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Pachira aquatica

Accession Count: 0
Common Name: Malabar chestnut, money tree
Family Name: Malvaceae
Botanical Name: Pachira aquatica
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Characteristics: Pachira aquatica is a broadleaf evergreen with a rounded, spreading canopy that occupies a low or high form (1, 2). In the wild, Malabar chestnuts can grow up to 60 feet tall, but only reach 30 feet in cultivation. Houseplants, however, do not exceed 6-8 feet, especially if grown as a bonsai (1). P. aquatica possesses furrowed, dark brown to gray bark with a swollen caudex, which serves as a water reservoir (2, 3). The trunk is straight, low branching, and flexible, allowing multiple trunks to be braided together to create the species’ signature appearance (3, 4). The green leaves are lanceolate, palmate, and compound, usually consisting of 5-9 leaflets (1, 2, 5). Seasonally, but at a higher rate in spring, P. aquatica will develop large, showy yellowish-white flowers with five cream colored petals surrounding 200-250 long, red-tipped stamens (1, 2, 6). The fragrant flowers resemble banana-peels, and will bloom only for a single day before perishing. Following will occur the fruits, which are a green, oval capsule that possess five interior chambers, developing into a woody brown pod when ripe, and emitting the edible brown nuts (seeds) (1, 5).
Compound: Pac aqu
Geographic Origin: Central and South America
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Natural History: P. aquatica was named by the French botanist and pharmacist Jean Baptiste Christophe Fusée Aublet, who included it within Histoire des Plantes de la Guiane Françoise 2: 726-727, (1775) ( 7). The genus, Pachira, originates from Indigenous Guyana, and means “sweet water nut”, for the tree’s delicious fruits (8). The specific epithet, aquatica, is an inflection of the Latin aquāticus, translating as “to grow near or within water”, for the species’ natural habitat (1, 9). Pachira aquatica is native to the freshwater swamps, estuaries, and riverbanks of tropical rainforests, being found from Southern Mexico to Bolivia and North Brazil (1, 10). It occupies sparsely vegetated, marshy, swampy, clay, or sandy environments, but prefers to grow where rivers often overflow or in damp mountain forests (8, 11). While the species is not considered invasive in America, it has been introduced to numerous tropical and subtropical countries as an ornamental – including the USA, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Overall, the Malabar chestnut is considered a high risk of introduction, but rarely escapes cultivation. It is only invasive in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and the Federated States of Micronesia (10).
P. aquatica was first popularized in Taiwan during the 1980s, due to its value in Feng Shui, considered a harbinger of positive energy (Chi) and prosperity to the home. As a result, the species is most famously known as the “money tree”, originating from a tale in which an impoverished man acquired wealth through selling the edible nuts (1). The species’ trunks were first braided by a Taiwanese truck driver who sought to “lock in” luck and fortune, and the resulting form has been valued world-wide within offices, banks, homes, and other dwellings (8, 12).
Cultivation Notes: The Malabar chestnut is only hardy to USDA zones 9b to 11 (25-40°F) and is frost tender – plant indoors in colder environments (13, 14). However, a temperature of 65-75°F is preferred, and high humidity should be provided. Place indoor plants on a wet pebble tray to increase humidity in dry environments (15). At the same time, trees will thrive when planted within a rich substrate, such as a peat-moss based potting mix with added perlite, loam, or sand (12, 16). Ensure that soil remains moist, but not saturated with water, and maintain a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 (12). If growing outdoors, the naturally marshy environment must be replicated – site beside a stream or river, or in an area that receives frequent irrigation, but that also possesses good drainage (12). Good drainage is essential, as being allowed to remain in standing water will cause root-rot (5). Despite this, moderate irrigation should be provided, and the soil should be kept moist. Water both indoor and outdoor plants about once a week, allowing the trunk to fully saturate with water and the soil to dry in between waterings, taking care not to wet the stem directly (5). Reduce watering during the winter months to allow the trees to rest (15).
P. aquatica thrives under indirect sun, even flourishing under fluorescent lights. However, do not expose to direct sun, and avoid relocating once established, in order to prevent leaf-scorch and leaf drop (5, 16). When sited outdoors, the Malabar chestnut benefits from locations that receive both mixed sunlight and shade, and that are protected from heavy winds (16).
