Money tree
Pachira aquatica · Malvaceae
📷 Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around money tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Pachira aquatica
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Origin
- French Guiana and tropical South America
- Foliage
- Evergreen, composed of 5 to 9 leaflets
- Flowering
- Spring (March to May), cream flowers with red stamens
- Adult size
- 2.5 m indoors, more in optimal conditions
- Growth
- Moderate to fast in warm conditions
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, min. 10-12 °C
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Pachira in temperate climates (minimum 10°C) must be grown in a pot and overwintered in a heated greenhouse or bright indoor space. Water moderately even in summer, letting it dry out between waterings.
The common mistake
Keeping it too dry year-round or overwatering it in winter: it will drop leaves and stems.
The pro's trick
Braid young stems together when they reach 30 cm: they'll gradually fuse and create an original trunk.
Care
Watering
Water regularly in spring and summer, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged. In autumn and winter, space out waterings and let the soil dry slightly between applications. Avoid hard water; prefer rainwater or filtered water. Excess moisture can cause root rot.
Light exposure
Place your Guiana chestnut in bright, indirect light near a window without harsh direct sun. It tolerates partial shade but grows more vigorously with more light. Avoid cold drafts and keep it away from direct heat sources.
Substrate and soil
Use rich, well-draining potting mix made from universal potting soil mixed with perlite or expanded clay pellets. Soil that's too compact promotes rot. Repot in spring every 2-3 years or when roots emerge from drainage holes.
Fertilizer and nutrition
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks from spring to autumn with diluted balanced fertilizer. Reduce or stop fertilizing in winter. An annual application of well-decomposed compost enriches the substrate naturally.
Pruning and training
Pruning is not essential but you can do it in spring to encourage branching. Remove dead or weak wood. Pachira aquatica tolerates pruning well and regrows vigorously.
Diseases and pests
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs in dry conditions. Improve humidity through regular misting. Root rot and yellowing leaves generally indicate overwatering or prolonged cold; adjust your watering routine accordingly.
Ambient humidity
Although well-suited to indoors, this plant appreciates moderate to high humidity. Mist the foliage regularly or place the pot on a bed of wet pebbles to increase local humidity, especially during winter heating.
Did you know?
Pachira aquatica is famous in Asian feng shui where it's called the 'Money Tree' or 'tree of prosperity'. Its braided trunk with multiple stems spiraled together symbolizes wealth and good fortune, making it a highly prized ornamental plant throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Its elongated fruits and seeds are actually consumed locally in South America, earning it the nickname of chestnut tree.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.