What is the link between the Money Tree and Lunar New Year?

The Chinese money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a cherished gift during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Who wouldn't want a bit of luck, especially when it comes to financial blessings?

"This plant is believed to attract fortune into your life, particularly during significant life changes, such as launching a new business," says Rebecca Lee, a registered nurse and founder of the natural health platform Remedies for Me. "It's also gifted to friends or new neighbors as a gesture of friendship."

"This plant is actually a Malabar chestnut, which in its natural habitat can grow up to 50 feet [15 meters] tall. However, when kept as a houseplant, it's more commonly seen as a desktop variety, typically reaching around 4 to 5 feet [1.2-1.5 meters]," explains Rebecca Bullene of Greenery NYC in an email.

Chinese money tree plants are among the most popular indoor plants worldwide, according to Lee. "They're incredibly easy to care for and can thrive for years. They're especially common in Chinese culture, particularly during feng shui, a practice of purifying one's home to achieve harmony with the surrounding environment."

What Makes Money Trees Popular Gifts for Lunar New Year?

According to legend, a poor man prayed for prosperity and eventually discovered the money tree. He brought it home and was able to propagate many more trees from its seeds, which led to his newfound wealth. This is why the money tree plant is a widely cherished gift during Chinese or Lunar New Year celebrations.

Practitioners of feng shui believe that money trees have the ability to bring prosperity and positive energy into one's home.

What Does the Money Tree Represent?

According to feng shui traditions, the braided trunk of the money tree is believed to hold luck within its twists, while the five leaves found on each stalk symbolize the five key elements of balance: earth, wind, fire, water, and metal. That's why many people place braided money trees near their cash registers or in the southeast corner of their homes.

How to Care for Money Trees

Also called the Guiana chestnut, the money tree is a low-maintenance indoor plant that thrives as long as it receives sufficient light.

Money trees flourish in bright, indirect light (like near a south-facing window) and in areas with high humidity. They can also adapt well to fluorescent light, according to plant company Bloomscape. The ideal temperature range for them is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 27 degrees Celsius).

If your home has low humidity, Apartment Therapy recommends filling a shallow tray with small rocks or pebbles and adding water to cover the rocks partially. Then place the plant on top of the pebble tray. This will recreate the humid environment found in its native regions of Central and South America.

Plant your tree in a pot with proper drainage and use potting soil. Water the plant sparingly — only when the top 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of soil have dried out — but ensure the watering is thorough until the water drains out of the pot's holes. This helps avoid root rot, according to Bloomscape. If your tree begins losing leaves, it might be too dry or exposed to too much direct sunlight.

Under optimal conditions, you can expect new leaves to emerge during the warmer months, which is also the best time to fertilize your tree. Prune the tree in winter when it's dormant, as this encourages fresh growth.

Avoid placing your tree in drafty areas and keep it away from exterior doors or air conditioning vents.