Money Tree (Pachira) Care: Watering, Pruning, Propagation

[ГОЛОВНЕ ФОТО (прев’ю): пахіра з плетеним стовбуром у кашпо]

Pachira is a tropical tree with a braided trunk and hand-shaped leaves, often sold as the 'money tree'. It grows slowly, copes with dry indoor air and looks great in an office or living room. Here is how it differs from the jade plant, how to keep it from dropping leaves, how to water its swollen trunk and how braided pachiras are formed.

More on this topic: houseplants: names and care, plants that symbolise wealth, rubber plant.

What pachira is

Pachira aquatica grows in swampy tropical forests of Central and South America and reaches 15–20 m in the wild. Its seeds are edible, earning it the name Malabar chestnut.

Indoors it grows to 1–2 m. The swollen base of the trunk stores water, so it shrugs off a missed watering.

The braid isn't natural: growers plant several young trees together and plait them while the stems are flexible.

Pachira is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

[фото: пахіра з плетеним стовбуром у світлій вітальні]

Pachira care

Light: bright and indirect; a little morning or evening sun helps. In shade it gets leggy.

Water when the top 3–4 cm is dry, around the edge of the pot, not on the trunk; less in winter. Overwatering is the main cause of trunk rot.

Temperature: 18–25 °C, 16–18 °C in winter. Draughts and cold glass cause leaf drop.

Humidity: copes with normal room air but appreciates misting in the heating season.

Feeding: monthly, April to September, with foliage-plant fertiliser.

Repot every 2–3 years in spring into a small, well-drained pot; see how to repot a houseplant.

[фото: полив пахіри по краю горщика]

Pruning and propagation

In spring shorten leggy shoots above a leaf; side branches will follow and the crown thickens.

Root 10–15 cm tips with 2–3 leaves in water or damp sand under a bag; roots appear in 3–6 weeks.

Cuttings won't develop the swollen bottle trunk; that only forms on seed-grown plants.

Pachira in feng shui and as a gift

In East Asia pachira symbolises money and luck: its five leaflets are linked to the five elements and the braided trunk to 'locked-in' prosperity.

That's why it's a popular gift for a business opening, housewarming or promotion. More such plants: plants that symbolise wealth.

[фото: пахіра в подарунковому горщику на відкриття офісу]

Why pachira drops leaves

• Moved, newly bought or chilled: stress; give it 2–3 weeks.
• Soft trunk and yellow leaves: overwatering and rot; repot into dry mix and trim rotten roots.
• Brown leaf edges: dry air or draughts.
• Pests and spots: see why houseplants get sick.

A living plant as a gift

Looking for a living gift that lasts for months? A potted orchid is a great choice for home or office.

View full-size photo

See houseplants and orchids.

View full-size photo

FAQ

Is pachira the money tree?

Yes, internationally; in Ukraine 'money tree' usually means the jade plant.

How often should I water pachira?

When the top 3–4 cm is dry: about weekly in summer, every 2–3 weeks in winter.

Why is my pachira trunk soft?

Overwatering has rotted roots and trunk; repot and water less.

Is pachira toxic to cats?

No, it's considered pet-safe.

View full-size photo

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.