A Bonsai tree is not the same as a Money Tree, though confusion between the two is widespread in the houseplant world. The primary distinction is that “Money Tree” refers to a specific tropical plant species, while “Bonsai” describes a horticultural practice or art form. The Money Tree is a member of the mallow family, scientifically classified as a species that can grow quite large in its native habitat. Bonsai is a technique used to cultivate any suitable tree species, including the Money Tree itself, into a miniature form.
The Identity of the Money Tree
The plant commonly known as the Money Tree is botanically identified as Pachira aquatica, a species native to the freshwater swamps and riverbanks of Central and South America. In its natural environment, this evergreen tree can reach heights of up to 60 feet, but it remains a manageable houseplant when container-grown. It is also known by other names, such as Guiana Chestnut and Malabar Chestnut, due to its large, edible nut-like seeds.
The plant’s popularity stems largely from its association with prosperity and good fortune, particularly in the practice of Feng Shui. The name “Money Tree” is believed to originate from a story about a poor man who found the unique plant and then made a fortune selling plants grown from its seeds. For the houseplant trade, the young trunks are often meticulously braided by growers, a practice that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, further enhancing its distinctive appearance and symbolic appeal.
The Art and Technique of Bonsai
Bonsai is not a species of tree but a centuries-old Japanese art form that translates literally to “planted in a container.” This practice involves cultivating trees and shrubs to keep them small and shaped to resemble aged, full-sized trees in nature. The core of the technique relies on specialized horticultural methods to achieve this miniaturization and aesthetic form.
These methods include careful root restriction, precise pruning of the trunk and branches, and the use of wire to guide the direction of growth. The art can be applied to virtually any woody-stemmed tree or shrub species, provided the plant can withstand the intensive training process. Common choices include pine, maple, and juniper, but the flexibility of the technique means a Pachira aquatica can also be trained using bonsai principles.
Distinguishing Appearance and Care Requirements
The most immediate visual difference lies in the foliage. The standard Money Tree features glossy, palmate leaves, meaning they resemble an open hand with five to nine distinct leaflets. Traditional bonsai specimens, such as those made from pines or maples, require naturally small leaves or the use of techniques like defoliation to reduce leaf size, ensuring the foliage remains in proportion to the miniature trunk. A Pachira aquatica trained as a bonsai will still retain its distinctive leaf shape, making it visually distinct from many other bonsai styles.
Caring for a standard Pachira aquatica is generally simpler than maintaining a true bonsai. The Money Tree is a tropical wetland species that thrives in warm, humid conditions and bright, indirect light. It requires watering only when the top inch of soil is dry, and it is notably tolerant of occasional underwatering, though it is vulnerable to root rot if left in standing water.
Conversely, most true bonsai specimens demand an intensive and unforgiving watering regimen, often needing daily attention and specific soil mixes to ensure both drainage and moisture retention. The confusion often arises because the Pachira aquatica is a species that tolerates the root restriction and pruning of bonsai training relatively well, making it one of the easier plants to find labeled as a “Bonsai Money Tree” in the houseplant market. The specialized care demanded by a meticulously sculpted, aged bonsai specimen is far more rigorous than the routine maintenance required for the average potted Money Tree.