it in the left-hand corner to encourage prosperity and abundance in whatever you’re working on.
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Section 5 of 7:

Differences Between Money Trees & Money Plants

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  1. 1
    Money trees have a braided trunk and large, hand-shaped leaves. Also known by the scientific name Pachira Aquatica, they can reach 6-8 feet tall unless you prune them regularly. Money trees are most commonly associated with wealth, luck, and prosperity within feng shui practices that include placing them in a southeastern direction in your space.
    • The money tree’s braided stem has 5 strands, like its 5 leaves; the strands symbolize the 5 elements of feng shui: wood, water, fire, metal, and earth. The braided stem is also linked to strength and unity, and is believed to lock good fortune within its folds.
    • The “open-hand” shape of the leaves is said to invite wealth and prosperity as well.
    • Money trees need bright, indirect light, watering when the top inch of soil is dry, moderate humidity, and monthly fertilizing. If a money tree dies, it doesn’t necessarily mean bad luck; it simply alludes to a lack of proper care for the plant.
  2. 2
    The Chinese money plant has coin-shaped leaves and long, slim stems. Known as Pilea Peperomioides, these plants are smaller in size than money trees, but are also linked to wealth, fortune, and abundance. [11] The coin-shaped leaves relate to financial abundance, due to their resemblance to money. Because they’re easy to propagate, Chinese money plants are also known as “friendship plants” that you can share with friends.
    • The term “money plant” can also refer to a group of plants that includes both money trees and Chinese money plants.
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Section 6 of 7:

What does the number of leaves on a money tree mean?

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  1. The 5 leaves of a money tree represent the 5 elements of feng shui. In general, most money trees have 5 leaves per stem. Each of these leaves represents one of the 5 elements of feng shui: wood, water, fire, metal, and earth. The leaves also symbolize balance and harmony, and are linked to good luck and fortune. [12]
    • A money tree with 6 leaves may bring even more good fortune since it’s much less common for a money tree to have 6 leaves per stem.
    • The rarest money tree will have 7 leaves per stem, which is the equivalent of locating a 4-leaf clover in terms of rarity and luck.
Section 7 of 7:

How to Give a Money Tree as a Gift

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  1. Give a money tree as a gift to inspire good luck and prosperity for others. When presenting a money tree to someone as a gift, make sure to choose a healthy plant that is the right size for their space. It’s also possible to make a money tree by folding real cash . Money trees make thoughtful, creative gifts for many occasions, like the following:
    • Housewarming: Money trees welcome positive energy and growth to a new home.
    • New house purchase: Money trees make a thoughtful gift from a real estate broker to their client when they buy a new home.
    • New business opening: It’s common to give a money tree to someone opening a new business to attract financial success long term.
    • For coworkers/clients: They’re a way to foster success and wealth in the office.
    • Birthday or Graduation: They can act as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the future.
    • St. Patrick's Day: Money trees are a unique good luck charm for a holiday focused on luck.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nybg.org/planttalk/the-key-to-good-fortune-with-your-money-tree/#:~:text=Made+of+bronze,+these+“money,sign+of+immense+good+fortune https://www.nybg.org/planttalk/the-key-to-good-fortune-with-your-money-tree/
      2. ↑ https://spiritualmojo.com/money-tree-spiritual-meaning/
      3. ↑ https://www.nybg.org/planttalk/the-key-to-good-fortune-with-your-money-tree/#:~:text=Made+of+bronze,+these+“money,sign+of+immense+good+fortune https://www.nybg.org/planttalk/the-key-to-good-fortune-with-your-money-tree/
      4. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/3-indoor-plants-actually-clean-air-t100828
      5. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/money-tree
      6. ↑ https://www.nybg.org/planttalk/the-key-to-good-fortune-with-your-money-tree/
      7. ↑ https://housing.com/news/vastu-for-money-plant/
      8. ↑ https://www.indesignlive.com/singapore/segments/money-plant-feng-shui-how-to-choose-the-best-money-tree-variety
      9. ↑ Susan Levitt. Feng Shui Consultant. Expert Interview
      1. ↑ https://www.indesignlive.com/singapore/segments/money-plant-feng-shui-how-to-choose-the-best-money-tree-variety
      2. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pilea-peperomioides/
      3. ↑ https://adamsfarms.com/gardentips/money-tree-meaning-symbolism/

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