Money Tree
Pachira aquatica
📖 About this plant
The Money Tree (Guiana Chestnut) is a popular indoor plant with a distinctive braided trunk and palmate, glossy green leaves. In feng shui tradition, it is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy — especially when placed near the entrance or in the wealth corner. The braided trunks are created by nursery growers weaving multiple young stems together. A forgiving, attractive plant.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Medium indirect (4-6 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate (40-60%)
18-30°C
Well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix (pH 6.0-7.0); standard potting soil with added perlite and peat moss
Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer; withhold in winter
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Central and South America — wetland and swamp regions from Mexico to Brazil, particularly in the Amazon basin
- 📏 Max height
- 90-180 cm (3-6 ft indoors; up to 18 m in native swamp habitat)
- 📐 Spread
- 60-120 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Rarely indoors
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets — considered one of the safest houseplants for homes with children and animals
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem cuttings (15-20 cm) rooted in water or moist potting mix; seeds (nick seed coat before soaking); braided trunks are trained from young saplings
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets — considered one of the safest houseplants for homes with children and animals
Common issues
- Yellowing lower leaves from overwatering, Brown, crispy leaf edges from dry air or underwatering, Leaf drop from cold drafts or sudden temperature changes, Root rot from poorly draining soil, Mealybugs in leaf axils, Twisted or distorted new growth from over-fertilizing
💡 Care tips
- Braided trunk symbolizes prosperity and good fortune in feng shui,Tolerates low light and irregular watering schedules,Can be grown in water alone or transferred to soil,Non-toxic and completely safe for cats and dogs
