Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - March 17, 2016
From: Bradenton, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Pachira aquatica loosing leaves.
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We have an indoor money tree that is 20 feet tall, the leaves have started to turn brown and fall. We water twice a month and mist about the same. Can you opine what what we are doing wrong the plant has been with us for 6 years and is dear to us?ANSWER:
According to Wikipedia, the Money tree or Guiana chestnut (Pachira aquatica) is a tropical wetland tree in the Malvaceae family and native to Central and South America where it grows in swamps. It is not a native tree and therefore isn't in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database. I have seen a Pachira aquatica growing to that size inside the Butterfly Conservatory at the Niagara Parks Botanical Garden in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada. It is planted in a generous amount of soil and gets the same amount of water as the other tropical plants. The leaves do turn brown on the edges occassionally and the older ones do drop.
If your plant is dropping a lot of leaves perhaps it needs water more frequently than just 2 x a month. Misting twice a month is not very effective and you can discontinue it.
A quick search online resulted in these tips from the www.apartmenttherapy.com website ...
This plant loves moisture but you should never let it stand in water. Good drainage is essential.
• Position this plant in bright indirect light indoors.
• Water this plant consistently. 1 - 2 times per week depending on humidity. Make sure you water all the topsoil, just until the water starts leaking out the drain holes.
• For optimal longevity, lightly fertilize the Pachira 3 - 4 times a year with a water-soluble fertilizer.
More Non-Natives Questions
Pruning of non-native oxblood lilies from Austin
March 27, 2014 - My Oxblood Lilies flowered quite late last Fall. Their foliage is still very green. Can I cut it down now or do I have to wait until it goes brown?
view the full question and answer
Swarming insects on non-native willow in Washington PA
September 25, 2011 - I have had a very large, beautiful pillow willow bush/tree growing next to our garage for about 8 years. Last year at the end of August, it began to attract white-faced hornets and yellow jackets by t...
view the full question and answer
Identification of tree bought from a magazine ad
August 11, 2013 - I recently submitted the following question to Ask An Expert. They were unable to identify the plant. I hope you will be able to.
Can you help me by either identifying this plant or advising me a...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native African violets in Des Moines
January 08, 2010 - My violets have stopped blooming after years and have developed a growth in the middle of the plant. Can I save these plants and how can I revive them. Thank you, I am desperate to salvage them as the...
view the full question and answer
Japanese Wineberry in Maryland
July 16, 2014 - Hello, we were at Cunningham Falls in Maryland and I can not identify this plant. If you could I would greatly appreciate it, thank you. It looks like a raspberry but the berries are inside small leav...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |