Getting to Know the Chinese Money Tree
A “money tree” is actually multiple Pachira aquatica trees braided together during growth. Pachira aquatica is a broadleaf evergreen native to Central and South America and has many common names including Good Luck Tree, Malabar chestnut, Guiana Chestnut, French Peanut, Saba Nut, Monguba, Pumpo, Provision Tree, and Wild Kapok Tree.
In the wild, Chinese Money Trees can grow up to 60 feet tall. A braided Money Tree plant can grow from anywhere between one and eight feet tall.
One might expect that the symbolism of the money tree goes back centuries. In reality, the first modern Money Tree was cultivated in Taiwan as a bonsai by a truck driver in the 1980s! It quickly became a symbol of prosperity and highly sought after by Feng Shui practitioners. Now, Money Trees are grown in a variety of forms, including smaller Mini Money Trees, larger Money Trees, and multiple Money Tree plants grown together in the same pot aka the Money Tree Forest.
 
Symbolism and Feng Shui of The Money Tree
A legend was born along with the cultivation of the Money Tree:
A man who was down on his luck prayed for prosperity, and soon discovered the money tree and took it home. He soon realized that from its seeds he could cultivate many more trees. He made a business selling these beautiful trees to others and made his fortune.
That is why the Money Tree is a popular gift in East Asian culture — in business as well as personal affairs.
In Feng Shui, there are several plants that can be used to promote abundance, but the Money Tree is favorable in many ways.
The braided trunk of the Chinese Money Tree is said to be able to trap fortune within its folds. The five leaves typically found on a stalk are said to represent the five elements of balance: earth, fire, water, wind, and metal. Finding a stalk with seven leaves is incredibly rare and also said to bring immense luck to the owner.
In terms of placement, many businesses keep a Mini Money Tree near their cash register for good fortune. Within the home, the most common placement to promote wealth is in the southeast corner.
Money Trees Help Refresh Your Home
Along with its status as a luck magnet, Money Tree plants are incredibly easy to care for. They only require indirect light and infrequent watering, making for a no-fuss plant for beginners.
The money tree is also highly rated as an air purifier for your home. A famous NASA study of indoor plants on air quality lists Pachira aquatica as one of the most effective filters of harmful pollutants.
The icing on the cake is that money trees are ASPCA-certified pet-friendly for your furry friends. However, while it is non-toxic, it can cause digestive upset if consumed in large volumes.