How to encourage lower growth

matt.thurman

Hello. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions to encourage lower / new growth on this plant or how best to prune it without killing it. Image below...



It’s a cheap plant we got from ikea nearly 15 years ago! So it has some sentimental value. Not entirely sure what it is - maybe a money tree? All it does it get taller and taller - is there any way to encourage growth lower down? Or how it could be trimmed back a bit?

Thanks in advance!

Papi Jo

Whatever it is (Ikeatus incognita? ) it's probably too late to do anything to make it more bushy. 

BobTheGardener

I think it may be Pachira aquatica which are often sold with several stems trained together.  If so, this looks like good advice:

https://laidbackgardener.blog/2017/03/27/the-money-tree-doesnt-age-gracefully/

Papi Jo

BobTheGardener said:

I think it may be Pachira aquatica which are often sold with several stems trained together.  If so, this looks like good advice:

https://laidbackgardener.blog/2017/03/27/the-money-tree-doesnt-age-gracefully/

Spot on.

Obelixx

Have you ever moved it to a new pot and/or refreshed the compost it's in?  Fed it? 

Maybe plant it in a larger pot with another plant such as difffenbachia or even a spider plant to disguise its bare legs and don't forget to feed occasionally between waterings. 

matt.thurman

Thanks a lot for the replies. That advice from the laid back gardener looks very helpful. 

I have repotted a couple of times. Haven’t fed for a while though so will do so!