The money tree plant (Pachira aquatica) is a large tree. Also called the Malabar chestnut, it is often grown indoors in containers. The container keeps it at a manageable size. Native to Central and South America, the plant is traditionally thought to bring good fortune to its owner. It is from this belief that it earned its common name of the "money tree" plant.
According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the belief that this plant will bring good fortune comes from an old story that states that a poor man became wealthy when he found the tree and started selling its seeds, which are edible. The young, tender leaves and flowers are cooked and eaten like vegetables, but it is the seeds -- which taste a bit like peanuts -- that are so desirable. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and can also be ground into flour.
Appearance and Size
Indoor plants are often sold with braided trunks. The leaves are long, ovate and have 5 to 9 leaflets. Houseplants grow to a maximum height of about 8 feet. Trees planted in home or urban landscapes grow to a maximum height of about 30 feet. Money tree plants found in the wild have been known to reach heights of 60 feet or more. The flowers are quite showy -- they feature five white petals surrounding a large, thick cluster of stamens. The 4-inch-long stamens are red-tipped and may number 200 or more in a single flower. The seed pods are about the size and shape of a football.
Pachira aquatica plants, as the species name implies, thrive in wet conditions. Outdoors, they are found growing in swamps and along wet stream beds. The trees need consistent moisture, so home gardeners should water them enough to keep the soil wet, or plant them in low-lying areas that are frequently flooded. Locations sheltered from strong winds are best. Money tree plants grow equally well in full sun or in part shade, and can even tolerate close to full shade, according to Missouri Botanical Garden. As frost-sensitive plants, they only thrive outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12.
Money tree plants grown indoors in containers need bright light and evenly moist soil. The soil should be well draining, which can be achieved by cultivating the plant in a pot that has drainage holes in the base. If the plant starts dropping its leaves, it is a sign that the soil is too dry.
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