The plant commonly known as the Money Tree is botanically identified as Pachira aquatica, a species of tropical wetland tree. This popular houseplant earned its name from a long-standing cultural association with financial prosperity and good luck, particularly in East Asian traditions. Understanding the Money Tree requires separating the botanical facts from the rich symbolism that has made it a fixture in homes and offices globally.
Identifying the Real Money Tree
The Money Tree is the species Pachira aquatica, a broadleaf evergreen native to the tropical wetlands of Central and South America. In its natural habitat, spanning from Mexico down to northern South America, it thrives near rivers and swamps. While it can reach 60 feet in the wild, it typically remains six to eight feet when grown as an indoor houseplant.
The plant features glossy, green, palmately compound foliage. Each leaf cluster usually has five to nine leaflets, with five being the most common number on cultivated plants. The bark is smooth when young, becoming brown-gray as the tree matures.
The most recognizable characteristic of the cultivated houseplant is its braided trunk, which is not natural to the species. This ornamental look is created by intertwining the pliable stems of multiple young trees, which fuse together as they grow.
The Cultural Basis for the Name
The name “Money Tree” stems from a Taiwanese legend and its connection to Feng Shui principles. The legend describes a poor farmer who discovered the Pachira aquatica after praying for wealth. He began cultivating and selling the saplings, attributing his fortune to the plant’s abundance.
This association was solidified in the 1980s when a truck driver popularized braiding the stems, creating the ornamental houseplant. In Feng Shui, the Money Tree is valued for attracting positive energy (“chi”) and financial abundance.
The leaf count of five leaflets is symbolic, representing the five fundamental elements of Feng Shui: wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. The braided trunk symbolizes the binding of wealth. Finding a rare leaf with six or seven leaflets is considered an omen of immense good fortune.
Essential Care for a Thriving Houseplant
To keep a Money Tree healthy indoors, provide bright, indirect light for at least six hours daily. Avoid direct, intense sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
Watering requires a balanced approach; the plant tolerates both moist conditions and periods of dryness. Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems, leading to root rot.
The Money Tree thrives in a well-draining potting mix. Standard room temperatures (65°F to 85°F) are suitable. Pruning is necessary to maintain the plant’s shape and encourage fuller growth by pinching out the growing tips.