Braided Money Tree Plant

I'm sure you've heard the saying "money doesn't grow on trees", but did you realize there actually is a money tree?

Pachira aquatica is commercially sold under the name money tree. According to Wikipedia, the name comes from a story of its origin, where a poor man prayed for money. Instead of finding money, he stumbled upon the odd looking plant and decided it was an omen. He found his money by selling the plants that he then grew from its seeds.

The Pachira aquatica is a native tree in Central and South America. It thrives in swampy areas and is sometimes known as a Malabar chestnut or Guiana chestnut tree. It can grow almost 60 feet tall in the wild. The woody pod resembles a pecan, but tastes similar to a peanut.

In the mid-80s a Taiwan man took five small money trees and placed them in a single pot and braided their trunks together. This ornamental style took off in Japan and eastern Asia. They have now become a symbol of financial fortune. They are often given to businesses as a wish for prosperity and good luck.

What a unique way to wish someone good luck and financial prosperity. Consider giving them a braided money tree. They are inexpensive and create a nice conversational piece. Although I've never owned one, they seem to be easy to care for from what I've read. The way I see it, it sure can't hurt in these tough economic times.