What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Braided Money Tree
So you’ve got your heart set on a Braided Money Tree. With a fluttering canopy and beautifully textured, plaited trunk, there is no question that this indoor tropical variety has what you’re looking for from a gorgeous statement plant. But as you would with any living plant, you want to do your research to ensure that you’re informed of everything you need to know before bringing your new Braided Money Tree home. It’s what we’d do, too! That’s why we’ve created this simple guide of all that you need to know before you buy a Braided Money Tree. So read on- a green new beginning awaits!
Just what is a Braided Money Tree?
The classic Braided Money Tree is actually a Pachira aquatica plant. Pachira aquaticas are tropical, wetland trees that are native to Central and South America. (This may come as a surprise,as they’re such a standout in the feng shui tradition, but they’ve been exported worldwide for many decades!)
So Braided Money Trees are tropical- do they need a ton of water?
We’re so glad you asked, and no! Braided Money Trees do not require frequent watering. In their natural habitat, they experience both droughts and floods. The key to replicating this indoors is to water your Braided Money Tree only when its soil is dry: specifically, its top two inches of soil. As you prepare for your Braided Money Tree, plan on gauging its soil weekly by sticking your finger two inches down into it. Water your Braided Money Tree only when those top two inches of soil are entirely dry to the touch. You can also use a moisture meter to demystify your Pachira’s watering regime. These simple tools just need to be inserted into the plant’s soil until only their window is visible. The color of the core inside the window will change according with the soil’s moisture level: a blue window means that the soil is moist, whereas a white window means that the soil is dry and ready for water.
Braided Money Trees are non-toxic
If you’re looking for a non-toxic plant friend, we have great news: Braided Money Trees are entirely safe for both children and pets. (And in fact, anyone that might be tempted to chew on a plant!) Braided Money Trees are even recommended for plant parents with allergies or asthma, due to their air purifying properties.
Braided Money Trees are air purifying superstars
That’s right- more great news! Braided Money Trees have been scientifically proven to be potent air purifiers. How do they do it? In a nutshell, Braided Money Trees are capable of absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene from the air in indoor environments, as well as converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. They even produce oxygen at night, whereas most plants do so only during the day, as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
Braided Money Trees are flexible and can adjust to varied light
You’re going to love this: when it comes to light requirements, Braided Money Trees are among the most flexible, easy-going indoor plant varieties on the market. They do not need tons of bright light, and in fact, should be kept at least a few feet away from windows that receive strong, direct rays. Beyond that, they simply appreciate what light they can get. So relish the opportunity to bring a laid-back Pachira home and place it wherever you see fit. As long as it’s not placed in scorching sun or a spot that’s as dark as a dungeon, your Braided Money Tree should adjust perfectly well.
Your Braided Money Tree has a (good!) reputation
There’s a reason that Braided Money Trees are feng shui approved for workspaces, businesses and homes alike: they come with a reputation for all sorts of good fortune! From a boost of luck to connotations with prosperity and wealth overall, the Braided Money Tree is legendary for its positive powers. Pachiras are an incredibly popular gift for this very reason, but there’s no reason that you can’t gift some of that good fortune to yourself, as well!
Braided Money Trees love to be misted
This is true of many tropical indoor plants, but it is worth noting that any Braided Money Tree will appreciate a thorough misting. Because they’re native to environments with a high degree of natural humidity, Braided Money Trees will grow best with a consistent misting routing, to boost the humidity levels in their immediate vicinity within your home. But not to worry- there’s no complicated procedure required here! You can simply mist your Braided Money Tree 1-3 times a week, either with regular, room-temperature water, or with water supplemented with a gentle foliar feed, like Potion Magique.
What’s the story behind the Braided Money Tree’s trunk?
The Braided Money Tree’s plaited trunk is its most famous feature, and it all comes back to their legendary reputation for bringing good fortune. Most Braided Money Trees have a center comprised of five braided trunks, and that quantity of five is symbolic: it is representative of the five elements of feng shui in balance. (In case you’re wondering, those elements are wood, water, metal, fire and earth.) The balanced braid of the Pachira is thought to capture good luck and wealth in its plait. Some believe that Braided Money Trees are only lucky if they contain five trunks in their braid, but un-braided Pachiras can be beautiful as well! And of course, this plant does not grow in a braid formation in the wild, so there’s no reason to discount a lovely Pachira just because it does not have the trademark five-trunked braid: after all, they’re still potent air purifiers and gorgeous, non-toxic plants!
