Money trees are works of the Pachira genus , but there are two like species sold with braid trunks . Both Pachira aquatica and P. glabra are very similar but have more or less dissimilar requirement in cultivation . Money tree are sold as bonsais with five plant in a pot with their tree trunk braided together . They are believed to bring in right luck to a home or situation of business and are now wide used in fung shui design . The pachira money trees should not be jumble with the money plant life Crassula ovata , also known as the jade flora .
Description
In the state of nature both Pachira species are enceinte trees that get to 60 feet in height . They have smooth trunks that remain gullible even when the Tree are fledged . The shiny compound or palmate leave have five lance - shaped leaflets , each about 10 in long . Money tree diagram flowers are attractive with long , silky stamens and white petals . P. aquatica has ruddy stamen while P. glabra has all lily-white blossom , although neither is likely to flower if develop in bay window . The brown fruits are 8 column inch long and check up to 25 nut - like , eatable cum 2 inches across . It is hard to distinguish between the two species without seeing the prime , but P. aquatica has foliage veins growing out horizontally from the midvein and more rounded leaf tips , while P. glabra has fish leaf veins and pointed leaves .
Range
Both specie are from tropic Central and South America from Mexico down to Brazil . They are produce as expectant trees in both Hawaii and southern California .
Habitat
P. aquatica grows in swamps and wetland as well as estuary and can grow in areas where its solution are submerge for long periods . P. glabra spring up in lowland tropical forests and knit where it is rarely subjected to flooding .
Cultivation
Most money tree amount as bonsai pot plants and should be treated like other bonsais . They require well drain soil , frequent watering and bright but collateral brightness level . P. aquatica will permit water logging and even expand with its stem for good in water , while P. glabra take better drainage and less water . With the two species being so exchangeable , finding the best conditions for your plant is often a type of trial and mistake . If the leaves on your plant develop brown edges , then increase the frequence of watering . If the leave change by reversal yellow , then foreshorten the absolute frequency of watering . It is best to stray on the side of under watering at first , as both metal money can suffer from root and stem rot if over irrigate . irrigate your money tree when the surface of the soil is wry . Both species will permit temperatures down to 28 degrees F for short period but are well treated as rime - tender plants .
Uses
Money trees are low maintenance houseplants and are often used in office and base as feature of speech pot plants . They can be kept outdoors during the warmer months and even planted in the garden in USDA Zones 9 and above . In fung shui doctrine , the five leaflet and five pleach trunk are said to typify the five elements : woods , body of water , earth , fervor and metallic element . A money tree should be placed in the north west corner of a home or office to promote prosperity .
