---
title: "I needed some advice on how to keep this guy alive and thriving. This…"
description: "I needed some advice on how to keep this guy alive and thriving. This will be my 3rd money tree. The other 2 died. They would be thriving and then boom. There…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/Ozshsg1gPcoB35TTBJHcB2"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Tellie"
published: "2025-08-10T19:29:19.853151Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Z2B7kTs6ufIy2O5NurADba3zGv2JQOTvYvXGk_Uw430/BXqpwPHPSqGJ-UJfrYTO9A.webp?size=large"
---

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# I needed some advice on how to keep this guy alive and thriving. This…

_Posted by Tellie on 2025-08-10_

I needed some advice on how to keep this guy alive and thriving. This will be my 3rd money tree. The other 2 died. They would be thriving and then boom. There would be fungus gnats and then die. Soul recommendations? How often do you water? Fertilizer? Anything helps.

Thank you in advance

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Z2B7kTs6ufIy2O5NurADba3zGv2JQOTvYvXGk_Uw430/BXqpwPHPSqGJ-UJfrYTO9A.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### Maria M commented on 2025-08-10

The top soil must be dry, and make sure it gets indirect light

#### Tellie replied on 2025-08-10

What kind of soil should I use?

### Just a person commented on 2025-08-10

Try to make sure the soil is dry in between waterings so fungus doesn’t grow; fungus gnats eat the fungus in the moist soil. Consider getting yellow sticky traps or something to catch the gnats before they can lay more eggs.

### Nan commented on 2025-08-12

You could also bake your soil before using it. I have to do this for my orchids all the time to avoid mealy.

#### Tellie replied on 2025-08-13

I had no idea you could do this.

### Nan commented on 2025-08-14

I’ve had too many experiences with bugs and got tired of it:/ I found when I baked the soil it got rid of the pests the best.  
I do not like using chemicals or things like cinnamon to kill pests as it can also damage the roots, soil, and leafs of the plant.

#### Tellie replied on 2025-08-14

Yes I learned this with the previous one. The only pests I have had is the fungus gnats. I’ve tried most of what everyone has said on here in the pests problems. Nothing has helped. Neem oil seems to have attracted more. When I used it a few years ago.

#### Nan replied on 2025-08-14

Thank you for letting me know for the neem oil.  
Once your plant is stabilized in its environment after iso (in about 6 months) start putting diluted rice water (soak your rice in plain water, drain it. Then add 1/2 of distilled and 1/2 of your rice water.) it’ll make the plant grow like crazy!

### Nan commented on 2025-08-14

Yeah, I did a mealy treatment on my money tree because it was exposed… I used alcohol on it (as recommended), it basically killed all the leaves as is still in recovery:/  
My heart breaks when my plants fall

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