How to select a thriving, gorgeous Braided Money Tree
When you shop for your new Braided Money Tree, look for a plant that has evenly colored, vibrantly green foliage without extensive discoloration (no yellowing or browning) and without patches that appear to be dry or unusually soft. Study the Pachira’s braid and ensure that all trunks are sprouting green growth. A healthy Braided Money Tree will be perky and upright, with a healthy-looking canopy and shades of green on its trunks. Additionally, the plant’s trunks should be firm, not spongy or dry. Dry, spongy trunks are indicative of health issues that can result in the trunk being unable to generate new stems and leaves.
Avoid purchasing your Braided Money Tree from a garden center
You’ve put so much love and effort into learning about Braided Money Trees and knowing how to pick the perfect plant- now is not the time to cut corners! Plan on purchasing your new Braided Money Tree from a premium grower, in order to ensure that you receive a plant that is primed to thrive and in great health.
The care that plants receive before they arrive at your home is just as important as the care that you give them, so avoid purchasing your plant from a garden center or home improvement store, and go for a trusted plant supplier instead. The one-size-fits-all approach that garden centers often have toward their plants (hose them down with water, and group plants together regardless of their species and particular needs) is not conducive to great plant health.
Because Braided Money Trees have extremely thin stems and delicate canopies of leaves, it is also important to consider transportation. Driving a new Braided Money Tree home in your vehicle is more of a recipe for disaster than success, and can result in broken trunks or stems and structural damage. Furthermore, like many other tropical plants, Braided Money Trees are susceptible to becoming stressed by forced air (either cold or warm) from a car’s A.C. or vents.
Purchase your new Braided Money Tree from a premium supplier that offers doorstep delivery, or ships their plants in packaging that is specifically engineered for their protection. When you buy your plant from a trusted supplier, you’re able to reap the benefit of their expertise, and bypass any negative effects that might result from improper care or transportation.
Even the healthiest Braided Money Trees can experience stress from time to time
With their low-maintenance disposition and flexible care requirements, your Braided Money Tree should have no problem thriving for years! But all living plants can experience stress, and it’s at those times when having the support of a team of knowledgeable experts can make a world of difference.
Plants that are purchased from Léon & George are more than just healthy from the start: they are primed to flourish. And when you get your plant, you also receive lifetime access to our Plant Doctor service: a team of horticulturalists with decades of experience growing and caring for plants. The Plant Doctor team is here to assess your plant’s health and growth, provide tips and treatment plans, and to offer supportive guidance as you care for your plant. There are no fees required- the Plant Doctor service is just one of many ways we ensure that every plant we sell is designed to thrive.
We’ve compiled a list of common problems that Braided Money Trees can face, as well as helpful guidance for assessing your plant’s health. Informed and enthusiastic plant parents are the key to our success! Learn more about how to care for and grow your Braided Money Tree at our full care guide.
Shop The Gorgeous, EASY-CARE large Braided Money Tree From Léon & George
A low-maintenance care routine, legendary reputation for good luck, and air purifying power: the Braided Money Tree, or Pachira aquatica, truly has it all! Explore the entire collection of vibrant Braided Money Trees in every size from Léon & George today.
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Immerse yourself in the world of Léon & George, where exceptional spaces are our canvas and exceptional plants our medium. With every leaf and stem, we bring a touch of nature's serenity into your home. Our ethos marries sophistication with sustainability, ensuring that each houseplant not only enhances your decor but also embodies our commitment to the environment.
Quality and service are the roots from which our business grows, driving us to deliver indoor plants that are not just beautiful but nurtured for longevity. As stewards of both style and ecological responsibility, we offer a collection that includes everything from lush foliage plants and hardy succulents to majestic ficus trees and air-purifying snake plants.
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