Symbolism, colours and shapes Pachira aquatica, also known as the ‘lucky tree’, usually has two or three intertwined or twisted stems and dark green leaves that resemble a hand and its five fingers.

The plant grows quickly and forms a beautiful crown of leaves. The structure is extremely impressive thanks to the large leaves that rest on long petioles. This makes the plant less massive and allows light to pass through it. The houseplant stores water in its trunk and therefore requires little maintenance. This makes this indoor plant attractive to those who like to have a lot of greenery in their home without having to take care of it too much.

According to the Chinese doctrine of feng shui, the leaves of the Pachira, which resemble green hands with a little imagination, grasp happiness and hold it in their twisted trunk like a treasure.

In Asia, the plant is also called the ‘money tree’. It is a traditional housewarming gift, as the Pachira is believed to bring wealth and happiness to the home. In China, the number 5 represents the five elements. This makes the 5-fingered leaves of the Pachira very popular. The effect can be enhanced by placing five plants in a round pot and connecting them by braiding them together.

Origin Pachira aquatica originates from the tropical regions of Central and South America. The name comes from an ancient Indian language of Guyana and means ‘freshwater nut’. I

n its native regions, the plant grows mainly in areas that are often flooded by rivers. It also grows in other humid habitats such as riverbanks, swamps and humid mountain forests. In the wild, the plant can reach a height of 20 m. It blooms with extremely long yellow petals, from which oval brown fruits grow that can reach a length of around 30 cm. These are used as a substitute for cocoa.