Overview
Money Tree Bonsai (Pachira aquatica) is a tropical tree often sold with braided trunks, palmate leaves and a soft green canopy. It is best suited to decorative indoor bonsai, informal upright and group-style displays. For UK growers, treat it as: Indoor in the UK.
Placement
bright indirect light with some gentle sun; avoid hot glass and cold draughts
Watering
water thoroughly then allow the upper soil to dry slightly; avoid soggy soil around the fleshy roots
Feeding and fertilising
feed lightly during spring and summer
Pruning and wiring
prune back long shoots to encourage branching; large leaves can be reduced with strong light and controlled growth
Repotting
repot every 2-3 years in spring
Propagation
seed or cuttings in warm conditions
Pests, diseases and common issues
yellow leaves from overwatering, dry leaf edges, scale and mealybug