Pachira aquatica Maintenance & Care Checklist
1. Plant Family Overview: Pachira aquatica
Commonly known as the Money Tree. The Pachira is a popular office plant, often grown with a braided trunk. It brings a touch of softness and "good fortune" to corporate spaces.
However, it is frequently killed by overwatering, as its thick trunk stores water, meaning it needs less than most people think.
Appearance: Recognisable by its shiny, hand-shaped (palmate) leaves with 5–7 leaflets and often a braided or twisted woody trunk.
Common Varieties: Pachira aquatica is the main species found in offices, ranging from small desk-top pots to large floor-standing braided trees.
Office Characteristics: Adds a tropical, canopy-like feel without taking up too much floor width. It is considered a symbol of financial luck in Feng Shui, making it popular in finance and executive suites.
Key Sensitivities: Extremely sensitive to standing water. It originates from swamps but in a pot, "wet feet" will rapidly rot the trunk. Also sensitive to sudden temperature drops.
2. Ideal Conditions
Light: Bright to medium indirect light.
Target: 1.5 to 3 metres from a window.
Tolerance: Can adapt to fluorescent office lighting but prefers natural light. Avoid direct, harsh midday sun which scorches leaves.
Temperature: Consistent warmth.
Ideal: 18°C – 26°C.
Limit: Never below 12°C. Cold drafts (e.g., near lobby doors) will cause shock and leaf drop.
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity (50%+).
Note: In dry winter offices, leaf edges may brown.
Water Quality: Tepid (room temperature) water. If possible, let tap water sit in an open container overnight to allow chlorine to evaporate.
Potting Mix: (soil plants) Free-draining mix (peat-free soil with sand or perlite).
Feeding: Light feeder. Liquid fertiliser during active growth only.
3. Weekly / Fortnightly Maintenance Checklist
Perform these tasks on a consistent day (e.g. every Wednesday).
Watering Check: (The "Squeeze & Probe" Test)
The trunk stores water, so soil should dry out significantly.
Insert a finger into the soil up to the second knuckle (approx. 3–5 cm deep), or use a moisture meter.
Action:
If soil is damp/cool: DO NOT WATER. Check again next week.
If soil is dry/dusty: Add water.
Quantity: Moderate. Approx. 10% of pot volume. Ensure water runs through the bottom, then stop.
Trunk Check: Occasionally gently squeeze the base of the trunk. It should be rock hard. If it feels soft or squishy, stop watering immediately.
HydroCare Plants: Leave for 7-10 days on minimum before topping up, never go above optimum on the water level indicator.
Cleaning:
Dust: The broad leaves catch dust. Wipe gently with a damp cloth, feather duster or dust gloves.
Debris: Pick up any yellow dropped leaves from the soil surface to prevent fungal growth.
Positioning & Environment:
Airflow: Ensure the plant is not directly in the path of an AC vent. The thin leaves will dry out and curl.
Stability: Top-heavy trees may need checking to ensure they aren't leaning dangerously and in need of a repot.
Quick Health Scan:
Scan for Yellowing: A few lower leaves yellowing is normal aging. Many yellow leaves all over indicates a problem (usually overwatering).
Scan for Sticky Residue: Look for sticky "honeydew" on leaves or floor, a sign of pests.
4. Monthly / Bi-Monthly Tasks
Fertilising (Feed):
When: April to August.
What: Soil Plants; General-purpose liquid houseplant food. HydroCare Plants; Hydroponic liquid plant food.
Frequency: Once every 6–8 weeks. Do not overfeed.
Rotation:
Rotate the pot 90° (quarter turn) monthly. Pachira grows quickly toward light; failure to rotate results in a "leaning tower" look.
Pruning:
If the tree gets too tall or messy, you can pinch off the very tips of new growth to encourage bushiness.
Remove dead/brown leaves with clean scissors.
5. Seasonal Adjustments
Spring / Summer (Active Growth)
Watering: Water when the top 3-4 cm of soil is dry. Likely once every 7–10 days depending on office heat.
Growth: New leaves appear rapidly. They start small and light green.
Autumn / Winter (Dormancy)
Watering: Reduce significantly.
Frequency: Likely once every 3–4 weeks.
Risk: Overwatering in winter is the fastest way to kill a Pachira.
Humidity: If office air is very dry (heating on), mist the leaves lightly once a week or place a tray of water near the radiator (not under the plant).
6. What NOT to Do
Don't leave standing water in the liner/saucer (soil plants). "Wet feet" kills Money Trees.
Don't place near an entrance door where freezing winter drafts will hit it.
Don't braid the trunks tighter yourself; this can strangle the sap flow.
Don't move the plant constantly. Pachira dislikes change and may drop leaves in protest (Shock).
Don't use cold tap water in winter; use room temperature water.
7. Red Flags & Early Warning Signs
Use this troubleshooting guide to catch and treat issues.
Yellowing leaves (widespread)
Overwatering / Root Rot
Stop watering. Let it dry out completely.
Leaf drop (green leaves)
Shock (Drafts or Move)
Check for cold drafts or recent moves.
Crispy brown edges
Dry air / Underwatering
Mist leaves. Check soil moisture.
Soft / Squishy trunk
Advanced Rot (Fatal)
Replace. Isolate plant.
Pale / Bleached leaves
Direct Sunburn
Move further from window.
Mould on soil surface
Soil too wet / No airflow
Scrape off mould. Water less.