Pachira — the money tree with a braided trunk

Pachira aquatica, nicknamed the money tree or Guiana chestnut, is one of the most recognisable houseplants: a trunk often braided in a spiral, topped with a crown of glossy green palmate leaves with five leaflets. Native to the wetlands of Central and South America, it is said to attract prosperity, poses no danger to children or pets and easily forgives missed waterings.

The braided trunk, a sculptural signature

The braiding is done in the nursery: several young plants with still-supple stems are intertwined, then fuse as they grow to form a single sculpted base. The braided-trunk Pachira aquatica comes in four sizes, from H35 cm for a desk to H120 cm (Ø24 cm pot), which stands on the floor like a true living-room tree; the largest sizes are among our large XXL plants. Never unbraid the trunk: the fused stems now form a single solid structure.

Multi-stem: the look of a small tree

The multi-stem Pachira aquatica (H55 cm, Ø17 cm pot) brings several trunks together in one pot for a fuller silhouette, like a small tropical tree. An ideal mid-size format to dress a corner of the living room or a console table.

Ready-to-gift versions

Pachira is also available at H45 cm, already planted in a black ceramic pot or a woven basket: no repotting, no cover pot to find, it is ready to display or to give. A symbol of success and abundance, it is one of the most popular plant gifts for a housewarming, a business opening or a new job, among our ready-to-gift plants.

A good-luck plant

In Asia, Pachira is associated with luck and prosperity: its leaflets grouped in fives are said to evoke the five elements of feng shui. It is often placed in an entrance, an office or a workspace to attract success. It holds a prominent place among good-luck plants and feng shui plants, and its clean silhouette makes it an ideal companion among plants for working from home.

Position and care

Pachira likes bright but indirect light: an east- or west-facing window, or two metres from a south-facing window with a sheer curtain. Direct sun scorches its leaflets, while a room that is too dark thins out the crown. Its fleshy roots store water: let the top three centimetres of compost dry out before watering and always empty the saucer; the finger test method is the most reliable. It prefers 18 to 26 °C and dislikes cold draughts, the main cause of leaf drop; it recovers if you act quickly after a cold snap. A quarter turn of the pot every fortnight keeps the crown balanced.

Non-toxic for children and pets

Pachira aquatica is non-toxic to people as well as cats and dogs: it can find its place in a child's bedroom or a living room shared with curious pets. It is one of the most decorative cat-safe plants.

Decorating with Pachira

Sculpted trunk and compact crown: Pachira gives structure to a room without taking it over. In a dark matte cover pot it looks like an exhibited object; in a natural-fibre basket, the weave of the container echoes the braid of the trunk. Our elegant pots and cover pots let you match each size to your interior.