How to prune the money plant

The money plant is pruned in late winter

Image - Wikimedia / Digigalos

The money plant is native to South America and is often kept as a houseplant for the unusual appearance of its twisted stems and rounded leaves. Careful pruning each year maintains the size of this lovely plant, so that it remains compact and with a correct stem length.

As a curiosity, you should know that it is known as a "good luck plant", since it is believed that it imparts positive energy to a place and brings luck with money. But what we have no doubt about is that it is very easy to grow. It can reach a height of three meters maximum, although you can have it smaller. To do this, we will explain how to prune the money plant.

When to prune the money plant?

View of a Plectranthus verticillatus

Image - Wikimedia / SergioTorresC

Pruning should be done regularly in spring. It's okay to do a little pruning to remove new shoots as they emerge, but it's not necessary. Trimming the plant at once is easier. If you want a stem to grow in a certain direction, pay attention to how you trim it.

Since new growth forms along pruning cuts, the 45 degree cut angle is critical. Make the cut at an angle at the top of the stem so that the new stem grows upward. You can also make the stem grow at an angle, for example to the side.

How to prune the money plant?

If the stems of the money plant, also called the coin plant or Plectranthus verticillatus become too tall or wide for their pots, they need to be trimmed back. If you can see such stems or leaves sticking out of the top or sides, prune them to restructure and promote healthy development. Money plant pruning is used to remove discolored or wilted leaves.

These plants must be pruned at least once in the spring to maintain their shape. Try to prune them at least once between March and May (Northern Hemisphere) so they can thrive the rest of the year. Use clean, sharp garden shears.. These can be found at your local garden supply store or here.

To prune the money plant you must do the following:

  • Trim stems just ahead of a leaf or node to eliminate their length. Do not cut more than a third of a stem, and cut it at a 45-degree angle to promote new growth.
  • You have to remove the dead twigs to keep the money plant healthy and prevent it from wasting energy resources on a stem that won't come back to life.
  • Cut the twig down to the root of the plant, or 5 centimeters beyond the last dead piece if a large part is still alive. To avoid scarring, cut back 2,5cm from the trunk if cutting close to the main twisted stem of the plant.
  • When the money plant has reached the desired height, trim the top stems to prevent further growth. Keeping it trimmed back can help you limit its size as a houseplant.

Money plant care after pruning

Maintenance

After pruning you don't really have to give it any special care. I mean, it will continue to be cared for the same way it was cared for before it was pruned. Now, if you are not clear about what these cares are, here I am going to tell you the most basic ones:

Irrigation

Be careful with watering. To the money plants they don't like excess water. For this reason, the saucer must be systematically emptied and the substrate must be allowed to dry between waterings. Therefore, you have to water regularly during the summer, and reduce the frequency in winter. If the air humidity is low, spray the foliage with lime-free water if the air humidity is low.

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It can be paid when at least a week has passed since pruning, and until autumn. For this, a liquid fertilizer for green plants such as this, or an organic fertilizer such as guano as this. In any case, you must follow the instructions for use so that problems do not arise.

Transplant

If you need a pot change, you will know it because the roots come out through the holes in it. When that happens, you will have to plant it in one that is about 5 centimeters larger than the one it currently has. As a substrate, you have to put a universal one (for sale here) or a specific one for green plants such as this.

Reproduction

The fastest way to have new specimens is by getting a cutting of the money plant from our own Plectranthus. Therefore, the same day that we can, we will take the opportunity to separate a few stems that we will later plant in individual pots with universal substrate, or in water only until the roots come out because you cannot have a money plant in water permanently.

Where to place the money plant?

The money plant is a perennial herb.

Image - Wikimedia / Forest and Kim Starr

It is advisable to opt for a bright location without direct sunlight, indoors or in a greenhouse. You have to avoid sources of heat such as radiators. These plants like to live in a humid and hot environment. However, they withstand a wide range of temperatures with the exception of frost.

Thus, you will not only be able to prune your money plant correctly, but you will also make it look beautiful.


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