How to grow Money tree

Pachira aquatica · Pachira, Guiana chestnut

A tropical tree sold as a houseplant, often with several trunks braided together, with glossy leaves divided into five to nine leaflets. In feng shui it is believed to bring good fortune.

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Family	Malvaceae
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 10 °C
Where it grows	At home

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 8 days	18…24 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 194 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 14 days	15…24 °C	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright light or partial shade, out of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Soil

Open, free-draining potting mix, for example peat with perlite, loam or sand. It must never stand in water.

Care

Keep the compost evenly, moderately moist and water less in winter; the plant drops leaves if the soil dries out, while standing water rots the roots, so empty the saucer after watering. Feed with a liquid houseplant fertiliser once a month from spring to early autumn. Cut back shoots in spring if the plant gets too big. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Pests and diseases of Money tree

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.