Hi everyone. I am new here. My name is Amanda, and I don't really have a green thumb.

My friend gave me this money tree in November 2015 when she moved and I've been (trying) to take care of it since. As you can see, it was thriving when she gave it to me - the two pictures where it is thriving were taken in November 2015 and November 2016. The picture where it looks like it's failing is current.

After reading several posts, I think it needs to be placed in a bigger pot with fresh soil (it hasn't been changed since it was given to me though I have added to it). I definitely don't over-water - I am probably leaning on the side of negligence.

It has sat in front of that window since I got it.

The problem I am having is, instead of generating new leaves, the branches have been staying bare and it looks like it's been stripped. Yet there are leaves at the top?

Any help would be appreciated in reviving this tree.

Money Tree (Pachira aquatica), only have leaves at the top of the branches. That said, it could be bushier. Have you been fertilizing? What direction does that window face? Are you watering to keep the rootball moist?

This window faces north. I have never used a fertilizer but I am prepared to start. It gets watered once a week now - before that I was watering every two weeks - definitely under-watered.

Fertilize using the package frequency but cut it down to about 1/4 strength. Water to keep the root ball moist, but not soggy. And move it to a sunnier location.

Repotting may help - soil wears out.

Prune! Prune! Prune! Your plant looks healthy. However, Money Trees are rather weedy and in reduced indoor light, they tend to grow tall and lose older leaves resulting in a leggy, leaning plant. More light helps to a limited extent. However, once they have lost lower leaves, pruning back the leggy stems is the only solution.

New growth will emerge on a stem just below where you make the pruning cut. I suggest that you prune back the one or two leggiest stems to a point where the shorter stems still have foliage. In time, you will see new foliage emerge and that will encourage you to prune back some more.

A larger pot and fertilizer will not help, although improved light will help somewhat.