Pachira aquatica comes from Central and South America. Their fruits are used there as a cocoa substitute and even as a medicine. The leaves are also edible when cooked. Lucky chestnuts are therefore classified as non-toxic. However, a slight risk of poisoning for small children cannot be completely ruled out.
Is Pachira Aquatica poisonous?
Answer: Pachira Aquatica, also known as the lucky chestnut, is not poisonous. Both the leaves and fruits can be eaten. There is only a slight risk of poisoning if small children suck the stems of the plant. In this case, the plant should be placed in a child-safe location.
Pachira aquatica contains no toxins
Toxins were not found in the plant, also known as the lucky chestnut. On the contrary: leaves and fruits can even be eaten. The fruits are used in the country of origin as a substitute for cocoa beans.
It's different with the trunks of the ornamental tree. It is occasionally warned that the stem of Pachira aquatica contains plant saps which, in large quantities, can cause mild symptoms of poisoning. In order to suffer serious damage, a child would have to suck out several lucky chestnuts.
As long as your children are still very young, you should therefore avoid this plant for safety reasons if you cannot find a child-safe location for the lucky chestnut.
Leaves and fruits are edible
The young leaves of lucky chestnuts can be eaten cooked or raw.
The seeds of the plant, although they hardly form when Pachira aquatica is cultivated indoors, are also edible. The seeds are released from the fruits that ripen throughout the year and are used like nuts. The taste is similar to that of peanut.
The bark and unripe fruits are used in Guatemala as a remedy for liver problems.
Tip
If you keep cats, you don't need to worry about the toxicity of Pachira aquatica. The animals are more likely to pose a danger to the indoor tree. Therefore, it is better to keep your cat away from this houseplant.