Whether it actually brings luck and prosperity, as is believed, especially in Feng Shui-influenced Southeast Asia, is up to everyone and their own beliefs. The lucky chestnut – also simply called Pachira – is definitely a beautiful foliage plant for the room.
Where does the lucky chestnut come from and what properties does it have?
The lucky chestnut (Pachira aquatica) is a tropical ornamental plant from Central and South America that is considered a symbol of luck and prosperity in Feng Shui. It is characterized by its long-stemmed, palmately fanned leaves and a thickened trunk that can store water.
Origin
The Pachira acuatica is often simply called Pachira in Central Europe. A common common name is also lucky chestnut - because in the teachings of Feng Shui, Pachira acuatica, like many other plants, has a high symbolic meaning: it is said to bring luck and prosperity.
However, their area of origin is not the Far East, where Feng Shui has its roots. On the contrary, from our point of view it comes from the opposite direction, namely from Central America. There it inhabits tropical areas from Mexico to northern South American countries such as Brazil and Peru. In its homeland, the Pachira grows to impressive heights of up to 20 meters.
In our latitudes, the lucky chestnut can only be kept indoors. Of course, the tropical plant is not frost hardy. However, if the living temperature is warm and the air humidity is good, it can easily be cultivated indoors all year round.
Origin in keywords:
- Is of great importance in Feng Shui - a symbol of luck and prosperity
- Natural distribution area: tropical Central and South America
- Can be kept indoors all year round
Growth
The lucky chestnut grows as a tree with a slightly thickened trunk base in which it can store excellent water. In its native habitat it can reach a height of 20 meters. In the local room culture, however, it is usually only around 2 meters tall - which is of course enormous for a normal living space.
The Pachira with its large, decorative leaves forms a sweeping, umbrella-like crown above the light brown-gray barked trunk.
In garden centers, lucky chestnuts are often sold with a braided trunk.
Growth characteristics at a glance:
- Pachira grows as a tree with a thickening, water-storing trunk base
- In the home area up to 20 m high, here only 2 m high
- Specimens available in specialist stores often have a braided trunk
leaves
The leaves of the Pachira are probably the most important decorative feature for Central European room culture. Because it rarely produces flowers in this country. In terms of appearance, the leaves are somewhat reminiscent of those of chestnut trees - hence the nickname lucky chestnut. Of course, the pachira is in no way related to chestnuts, but it is related to the baobab tree.
The lucky chestnut leaves have quite long stalks and are fanned out in a palm shape. Each leaflet has 5 to 9 individual leaves with an elongated oval shape that is pointed at the front. Their texture is slightly leathery and shiny, the color is rich dark green.
Leaf properties in brief:
- Reminds me of chestnut leaves
- Long-stalked, 5-9 finger-shaped pinnates
- Individual leaves elongated-oval, pointed at the front
- Dark green, leathery, shiny
Flowers
The lucky chestnut rarely blooms in Central European indoor cultivation. There are simply no sufficient light, temperature and humidity conditions here.
It is definitely desirable to get a flower. Because it is absolutely spectacular: with its long, narrow sepals in creamy yellow and the high plume of creamy yellow stamens that emerge from the center and turn red at the tips, it looks extremely exotic and magnificent.
Overview:
- Formation of flowers here is extremely rare
- Appearance extremely magnificent with large, plume-like shape in creamy yellow and red
Fruit
The fruit, which arises from a pollinated pachira flower, has an elliptical shape with a woody shell and can be an impressive size of up to 15 centimeters in diameter. Their seeds are edible.
Which location is suitable?
Like most tropical plants, the lucky chestnut needs a bright location without direct sunlight and high humidity all year round. The best place to place it is in a bright window spot where it is protected by neighboring large-leaved houseplants or a thin shading device. Ensure the humidity is as high as possible. It is recommended to give the plant a fine mist shower from the water disperser every now and then.
The optimal ambient temperature for the Pachira is practically at a comfortable living room level of 18 to 20°C. If possible, the temperature should not fall below 12°C.
In the summer you can also put your lucky chestnut outside for a while. Then, like indoors, it should be protected from direct sun and also from wind and rain.
Location requirements at a glance:
- Tendency to be tropical conditions: bright, without direct sunlight, humid
- Temperature comfortable: 18-20°C, minimum temperature 12°C
- Can also be put out in a place protected from the sun, wind and rain in summer
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What soil does the plant need?
The lucky chestnut is moderately nutritious. You can plant them in a substrate made from regular potting or potting soil. However, it should be relatively permeable, as the roots of the Pachira are quite sensitive to waterlogging. Mixing in a little sand is usually sufficient for this purpose.
Fertilize fortune chestnuts properly
You can fertilize the Pachira moderately over the summer months. To do this, use a universal liquid fertilizer in low doses. However, you should refrain from adding additional nutrients in the first year.
Watering the fortune chestnut
Since the lucky chestnut can store a lot of water in its trunk, constant watering is not absolutely necessary. However, you should water regularly, especially in the summer months. The only important thing is that the amount of water is never too excessive - the Pachira cannot tolerate waterlogging at all. So water carefully and wait until the substrate is dry again before watering again.
In addition to watering, you should give the Pachira a shower with the water disperser every now and then. For this, as well as for watering, use water that is as room temperature and lime-free as possible.
Over the winter months, reduce watering to regular, small sips.
