Pachira

( pah - KYE - ruh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of tropical trees is native to Central and South America, Africa and India. 

Pachira Species and Varietals

The genus Pachira includes 77 species, and is a member of the plant family Malvaceae. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

​Pachira aqutica (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.

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 Microsorum

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Colocasia plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:​
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For more information on these problems, including how to correct them, see the following links.
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Gallery
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

Learn about these interesting houseplants.
An educational video about Cast-Iron Plant.

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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