The Feng Shui Money Tree or Money Plant is a symbolic tool that is used attract wealth, money, and prosperity into your life. The magic is in the symbolism, not the plant!
Anything you use as a reminder of your intention becomes a “symbol” – a representation of something greater than the object itself. Using symbolism in your environment helps to keep your energies focused on those things you wish you invest your life in.
Placement
Place your Money Tree in any area in which you wish to increase abundance – kitchen (health), office (business), library (knowledge)….etc.
The best location otherwise is in the far left corner of the room from the door. This is the “wealth” area of the room, where the energies bringing prosperity into your life will pool and flow.
Trees and Plants and Statues … oh my…
There is some confusion about what a money tree is as there are three different items that are consistently called a “money tree”…
Pachira Aquatica ~ “Money Tree”
The plant most commonly referred to as a Money Tree is the Pachira Aquatica, a tropical plant that is popularly sold with the trunks braided and often decorated with red ribbons or coins.
The shape of the leaves – with five leaflets attached to one Leaf – represent the five elements of Chinese Feng Shui. See my article on Feng Shui Elements for more information.
By having several plants in one pot and braiding them, you can enhance the idea of holding onto the wealth. The most common way is to have 8 plants braided into a “cage” to “capture” the wealth.
These are tropical plants and prefer moisture, warmth and diffused light. They are easy to grow and while often kept small or even in bonsai size, they can grow to 15 feet with a 10 foot leaf span.
Cresol Ovate ~ Jade ~ “Money Plant”
The Jade plant, the Cresol Ovate, is also called a “Money Plant or Tree.” It is a succulent with small pink or white flowers and plump leaves.
The leaves are rounded, which look similar to and thus represent coins – which enhances their attracting money and wealth.
Jade plants are incredibly hearty plant able to withstand heat and sun and drought to some degree – all of which amplify the idea of your wealth surviving difficult conditions as well.
Coin & Jade Trees
Many people prefer the use of a metal, sculpture-like tree with ornamental characters around the base and coins or pieces of jade hanging in the branches as if they were leaves.
Jade is considered a lucky gemstone and used for this purpose. Sometime citrine is used as well as it energetically attracts wealth.
Coin Trees often have Chinese coins hanging in the branches and liberal use of red ribbons.
A Note on Symbolism
Keep in mind that as a symbol of your intention to attract wealth, any lush and healthy plant can be called a “Money Tree.” The idea being that your wealth is well rooted and growing in a vibrant manner.
And for that manner, anything you designate as your “lucky” item is in itself not the bringer of luck, but a reminder of the fact that you are an infinite being living in an infinite universe and abundance is your true nature.