Pouring rules in keywords:
- Pachira requires a moderate amount of water
- Stores a lot in the trunk - less risk of drying out than root rot caused by waterlogging
- Water regularly, but in small doses
- Additional spray over
- Use room temperature and lime-free water
- Water less in winter
Repotting
Depending on the location and care conditions, the Pachira can show different growth rates. After about two years the pot usually becomes too small and too cramped for her. It is best to repot in the spring. There isn't much to consider.read more
Cut fortune chestnut correctly
The lucky chestnut actually doesn't need any special pruning care. It grows very shapely on its own and does not spread out. You don't need to cut off the wilted leaves, they can simply be picked off by hand.
Given the limited space available in normal living rooms, pruning may still be necessary. It tolerates the shortening of the crown and then sprouts again well, although its contour may suffer as a result.read more
Propagate fortune chestnuts
Would you like to give someone a lucky chestnut or replace your overgrown plant with a young specimen? Then the best way to propagate your Pachira is through cuttings. Seed cultivation is also possible, but of course it takes longer.
Cuttings
To propagate a Pachira by cuttings, it is best to cut a head cutting in spring when woodiness has begun. You can simply let this root in a glass of water. If the shoot is not woody, a growing substrate made of peat and sand is better suited for rooting. Keep it evenly moist, ideally under foil, and place the planter in a bright place. It can be a bit tricky to maintain the ideal soil temperature of a warm 25 to 30°C - a heated mini greenhouse (€59.00 on Amazon) can help here. However, it can take a few weeks for rooting.
Seed cultivation
You are unlikely to get your own seeds from your Pachira, but you can easily buy some from specialist retailers. The seeds must be soaked in water for about 24 hours before planting. Then place them in planters with growing substrate and place them brightly and at an ambient temperature of 22 to 24°C. Here too, it is advisable to cover the whole thing with foil to ensure an evenly moist, protected microclimate.read more
Diseases
The Pachira is generally robust against diseases. However, it reacts much more sensitively to care errors. Above all, incorrect lighting conditions and incorrect water supply can affect it.
Too dark location
If the location is too dark, the lucky chestnut can drop its leaves. If possible, ensure there is enough light in your parking space all year round. Of course without direct sunlight.
Excessive sunlight
You definitely have to keep the lucky chestnut away from direct sun. In its original habitat it is protected by the high canopy of tropical forest vegetation, so it receives a lot of brightness but no direct sunlight. Their leaves are therefore sensitive to burns. Therefore, place them on the windowsill in the protection of other large-leaved plants or shade the window with a light, thin fabric.
Especially if you want to put the Pachira outside on the terrace in summer, you should also carefully get it used to the extra light that there is outside. It's best to initially place them under an awning; later, shading plants will also suffice.
Waterlogging
The lucky chestnut can respond to waterlogging with yellowing leaves and, in advanced stages, leaf drop. In the worst case, the roots can also rot. In this case, you must repot the plant immediately. Remove all rotten root parts as thoroughly as possible and place the ball in a fresh substrate.
Sweating
If the lucky chestnut secretes a liquid from its leaves, there is no reason to worry. She's just sweating. In this case, you should pay particular attention to ensuring that there is no waterlogging.
Air too dry
Excessively dry air is also often the reason why the lucky chestnut drops its leaves. In addition, an environment that is too dry increases the risk of pest infestation. Remember to shower regularly with the water disperser!
Preventive protection
In order to permanently strengthen the lucky chestnut and make it more robust against aches and pains, adequate care with the right amount of light, consistent heat and water and high humidity is of course necessary.
What is also recommended is to unbraid the often braided trunk of a purchased specimen. Although the braided structure is decorative, it reduces the protective effect of the bark. It becomes thinner and therefore has less defense power. The contact points in the narrow twists also provide a breeding ground for pests and fungi and increase the risk of disease in unfavorable environmental conditions. If the Pachira is allowed to grow freely, it will definitely become more robust.read more
Pests
As a rule, the Pachira is rarely attacked by pests. As with all humidity-loving tropical plants, ambient air that is too dry can occasionally attract spider mites or mealybugs.
Spider mites
Spider mites are among the most common houseplant parasites. The mites can usually be seen with the naked eye - depending on the species, they have a greenish or yellowish to reddish color. A clear indication of a population are the fine webs with which they cover the leaves of their host plant.
The best way to get rid of spider mites is with water. First they are mechanically brushed off the leaves. Finally, wrap the wet plant under a foil bag that you close tightly at the bottom. Underneath, the spider mites die within a week.
Mealybugs
These parasites get their name from the cottony balls that they secrete when they suck on their host plant. This also makes them easy to spot. You should get rid of the lice quickly so that they don't have a chance to hatch their larvae. In addition, when they suck on the plant, they secrete honeydew, the coating of which can lead to the colonization of the sooty mold fungus.
Treat the Pachira after you have removed the largest infestation mechanically by wiping it with a damp cloth, preferably with a spray treatment of a water-curd soap-spirit mixture (proportion 1 l-15 ml-15 ml).. Apply this treatment every 2 to 3 days until the population has visibly evaporated.
Tip 1:
The Pachira is also suitable as an office plant under certain conditions. Here it can ensure a significantly he althier indoor climate. Especially in heavily heated office spaces, it should be kept hydroponically - this ensures a sufficient and, above all, regular water supply and it also makes for less stressful office work if no one in the team has the brains for watering.
Tip 2:
You can also cultivate a Pachira as a bonsai. Common practice suggests that they are sold with an intertwined trunk in the commercial plant trade. If you like the pretty braided structure, you can continue to use it during cultivation.
The lucky chestnut is actually very malleable, so it can be trained into special, alienating shapes using the usual basic methods such as wiring and leaf cutting. It is recommended so that the Pachira does not grow too quickly and maintains the typical bonsai mini-tree habit for as long as possible. To place them on a lava stone according to Hawaiian tradition.
Varieties
There are no special cultivars of Pachira aquatica in circulation.
