How to Fertilize Money Tree | Monthly Feeding Schedule

Feed a Money Tree once per month during spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength, and stop all fertilization in winter unless the plant is under grow lights.

A Money Tree that gets the right nutrients at the right time stays lush and full. The catch is that these plants burn easily from too much or the wrong kind of food — the short path through a typical growing season uses one teaspoon of liquid fertilizer per gallon of water, applied once every four weeks. What follows is the exact schedule, the dilution that works, and the one winter exception that changes everything.

What Kind of Fertilizer Does a Money Tree Need?

Money Trees perform best on a balanced or low-phosphorus formula. The target N-P-K ratios are 6-6-6, 6-2-4, or a dedicated foliage blend like 9-3-6 (Dyna-Gro SuperThrive Foliage is a standout in that range). A product designed specifically for Money Trees, such as the liquid formula from Perfect Plants, is mixed at one teaspoon per gallon of water and is ready to use at half the label strength of most general-purpose fertilizers. Organic options like We the Wild or Indoor Miracle Grow also work, with the advantage of zero salt buildup. For a hands-off approach, one teaspoon of slow-release pelleted fertilizer spread across the soil surface feeds the plant for weeks.

The Seasonal Fertilization Schedule: When to Feed and When to Rest

Money Trees enter active growth in spring and slow down in fall. The feeding calendar follows that rhythm exactly.

The winter rule has one real exception. If the Money Tree sits under grow lights for six or more hours a day, it does not go fully dormant, and a very diluted dose once every two to three months keeps it stable. Without that light, feeding in winter just sits in the soil and rots the roots.

How to Fertilize a Money Tree: The Step-by-Step Routine

Each step matters, and skipping the prep work is the fastest way to kill a healthy plant.

Step 1: Check the Soil and Roots First

Stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the top two to four inches are dry, it is time to fertilize. If the soil is still damp, wait. Also check the roots — Money Trees are often shipped with rubber bands, foam plugs, or ties wrapped around the base of the trunk. Those must be removed before any feeding or watering, or they restrict growth and trap moisture against the bark.

Step 2: Mix the Fertilizer to Half-Strength

For a liquid fertilizer, fill a one-gallon container with room-temperature water. Add one teaspoon of the Money Tree-specific fertilizer, or if using a general balanced formula, dilute it to exactly half the strength listed on the label. Stir gently until dissolved. The mixed solution can be stored in a sealed container for up to six months.

Step 3: Apply Evenly to the Soil

Pour the mixture onto the soil just as you would a normal watering, covering the entire surface so the roots soak evenly. For slow-release pellets, spread one teaspoon across the soil surface, work it into the top inch without damaging any roots, and wait one to two hours before watering to push the nutrients down.

Step 4: Watch for Success or Trouble

The first good sign is steady new leaf growth in the weeks after feeding. Over-fertilization shows up as yellowing lower leaves or brown, crispy leaf tips — if you see that, flush the soil with plain water and skip the next month’s feeding. Under-fertilized plants stay small and pale with thin stems. Our tested roundup of the best money tree fertilizers covers the specific products that match these requirements and avoid the common burn risks.

Common Mistakes That Hurt a Money Tree

Three errors cause most of the damage in indoor Money Trees:

• Over-fertilizing with full-strength mix. Money Tree roots are sensitive; a full dose of general fertilizer burns them fast. Half-strength is the only safe starting point.
• Feeding during winter dormancy. The plant is not using the nutrients, and the excess builds up in the soil, leading to root rot. Stop by mid-October and start again in March.
• Using high-phosphorus formulas. Blossom-boosting fertilizers with high middle numbers stress the foliage growth Money Trees need. Low-phosphorus blends in the 9-3-6 range produce better leaf color and density.

Fertilizing a Money Tree Outdoors vs. Indoors

An outdoor Money Tree on a covered porch (bright indirect light, no direct sun) grows faster and can handle a dose every two weeks during high-humidity summer weather. Indoor trees in standard household conditions stay on the monthly rhythm. Both need the same half-strength dilution and the same winter break — an outdoor plant left in a cold, dark spot with fertilizer in the soil will rot before spring arrives.

What to Do If You Accidentally Over-Fertilized

If the leaves are yellowing at the bottom or the tips are turning brown and crisp, flush the pot. Run room-temperature water through the soil until it drains freely from the bottom, let the pot drain completely, and then leave the plant alone for at least two weeks. Do not fertilize again until new growth appears, and when you do, use a quarter-strength dose instead of half. If the soil smells sour or the base of the trunk feels mushy, root rot has already started, and the plant needs fresh dry soil and a clean pot.