Ornamentally, P. aquatica can also be grown as a bonsai, which will require less fertilization than regular houseplants. Fertilize bonsai two or three times each year, and other plants every two weeks in spring and summer, during the growing season (5). If braided stems are desired, they must be entwined while the trees are young and pliable (12).
When given proper care, the Malabar chestnut will live between 50 and 150 years (2). Propagation is possible through softwood cuttings, air layering, and seed, which should be sown outside during fall (13). However, stem cuttings and air layering are the most popular methods of reproduction, as P. aquatica will only bloom after 4-5 years, and will not flower indoors or when braided (11, 15, 17). Although more difficult to acquire, seeds will have a germination rate of nearly 100%, and will sprout within only 5-10 days (11). Stem cuttings should be taken in spring or summer, but may take longer to root – dip in rooting hormone powder to ensure growth (5, 16).
Ethnobotany: The Malabar chestnut is most famously known for its cultural value as the “money plant”, utilized within Feng Shui to bring good energy, fortune, and luck to a home (5, 12). Both bonsai and full-length P. aquatica are valued due to their inclusion of the Chinese lucky number 5, possessing approximately 5 leaflets per leaf, 5 petaled flowers, and capsules with 5 chambers. At the same time, the leaves are considered to resemble “green hands” that capture happiness and fortune, while the interlocking trunks store the prosperity for future use, becoming a valuable addition to domestic and professional dwellings. The positive energy will be the strongest when five trunks are intertwined, or when five plants are placed within a single red pot (8). In Japan, the color red is often associated with Malabar chestnuts, which are usually adorned in red decorations and ribbons (12). Considered capable of scaring away evil spirits and offering protection, associating P. aquatica with red adornments or pots further increases its spiritual benefits (12, 18, 19). However, the species remains the most popular in Taiwan, where sales of P. aquatica brought 7 million dollars in revenue to the agricultural export economy (5, 12).
Despite its cultural value, the Malabar chestnut is also extensively utilized in cooking. When consumed raw, the seed of P. aquatica has the flavor of  peanuts, but develops the flavor of chestnuts or cocoa once roasted (11).  As a result, the seed can be used as a replacement for cocoa, and has often been ground into bread flour or used to create beverages (1, 11, 20). However, there is conflicting information as to the potential toxicity of seeds, with some sources citing containment of cyclopropenoic fatty acids, which are possibly toxic and carcinogenic (20). Yet, it is generally considered safe to consume the young leaves and flowers, which can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable (11).
Medicinally, P. aquatica is used to treat hepatitis, stomach complaints, headaches, anemia, high blood pressure, fatigue, and as an anesthetic (11, 20). At the same time, a tisane from the boiled bark can become a blood tonic, while a cold water infusion of the crushed leaves can treat burning skin (11). The Malabar chestnut has also been used to create a variety of goods, including soap from the oil within seeds, and a fiber for caulking boats and cordage, extracted from the bark. The bark has been used to create both a yellow and red dye, but the wood is soft and possesses low durability, only being used in the production of low quality goods such as paper. Among its other uses, P. aquatica is considered an indoor detoxifying plant, and is capable of removing ethyl benzene and formaldehyde from the air (20). The last value of the Malabar chestnut is as an insecticide, with the fruit being spread along the ground as a deterrent to sand fleas (11).
Height: 16 - 20 feet
Width: 16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Spring
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Cream
Function: Shade
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Tender
Water Use: Moderate Water Use
Citations:
  1. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  2. Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  3. Bonsai Empire. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  4. SF Gate. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  5. Plant Lust. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  6. Trees. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  7. Tropicos. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  8. The Joy of Plants. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  9. WordSense. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  10. Invasive Species Compendium. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  11. Useful Tropical Ferns. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  12. Epic Gardening. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  13. Dave’s Garden. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  14. Gardening. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  15. Houseplant411. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  16. Guide to Houseplants. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  17. House Plants Expert. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  18. Japan Travel. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  19. Kokoro Media. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
  20. Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved February 19th, 2021.
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Pachira aquatica