Types

• From houseplants to landscaping trees, there are 24 species of the Pachira aquatica or money tree. Certain varieties of money trees are native to the wetlands in Central America, but there are also varieties of this plant that originated in Asia. Because of its 5 lobed leaves, in clusters of seven, they are considered lucky by people who practice feng shui. Hence the name, "money tree."
  
  

Geography

• Money Trees are suitable for USDA Zones 9 to 11 if grown out of doors. They can be grown indoors as a house plant as long as they receive adequate light and proper care.
  
  

Features

• Money Tree Blossom
  
  One of the unique features of the Pachira aquatica houseplant that is the braided or twisted trunk. This is accomplished by planting more than one young pachira aquatica in a pot and shaping the trunks as the plants grow. The elongated palmate leaves of this plant are evergreen. If the money tree is planted outdoors, only 1 plant will come in the store or nursery container. When mature, the landscape money tree produces long flower pods that opens into blossoms resembling delicate sprays or fans in white, near white, copper or pink hues. The leaves, flowers and nuts of the money tree are edible.
  
  

Size

• Both as a houseplant and as a landscaping tree, the money tree is a large plant. As a houseplant, mature money trees grow from 10 to 15 feet tall. Outdoor varieties of Pachira aquatica can grow upwards to 75 feet tall.
  
  

Considerations

• The first consideration when growing money trees, whether indoors or outside, is selecting a location that has enough room for the mature plant. When planting outdoors, select a location that gets sun to partial shade. It requires average watering. When planting indoors, choose a pot that is larger than the root ball of the money tree and has drainage holes and a saucer. Mix a light potting soil with sand and fill the pot half way full. Remove the money tree from its store container and place into the pot. Finish filling the pot with potting soil/sand mixture and tamp it down gently to settle the soil. Wait to water the money tree until it has been moved to its final location, to avoid sloshing water out of the sauce, money trees need plenty of sunlight, but keep the plant out of direct light during hot months to avoid burning the leaves. Water thoroughly to remove air bubbles and settle the soil. Water the money tree regularly, about 2 to 3 times a month, but do not over water and do not allow water to sit in the pot's saucer. Lightly mist the money tree once a week to maintain humidity.