Why are the leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sunlight?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its lush green foliage.

Plant guide

Money Tree.

Pachira aquatica

Pronounced pah-KEE-ruh ah-KWA-ti-kuh

Also known as Guiana-Chestnut, Malabar Chestnut, Malabar chestnut, French peanut, Guiana chestnut, Provision tree, Saba nut, Malabar-chestnut

provision tree — Photo by Filipi Miranda Soares (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The money tree is a popular indoor plant known for its braided trunk and palm like leaves. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is often associated with good luck. You will find it makes a great statement piece for your home or office.

Another photo of Money Tree — Photo by Martín Sánchez Vilchis (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical evergreen tree
Light: Bright indirect light is best.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Up to 2 meters indoors.
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves as a sign of overwatering or drooping leaves if it needs more hydration. It prefers stable temperatures away from cold drafts or heating vents.

Watering: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems in early spring to encourage bushier growth.
Repotting: Repot every few years when the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Well-draining peat-based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades in ideal conditions.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans, though ingestion of large quantities of plant material is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is safe for children, but the large, heavy pots can be a tipping hazard if not secured.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The seeds are edible when roasted or fried but should not be consumed raw due to potential anti-nutritional factors.

How to identify it

Braided trunk often with multiple stems
Palmately compound leaves with five leaflets
Shiny, dark green foliage
Large, showy flowers with long stamens

Height: 1.8 to 6m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, yellowish, 15 to 25cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Reduce watering during the cooler months when growth slows down.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, but ensure the pot has drainage holes and is large enough to support the root system.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 15 centimeter cutting from a healthy, non-flowering stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
3. Place the cutting in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
4. Cover with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity.
5. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group plants with similar water needs to make managing soil moisture easier.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns — Ferns provide a lush, tropical understory that complements the tree's structure.

Similar species

Guiana Chestnut — It is very similar in appearance but has slightly different fruit characteristics.

Science

Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Pachira
Order: Malvales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and South America
Conservation: This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in swampy, riparian environments where it can tolerate periodic flooding.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths, bats
Uses: ornamental houseplant, edible seeds, bonsai subject

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 8/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves turning yellow?: Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering or poor drainage.
Does it need direct sunlight?: It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its lush green foliage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pachira comes from a local Guyanese name, while aquatica refers to its natural habitat in wetlands.

Good to know

It is commonly called the money tree because of a legend about a poor man who became wealthy after growing it.
In its native habitat, it grows in swamps and can reach heights of 18 meters.
The flowers are quite spectacular, featuring long, thread-like stamens that look like a shaving brush.

Keep your money tree growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.