Pachira aquatica

Pachira aquatica is sometimes referred to as the Money Tree because it is believed to deliver good luck and fortune to the home in which it is nurtured.

Description
Miniature Pachira aquatica plants, which are used as bonsai trees, have a distinctive long, thin trunk that is made up of intertwined stems that are plaited together. Each branch sports five big, bright green leaves. In the wild, Pachira aquatica barely resembles its houseplant relation and grows into huge trees with great flowers.

Habitat
They are found naturally along lake shores and estuaries in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America and Mexico. They will grow quickly in wet weather and develop thick buttresses. Even when used in landscaping they can grow to around thirty feet.

Availability
The plants can be grown from seed fairly easily but can also be bought in pots. It’s generally sold as three plaited stems that form a single trunk and is available all year round.

Species
Pachira aquatica is from the subfamily Bombacoideae, part of the family Malvacea.

Care Tips
The plant needs plenty of light to thrive and does like some direct sunlight, but do keep it away from the scorching summer sun at midday. The species’ name references its native wetland and aquatic habitats, yet it is still tolerant of occasional dry periods, as long as this doesn’t occur in direct sunlight. Water the plant freely in its active summer period for the best growth and then reduce the amount and regularity of watering in winter. Pachira aquatica is also tolerant to pruning, so you can keep it compact. If left alone, it will grow into the size of a small tree.

Did You Know?
In the wild, Pachira aquatica has large red flowers of up to 35 cm in size which rise above the leaves like feathers and produce edible multi-seeded fruits that taste like chestnuts. Unfortunately these don’t appear on houseplant versions.

The tree is cultivated for its nuts, which taste like peanuts and can be cooked and ground into a flour or eaten raw. The flowers and leaves are also edible.

References
http://www.houseofplants.co.uk/Pachira_aquatica.htm
http://www.plantcreations.com/pachira_aquatica.htm
http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus_body&genus_id=290