Money Tree

The Money Tree, Pachira aquatica, is a tropical wetland tree widely sold as an indoor plant with several young trunks braided together and topped by glossy, palm-like leaves. In feng shui it is considered a bringer of luck and wealth, which drives its popularity as a gift.

It is undemanding and grows steadily in bright indirect light. While it can become a large tree in the wild, indoor specimens stay compact and tidy, and it is safe for homes with pets and children.

Recognize it by a braided trunk and palmate leaves with five or more leaflets radiating from a central point.

• Leaves: palmately compound, glossy green, usually 5 to 7 leaflets like a hand
• Trunk: often braided from several supple young stems
• Habit: upright; 1 to 2 m indoors, much larger outdoors
• Flowers and fruit: showy flowers with long stamens and large seed pods on mature outdoor trees (rare indoors)

Give bright indirect light and rotate it occasionally for even growth.

• Water: when the top inch of soil dries; despite its swampy origins, indoor plants rot if kept soggy
• Soil: well-draining potting mix
• Humidity: moderate to high preferred
• Temperature: 18 to 27 C; keep above 10 C
• Feeding: balanced fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
• Propagation: from seed or stem cuttings

Native to the swamps and wetlands of Central and South America, from Mexico to northern Brazil, where it grows along riverbanks and floodplains, tolerating wet feet. It is now cultivated worldwide as a houseplant and gift plant, especially across East and Southeast Asia for its prosperity symbolism.

Grown as an ornamental and symbolic feng shui plant believed to attract good fortune. In its native range the seeds are edible roasted or ground, and the tree is grown for them (it is also called Malabar chestnut). Indoors it is valued as an easy, non-toxic, pet-safe statement plant.