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Pachira is endemic to Central America and northern South America. It is often cultivated in Hawaii and Southern California as well. The nuts can be ground into flour for bread production, and the leaves and flowers are sometimes also cooked.
Although Pachiras can get rather large in size, most gardeners are familiar with them as the small potted plants with interweaved stems and attractive leaves.
| Plant Types: | Interior Plant, Nut, Perennial, Tree, Tropical |
| Light: | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 10 feet to 12 feet |
| Width: | 12 feet to 15 feet |
| Zones: | 9a to 15b |
| Bloom Color: | Red, White |
| Special Features: | Edible, Grows submerged, Pet Friendly, Wetlands plant |
| Fertilizer: | Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food |
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Propagate from the seed or from root cuttings.
Harvest the nuts when the seed pods burst open. The nuts are usually eaten raw, roasted, or fried.
Spreading tree with dense foliage. Grows best in full sun or partial shade. P. aquatica is a wetland tree, and can be planted alongside rivers, ponds, or swamps. Can also be grown as a houseplant.
Blooms large flowers followed by woody pods that are shaped like footballs and contain packed, edible nuts.
Grows best in soil that is fertile and humus-rich. Water freely and frequently while in growth, less in winter. Try to keep completely dry when leafless. Soil based potting mixes work well for indoor plants. P. aquatica prefers sites that are flooded and not well-draining. Does best where the water recedes once in a while, to let in some oxygen to the roots.
Needs fertile soil to grow well. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer on a monthly basis during the growing season.
No pruning is generally necessary.
Spider mites may cause problems.