Money Tree

Money Tree

A tropical favorite featuring glossy green foliage and a distinctive, elegant silhouette.

Pachira aquatica

Bring fresh greenery and tropical charm to your space with the Money Tree. Known for its hand-shaped leaves and attractive woody stems, Pachira aquatica adds height, texture, and a welcoming touch to indoor spaces.

Often grown with braided trunks, this popular houseplant makes a beautiful accent for homes, offices, and decorative containers.

Ideal For

Bright indoor spaces, living rooms, offices, entryways, decorative containers, and sheltered patios in warm weather.

🌿 Plant Features

Botanical Name: Pachira aquatica
Common Name: Money Tree, Guiana Chestnut, Malabar Chestnut
Plant Type: Tropical evergreen tree; commonly grown as a houseplant
Mature Height: Typically 3–6 ft indoors; can become a large tree outdoors in tropical conditions
Mature Spread: Varies with container size, pruning, and growing conditions
Growth Habit: Upright with a leafy, spreading canopy; often sold with braided trunks
Flower Color: Cream to yellowish-white with long, red-tipped stamens
Foliage: Glossy green leaves divided into several elongated leaflets
Growth Rate: Fast under favorable tropical conditions; slower indoors
Florida Native: No
USDA Zones: Approximately 10–12 for outdoor planting
Blooming: Rare indoors; mature outdoor trees may produce large, showy flowers. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

💧 Care & Maintenance Guide

Light:
Performs best in bright, indirect light. Avoid sudden exposure to strong direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

Watering:
Water thoroughly, then allow the potting mix to partially dry before watering again. Empty collected water from saucers or decorative pots.

Soil:
Use a loose, well-draining houseplant mix and a container with drainage holes.

Temperature:
Prefers temperatures around 65–85°F. Protect from frost, cold drafts, and direct airflow from heating or cooling vents.

Fertilization:
Apply a balanced houseplant fertilizer at a diluted rate during active spring and summer growth, following the product label.

Pruning:
Remove dead or damaged foliage as needed. Shape in spring by trimming shoots above a leaf node. Avoid cutting into braided trunk sections.

Spacing:
Give container plants enough room for their leaves to spread freely. Outdoor trees require substantially more space than indoor specimens. libguides.nybg.org

🌺 Flowering Tip

Money Trees are primarily enjoyed for their foliage and trunk structure. Indoor plants rarely flower, so an absence of blooms is normal. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Common Issues

Overwatering and standing water can cause root rot. Leaf drop may follow changes in location, drafts, or root disturbance. Watch for scale, mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

📦 What You’ll Receive

A Money Tree — Pachira aquatica in the container size selected.

Height, fullness, leaf count, and trunk appearance vary naturally from plant to plant. Braided or natural trunk form should match the product option selected.

💡 Acclimation Tip

Choose a warm spot with bright, filtered light and allow the plant time to settle. Avoid frequent moves or immediate repotting unless necessary. Some temporary leaf drop can occur after a change in environment. libguides.nybg.org

⚠️ Safety Note

The ASPCA lists Pachira aquatica as non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, chewing or swallowing plant material can still cause digestive upset. Keep plants away from pets and children who may chew on them. ASPCA

Landscape Use

Use Money Tree as a decorative container accent or indoor focal point. Outdoor planting is best suited to warm, frost-free locations with protection from strong winds and enough space for a full-sized tree. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox