Question
hi, my money plant is looking a bit disheveled. i ve had the plant since it was only 2 leaves old. it had to be given to a friend for some time until i had a suitable home to give it. it is now 1 1/2 ft tall and there are 4 trunks coming out from the soil. the thing is, it is shedding many healthy looking leaves and the pot it is in is too big for the space i have for it. it needs to be put into a smaller pot and it needs to be tidied up.
how should i proceed and whats best to maintain the plant afterwards.

Answer
Marc,

Because of the short days of winter this is not a good time to repot your tree. If you are going to repot your tree you need to be prepared to then keep a 100 watt flourescent light 6 inches above the tree turned on for 14 hours a day so the plants roots have a chance to recuperate. You will have to carefully remove it from the pot and remove the soil from the roots without damaging any more roots than absolutely necessary. For soil in the new smaller pot I reccommend using a good quality potting soil and adding 1 part of perlite (little white pellets you can get at any garden center that sells potting soil) to 2 parts of potting soil. The perlite will lighten the soil and give it more airspaces so the roots of your plants will have more air spaces and the will recuperate from repottting faster. Firm the new soil around the roots of the plant. Water it well and 30 minutes later empty the drain tray under the plant. Set the plant under the flourescent light and enjoy your tree. Good luck.

Darlene