How to Care for a Pachira Money Tree
The pachira money tree is popular for feng shui projects and is an excellent plant for both indoor and outdoor growth. This plant can range from a few inches in height to over seven feet tall. It originated in Japan and consists of several trunks wound together with green leaves sprouting from the top. The leaves grow in bunches of five in a pattern often compared to the human hand. These five leaves are said to symbolize the five elements of feng shui: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Another story associated with the pachira money tree tells of a man whose prayers for money were answered with this unique plant. Upon taking the plant home, the man discovered he could grow several pachira trees from the seeds and became rich from selling the plants. It is from this story that the plant was given its nickname: the "money tree".
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Put your plant in an appropriately-sized pot. If you intend to keep a small money tree, this can be a medium-sized flower pot. If you want your tree to reach a height of several feet, put it in a larger planter.
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2
Mix river sand in with the soil. This will help with the drainage. Pachira money trees need only moderately moist soil.
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3
Place in an area of moderate sunlight. These plants can survive with varying degrees of sunlight, but do best with a few hours of sunlight and a few hours of shade. If your plant experiences too much full sunlight, the leaves may begin to burn.
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4
Prune the leaves to encourage growth. If you want new leaves to sprout, or obtained a wilting plant, prune off the browning leaves.
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5
Water once a week. The soil should be moist, but not wet. Your money tree doesn't need to be watered more than once a week.
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Tips & Warnings
The trunks of the money tree can be twisted or braided. With careful maintenance, you can direct the growth of your plant in a style that is most pleasing to you.
The pachira money tree is a very hardy plant. If you notice problems, they are likely due to over watering or too much full sunlight.
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Comments
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I just received a Pachira money tree (Not positive what specific kind) and it came in a small pot with rocks on top that are glued together. Very strange to me. I can not see or feel the soil so I'm not sure how to water. Or how to re-pot. Any Advise.
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Great article. I bought one about a month ago and it's doing well. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything else I should be doing. I realize I had to rotate it so that all the little leaves could benefit from the light. I'm really enjoying it and I am happy to learn about its meaning.
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I left my Pachira plant outside in the sun too long and all the leaves turned white, should I cut them off? What should I do?
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My leaves are turning brown & dropping off. I water it once a week & it is in a new pot & new soil. Is it dying? Can you bury too much of the root HELP I don't want it to die!
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I once had a plant that did that and was nearly to the point of dying. I took it out of the pot, hosed down the roots, put it back in a new pot with new dirt and it got well.
