Pachira

( pah - KYE - ruh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of tropical trees, commonly known as Money Tree or Money Plant, is native to Central and South America, Africa and India. They are well-known and commonly gifted indoor houseplants in temperate areas of the globe, widely prized in Feng Shui for attracting prosperity and good fortune. Pachira trees can reach up to over 60 feet tall in their native environments, but reach up to 3 to 8 feet tall cultivated indoors. In the wild, they produce fragrant yellow-white flowers followed by woody seed pods that contain edible nuts. Use these tropicals in rain gardens, along waterways, or in low-lying areas of the landscape with poor drainage.

Pachira Species and Varietals

The genus Pachira includes 77 species, and is a member of the plant family Malvaceae. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Ceiba (Kapok Tree) and Adansonia (Baobab). These trees can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12, and are grown as indoor or greenhouse specimens otherwise. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Pachira aquatica (Money Tree, Money Plant, Malabar Chestnut, French Peanut, Guiana Chestnut, Provision Tree, Saba Nut, Monguba, Pumpo)
This species is native to Central and South America where it grows in swamplands and wetlands (hence the specific epithet aquatica). These trees are sometimes sold at nurseries with a braided trunk, and are commonly grown as houseplants when young, though there is much confusion in this use between this species and a very similar one, Pachira glabra. Grown in their natural settings, these trees can reach up to 60 feet tall. Leaves are shiny and dark green. White flowers have petals tipped with red and bark is woody and grey. Cultivars include 'Milky Way' (with green leaves speckled with cream flecks, streaks, and markings), 'Aurea' (with golden-yellow splashes and mottling), 'Alba' (with bright white variegation), and 'Mini' (a dwarf form topping out around 12-18 inches tall).

Pachira glabra (Bombax glabrum) (Guinea Peanut, French Peanut, Saba Nut, Money Tree, Lucky Tree)
These trees are commonly confused with (and sold erroneously as) Pachira aquatica, and are commonly cultivated as houseplants when young. Leaves are dark green, and trunk is greenish-grey. Flowers are all white. In their native environment, these trees can reach upwards of between 30 and 60 feet tall.

Pachira quinata (Pochote)
This species is native to dry forest areas in Central and South America. It produces a tree with stubby thorns on its trunk, and are often planted for use as living fenceposts with barbed wire strung in between them for security measures. It is grown commercially in Colombia, where it is used as a lumber material for guitar-making, wood-crafting and furniture construction.

Caring for Pachira

These trees should be planted in a spot in the garden that gets filtered, dappled sunlight (full to partial shade). Direct midday sun will scorch foliage; morning sun is alright. Situate plants in a space that is protected from drying winds and keeps a humidity of between 60 and 90 percent. They thrive in soils that are well-draining with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5, and can survive in a variety of soils as long as they are rich in organic matter. Mulch around the base of the tree after installation, ensuring that it stays a few inches away from the trunk. Water young trees regularly to establish a deep root system. Soil should be kept consistently moist, especially during the active growing and flowering seasons. Mature trees require moist soil at all times. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Young trees should be protected from cool temperatures using burlap or frost cloth. Prune trees only to remove dead, damaged or diseased plant parts. Otherwise, these trees are best left to their own devices. The life span of Pachira trees varies depending on where they are grown. In tropical areas that are similar to their native habitat, they can live for between 30 and 50 years.

Caring for Pachira in Containers
Pachira, or Money Trees, are typically grown in the ground in tropical regions, but can also be cultivated in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. A good size pot for Pachira is between 16 and 24 inches wide. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, these trees appreciate consistently moist soil. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Pachira trees grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. If outdoor temperatures will drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, move the container into an area where the tree will be protected from cold damage.

Caring for Pachira Indoors
Place Money Trees in an area that gets bright indirect light and protection from direct afternoon sun. Foliage will scorch if left in direct sun for too long. They prefer a temperature of between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and can tolerate occasional drops in temperature, though they will struggle if heat stays below 55 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. Ensure that soil is well-draining, and includes ingredients like perlite, sand, and peat moss. Water plants thoroughly when the top inch or two of soil dries out, and allow excess water to drain away. These plants don't need to be repotted frequently, and actually perform well with slightly crowded roots. Repot every 2-3 years or when the plant's roots are growing through the bottom of the pot. Use a slightly larger pot with good drainage. Remove dead, damaged, or yellowing foliage as necessary to maintain a tidy appearance. As indoor houseplants, Pachira trees typically survive for between 10 and 15 years.

Propagation

Pachira, or Money Tree, can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, and that most indoor and container-grown Pachira will not flower or produce seed pods. To propagate your Money Tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Pachira by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Pachira by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them. Remove any remaining silk from seeds before planting.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.