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The Bountiful History of the Braided Money Tree
The Braided Money Tree, or Pachira aquatica, is deeply beloved for its dazzling reputation for bringing good luck and prosperity to its owner. From its intriguingly braided trunk to the way it seems to pop up at thriving businesses, the Money Tree feels like a vibrant mystery worth solving. Naturally, our curiosity ran wild, and we took a deep dive into the rich history of this storied plant.
At Léon & George, our master gardeners have spent nearly a decade growing premium plants and helping thousands of plant parents nationwide bring good energy into their homes.
It All Begins With a Legend
According to legend, the history of the Braided Money Tree was rooted many centuries ago, when a Taiwanese farmer in dire financial straits found a stray Pachira growing in his field. Taken by its beauty, he tried his hand at growing more plants from that Pachira's seeds, hoping others would be similarly enthralled. And they were. The Pachira became wildly popular across Taiwan, and the farmer grew prosperous from his crops. That is why he started calling them Money Trees.
The Grounded Version
The legend may be just that, a legend, but we know some things for sure. The Pachira has long been a popular ornamental tree, especially in Japan, where bonsai practitioners have treasured them for years as vivid, semi-aquatic mini trees. We also know the telltale braid gained traction in the 1980s, the era when the Braided Money Tree expanded internationally as exports of the Pachira stretched far and wide.
The Story Behind the Braid
Feng shui practitioners adore the Pachira's elegant braided trunk, often suggesting placement in the wealth or health areas of the home. With its iconic twist of five trunks, it conjures the five elements of feng shui in harmony: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. There is intriguing ambiguity about who originated the practice of braiding the trunks (yes, they are braided by hand). Some accounts credit early bonsai practitioners in Japan; others credit a Taiwanese gardener named Liu, who discovered that starting the braid early in the Pachira's growth lets it continue that pattern on its own, resulting in a full, condensed canopy and an aesthetically pleasing tree shape.
The Significance of the Braided Money Tree
The Braided Money Tree has symbolized prosperity since its first cultivation. It is believed to bring wealth, fulfillment, and overall security, and is emblematic of good luck. So when you gift one, to yourself or a loved one, remember: you are giving a plant that, according to legend, lifted its original farmer from despair to a position of fortune, comfort, and positivity. Lucky indeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a Money Tree?
According to legend, a poor Taiwanese farmer found a Pachira aquatica in his field, propagated it, and grew prosperous selling the plants, so he named them Money Trees. The plant has symbolized wealth and good fortune ever since.
Why are Money Tree trunks braided?
The five trunks are braided by hand while the plant is young. In feng shui the five-trunk braid represents the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) in harmony, and the technique also creates the plant's full, sculptural canopy.
Is the Money Tree good for feng shui?
Yes. The Braided Money Tree is one of the most recommended plants in feng shui, traditionally placed in the wealth or health areas of a home to invite prosperity and positive energy.
What is the scientific name of the Money Tree?
The Braided Money Tree is Pachira aquatica, a semi-aquatic tropical tree long prized as an ornamental and bonsai specimen, especially in Japan and Taiwan.
Where should I place a Money Tree in my home?
Feng shui tradition favors the wealth or health corners, but Money Trees are adaptable. They thrive in medium to bright indirect light, so any well-lit spot away from harsh direct sun works beautifully.