The Money Tree and Prosperity in the Year Ahead

Lunar New Year in 2024 falls on February 10, and the animal of the year is the impressive dragon which signifies good health, leadership, strength, and more. Is it time to get a lucky Money Tree in our homes as part of celebrating? Why not?

You may celebrate Lunar New Year each year, or you may not have thought of it for a while. I had not thought of this holiday since teaching elementary school, or before that, since living in a big city with an impressive dragon parade taking place annually downtown. But in February when many parts of the world are snowy and cold, it makes sense to embrace as many celebrations as one possibly can to warm the heart while broadening the perspective. For me, Lunar New Year is on the calendar, and my Money Tree will be arriving before the holiday does.

Celebrating this holiday in 2024 may be especially important, due to the formidable nature of the year’s animal. While you might be drawn to other animals in the Chinese Zodiac—I am partial to the dog—the dragon is strong and mighty. Back at those big-city dragon parades I once attended, the power of the dragon was palpable. Drums and dancers pounded through the streets with exuberance, and the promise of good fortune seemed to reverberate right through the body of each onlooker. The dragon really did indicate strength and good things to come, with silken feet to pound the pavement, and happy noise all around.

In the same sense, good fortune is indicated by ideal placement of the interesting Pachira aquatica, the Money Tree, which is used frequently in feng shui. Might a few extra bucks float your way because of this small tree? Perhaps. More likely, good fortune in a broader sense is what is promised. For me, looking at Pachira aquatica makes me think of bonsai-keeping, faraway places, and new beginnings. If you’ve already slipped on your New Year’s Resolutions, take February 10 as a date on which to start again. If you have been careless with your money in the past, use the sight of the Money Tree as a reminder to slow down and engage in thoughtful spending. And if Valentine’s Day is not the right time to wish someone well, then consider the Money Tree for gifting and sharing good vibes at a time of year when white snow and gray skies may leave people you know a little empty and in need of a special gift.

Pachira aquatica is typically purchased in a form that looks like that of a singular tree with an interwoven trunk. But the loosely braided trunk, thought to capture good fortune within its twists and turns, actually is made from the stems of several individual plants. The woody stems come together, turning many plants into one beautiful specimen that is bonsai-like and special. Shiny green leaves, large in relation to the overall size of the tree, unfold like a broad canopy at the top of a strong trunk with twists and turns… very intricate and pretty. Little to no refinement is needed, at least after the point that the “trunk” is braided and growing in the plaited manner. And this is one of the many things that makes the Money Tree an attractive option for a houseplant with faraway intrigue: It is a “bonsai” with no need for bonsai-tending skills on the part of the plant lover.

The feng shui rules of positioning Pachira aquatica in the home are best researched by the plant tender, I contend. With a tiny bit of web surfing, and the knowledge of your own home, you can position this plant in the best possible manner. But do make sure that a placement that is designed to bring luck and good fortune is likewise “lucky” in terms of the growing needs of Pachira aquatica. No drafty windows, no cold airflow vents, no dimly lit corners… this tree loves warmth, bright indirect light, drying out between waterings, a little sustenance in the form of diluted fertilizer from time to time, and the admiration of you as its caretaker. These things, and a gentle dusting of the shiny leaves with a dampened cloth as time passes, will keep your Money Tree in perfect shape over the long haul.

Now, you don’t want your Money Tree to break the bank before ushering in good fortune. Because Pachira aquatica requires some extra preparation before it is sold—think “trunk braiding”—a high pricetag sometimes accompanies this plant. On the other end of the spectrum, the Money Tree sometimes finds its way into supermarket floral areas and similar shops… not bad places to purchase some plants, but not always reliable in terms of ensuring good plant health. So purchase your Pachira aquatica from a trusted grower who knows plants well. That type of grower will price the Money Tree right and be sure it comes from good stock and is in its healthiest form. Then all you have to do is place your Pachira aquatica in an advisable spot and prepare your wallet, and more importantly, your heart, to be filled in the year ahead.