Pachira Money Tree, Guiana Chestnut

Money tree, also commonly referred to Guiana chestnut, is a species of tree native to Central and South America that has become an attractive houseplant thanks to its hardy nature. First popularized as a houseplant in Taiwan during the 1980s, the money tree is prominent among those who practice feng shui and is believed to create positive “chi,” or energy, in the home. This alone has made it a staple in offices, banks, and homes alike.

Money trees are most commonly sold as small plants with a braided trunk made up of three, five, or seven stems. The trees are braided by nurseries when they are young and will continue to grow this way as they mature. Rarely are they started at home from seed, but if you do plan to plant the tree outdoors, you should start it from seed in the spring. The trees will grow quickly indoors or outdoors, often adding up to 24 inches a year in height.

Although they can grow up to 60 feet in the wild, money trees kept indoors will typically only grow between 6 and 8 feet tall and can also be trained as a bonsai if you prefer to keep it small. The key to growing a money tree indoors is giving it the right amount of light and water. The good news is that it's difficult to overwater money trees, which makes them ideal for people who have a tendency to kill their plants with too much TLC.

Light: Outdoors, money trees can tolerate direct sunlight, but indoors they should be placed in bright to medium indirect light, for at least six hours a day. They will also do well under fluorescent light.

Watering: Money trees should be watered regularly, each time the top inch of soil is dry. Typically they will require more frequent watering in the spring and summer months and should be watered less frequently in the fall and winter. While money trees thrive with lots of water, be careful not to overwater them, as doing so can quickly kill them. The best way to avoid overwatering your plant is to ensure that the potting container and the soil have the proper drainage.

Be mindful plant will arrive in a black plastic pot. Terracotta planter is not included, but can be purchased separately ( See our planter collection ).