Saba, also known as money tree or Pachira aquatica, is an easy-to-maintain indoor plant and is usually sold with intertwined stems. Saba beans do not require special care, but there are a few things you should do to keep the plant healthy and green.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Choosing a Good Place for Saba Beans
Step 1. Place the plant in a place that gets indirect sunlight
A bright spot that doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight is good for saba beans. Keep the saba beans out of the window if they are exposed to direct sunlight every day. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and kill them.
- A stand in the living room or on a dressing table in the bedroom can be a great choice for placing saba beans as long as the plant is not exposed to much direct sunlight.
- Rotate the plant each time it is watered. This step helps to ensure even growth of stems and leaves in all directions.
Step 2. Keep the saba beans away from extreme heat and cold
Extreme temperatures can shock the plant and die. Find a place away from heat and air conditioning vents. Do not place saba beans near windows or doors if the cold gusts are strong. Ideally, this plant should be placed in a place with a temperature of 16 – 24° C.
Step 3. Choose a place that has at least 50% humidity
Saba beans need a lot of moisture to survive. If you live in a dry climate and are concerned about the humidity level being too low, use a humidifier near the saba beans. Have an indoor humidity monitor so you can see how humid the room is where the saba beans are placed.
Step 4. Increase the humidity level if the saba beans appear dry
Dry, fallen leaves are a sign that the plant is not getting enough moisture. If you already have a humidifier, run it for a long time or buy a second humidifier. Make sure the saba beans are not placed near hot vents which can dry out the air.
Watering saba beans with more water won't help improve the dryness of the air, it will make the problem worse by rotting roots or yellowing leaves
Method 2 of 4: Watering Saba Beans
Step 1. Water the saba beans when the top 2.5–5 cm of soil is dry
Do not water the plant if the soil is still wet. If the plant is watered too much, the roots will rot. To check if the soil is dry enough, gently dig up the soil with your fingers. If 2.5–5 cm of soil feels dry, water the saba beans.
Step 2. Water the saba beans until the water drains out of the drainage holes
Once the water drains into the tray under the pot, stop watering. Make sure you water the plant until the water runs out, otherwise the saba beans won't get as much water as they need.
Step 3. Discard the water that has accumulated on the tray after you have finished flushing
That way, the saba beans are not placed in stagnant water because the roots can rot. After watering, wait a few minutes for all the remaining water to drain out of the drainage holes onto the tray. Then, lift the pot and take the tray of water under it. Empty the tray and return it to its original place under the plant pot.
Step 4. Reduce the frequency of watering during winter
Saba beans do not grow rapidly in winter because there is not much sun. Because it does not grow rapidly, so the plant does not need too much water. If the soil appears dry in winter, wait another 2-3 days before watering again. Water again regularly after spring arrives.
Method 3 of 4: Pruning and Shaping Saba Beans
Step 1. Prune the dead and damaged leaves using cutting shears
Pruning will make the plant look healthy and green. Dead leaves will turn brown and wither, while damaged leaves will appear torn or have broken stems. If any of the leaves are dead or damaged, cut them at the base using cutting shears.
If you prefer to leave dead or damaged leaves, that's fine. However, the plant will not look as healthy as it was pruned
Step 2. Shape the saba nut with the cutting shears
To shape the saba bean, observe the plant and imagine the outline of the shape you want. Then, notice the shoots sticking out of the imaginary line. Take the cutting shears and prune the shoots. When cutting shoots, cut right after the leaf buds.
Most saba beans are round, but you can shape them into squares or triangles if you prefer
Step 3. Prune saba beans in spring and summer to keep them small (optional)
If you want the plant to grow big, don't prune it. To prune saba beans, use cutting shears and cut off unwanted shoots just above the leaf knuckle at the base of the shoot.
Method 4 of 4: Fertilizing and Replacing a Pot of Saba Beans
Step 1. Fertilize saba beans 3-4 times a year
Saba beans grow rapidly during the spring and summer, and seasonal fertilization will help the plant to grow healthy. Use a liquid fertilizer and reduce the dose to half of what is recommended on the label. Stop fertilizing in late summer. Saba beans do not need fertilizer after the growth period because their growth will slow down and the plant requires only a small amount of nutrients.
Reduce the dose of liquid fertilizer by half. The recommended dose on the fertilizer package is the maximum amount intended for plants that grow in perfect conditions. Giving a full dose will make the plant excess nutrients and can cause negative side effects
Step 2. Plant saba beans in relatively small pots
A pot that is too large will hold a lot of soil and moisture which can lead to root rot. When you are about to move the saba beans into a new pot, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the previous one.
Step 3. Choose a pot that has drainage holes
Drainage holes allow residual water to drain out of the pot, into the tray below. Saba beans are susceptible to root rot caused by excess water. So, the pot of saba beans should have plenty of drainage holes. When buying a pot, look at the bottom. If the pot doesn't have drainage holes, find another one.
Step 4. Plant the saba beans in a soil mixture that dries quickly and holds moisture
Choose a ready-to-use soil mix for bonsai or make your own using peat moss-based materials. Add sand or other organic matter to the soil and moss mixture. Peat moss will help retain moisture, and sand or perlite will help facilitate drainage.
Step 5. Replace the pot of saba every 2-3 years
To transplant saba beans into a new pot, carefully dig up the roots and soil from the old pot. Dig at the edge of the pot so that the root tissue is not damaged. Then, put the saba beans in a new pot and add soil to fill in the empty space.
