Pruning Money Tree: Timing & Pruning Tips

In order for the money tree to keep its shape, it must be pruned regularly. Here's what to look out for when pruning a money tree.

Who doesn't want one money tree (Crassula ovata) call his own? No banknotes grow on this little tree, but decorative leaves do. In addition, the plant is easy to care for and tolerates pruning. Even if the money tree does not need regular pruning, there are plenty of reasons to use scissors. For example, with the right pruning, the tree can be grown into an ornamental shrub, standard tree or even a bonsai. In the following we will tell you everything about possible reasons for pruning your money tree, the right time to do it and the right procedure for pruning.

Prune money tree

Most money trees never come into contact with secateurs in their entire lives, because with the right care and in the ideal location, the tree grows vigorously and compactly. However, if the conditions are not ideal, the situation is unfortunately very different. There are many reasons for pruning the money tree.

Reasons to prune the money tree:

• For a denser dress of leaves
• For more regular growth
• For a thick trunk
• Bonsai education
• For propagation
• In case of illness or pest infestation

If the money tree threatens to die after an illness or pest infestation and does not recover by itself, it is essential to cut it back. Even if the tree grows too irregularly and does not develop a dense dress of leaves, pruning can help. If you want to raise your money tree as a standard or even as a bonsai, pruning is essential. And parts of the tree must also be cut off in order to propagate the tree.

Cut money tree: when is the right time?

Luckily, the money tree tolerates pruning well and actually keeps sprouting out reliably again and again. Therefore, it can also be pruned all year round. Spring is particularly suitable for pruning measures when the money tree has not yet sprouted again. Another option is to cut back after flowering. This way you don't accidentally cut off the inflorescences.

Cut money tree: instructions

Depending on why you want to prune your money tree, there are of course different pruning techniques. We have described the individual cutting measures for you below. It is best to use a sharp, clean knife for cutting. To be on the safe side, you can disinfect the knife with high-proof alcohol before cutting. In this way, no unwanted diseases are transmitted through the cut.

Prune money tree for a more regular growth

If you want to train your tree to a certain growth form or maintain it, a so-called training pruning is necessary. This allows you to determine the height and width of the plant according to your wishes. For upright growth, all side shoots are shortened by a maximum of half. For broad growth, the trunk is shortened by a third in height. You should only prune new branches at the tips of the shoots.

If the branches of older trees start to droop, a relief cut is also necessary. Otherwise the tree may even tip over. Cut off hanging branches about three centimeters before the bend. However, a few pairs of leaves should remain above the cutting point. In this way, new branches can develop on the shoot. Alternatively, you can also tie up the hanging shoots. After a while, they grow upright again on their own.

Cut money tree for a denser dress of leaves

Especially with older trees, it can happen that the shoots only have a few leaves. You can remedy this with a rejuvenation cut. To do this, cut off all old branches up to the ramifications on the trunk. In addition, shorten sparse branches by about a third, but leave at least two pairs of leaves on the shoot if possible. You can completely remove dried and discolored plant parts.

Cut money tree for propagation

The money tree can be easily and simply propagated using top cuttings. To do this, simply cut off a freshly sprouted branch at the end of the shoot after flowering.

More about the correct procedure for the Propagation of the money tree find out here.

Cut money tree in case of disease or pest infestation

If your money tree has been attacked by pests or a disease and has been badly damaged, sometimes only a radical pruning will help. This helps the tree regain new vitality. To do this, radically shorten all branches – except for one to two centimeters before the branching. If the trunk is also severely damaged, it is also cut, to just above the two lowest side shoots. If the tree is already larger, you can even cut the trunk to a hand's breadth above the substrate surface. After the cut, the tree has the opportunity to sprout again, and you have practically given it a "second life".

Should you Money tree losing its leaves, find out here what could be the cause.

Summary Cut money tree correctly:

• Use a sharp, sanitized knife
• Training pruning: Shorten side shoots by a third
• Relieving cut: Shorten or tie up hanging shoots
• Rejuvenation pruning: Cut old branches to just short of the trunk; Shorten light branches by a third
• For propagation: cut top cuttings
• In case of disease or pests: radical pruning

Raise the money tree to a high trunk

If you want to turn your money tree into a high trunk, you can achieve this with a suitable cut. Young plants that are one to two years old are best suited for this. If the plant has multiple trunks, choose the strongest and thickest one. The old leaves and shoots are removed from the lower part of the selected trunk. Now regularly cut the shoot tips in the upper area. This promotes the formation of new shoots and thus a nice, dense crown. It is best to stabilize your new standard with a stick and from now on regularly free the lower area of ​​all new shoots. As the trunk grows stronger over time, the sapling will eventually be able to stand on its own and you can remove the stick.

Summary Raising a money tree to a high trunk:

• Use young plants that are one to two years old
• Choose a strong, thick trunk
• Completely cut all leaves and shoots on the trunk in the lower area
• Support the sapling with a stick
• Regularly trim the shoot tips in the upper area
• Regularly remove new shoots from the lower area

Raise money tree to bonsai

If you would like to try growing a bonsai yourself, the frugal money tree is the ideal place to start. Cut yours Crassula ovata regularly, you get a mini version of it. A young head cutting is best suited for this project. Along the trunk, all side shoots that should not form the crown of the tree are removed up to just before the trunk. For the crown, you can shorten the branches enough to create a dense and full shape. In order to maintain the typical bonsai shape, superfluous branches must now be cut out regularly. If you cut cleanly and continuously, you can determine the shape of the bonsai well. It is important to always shorten the branches when they have more than ten pairs of leaves. If you want to achieve a particularly upright growth, it is advisable not to steer the shoots with wire, but rather to tie them up.

Summary Growing money tree to bonsai:

• Use head cutting
• Remove lower side shoots
• Shorten above all branches by a third
• Cut out excess branches regularly
• Continuously always shorten branches with ten pairs of leaves

Proper pruning is of course not all that needs to be considered when caring for your money tree. Find out in our special article on Care of the money tree everything you should know about the topic.