Learn All About the Pachira Aquatica Plant
The lore surrounding the history of the Money Tree (or the Pachira plant) dates back many centuries. Legend has it that a poor Taiwanese farmer found a small Pachira plant growing in his field one day. He was struck by its beauty and, realizing that he might be able to use this tree to escape poverty, he decided to grow and sell these mysterious plants that were growing in his field. He soon became one of the wealthiest people in Taiwan and, attributing his wealth to the Pachira plant, he dubbed it the “Money Tree.”
Can you believe that a destitute farmer struck it rich just by selling some trees that he found in his field? Sounds almost too good to be true, right? That’s because it is. The real origins of the Pachira plant date back only a few decades. Although the true origins may not be as idealized as the folklore, they are interesting nonetheless. In the 1980’s, a man named Liu popularized potted Pachira plants by braiding their stems as they grew. He found that he only needed to maintain the braided stems in the first stages of growth and then the Pachira plant would continue to grow in a braid. People began to mimic his technique on other Pachira plants and the braided plant began to gain popularity. Eventually, the trend took off not only in Taiwan, but across the globe too.
Nowadays, you can see Pachira plants all around Asia, Europe and the United States. They have developed great cultural significance in Asia and are often adorned with red ribbon and other ornaments. Today, the plants are symbols of luck and good fortune and it is believed that having one in your home can bring you wealth. The branches each have five leaves, representing the five fundamental Feng Shui elements: wood, water, fire, earth and metal. It is possible to find a branch with six or even seven leaves on it, though this is quite rare. A branch with extra leaves is considered to be a sign of great fortune.
Pachira plants are becoming especially popular in America. Because this bonsai plant is easier to care for than other bonsais, its popularity has taken off. Many believe that the Pachira plant gives off good energy and leads to wealth and happiness. Whether you believe that the Money Tree will make you rich or you just like the aesthetic qualities of this plant, you can’t go wrong when you’re getting yourself a Money Tree.
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