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Pachira Aquatica

Pachira aquatica is a highly decorative tree with large, compound leaves with five to nine leaflets, not dissimilar to those found on Schefflera species (umbrella trees).

Latin name
Pachira aquatica

Pronunciation
(“pack-EYE-rah ah-KWAT-ik-ah”)

Common name
Malabar chestnut

Origin
Brazil

Also known as Guiana chestnut or Malabar chestnut, the stems are often braided, or have very swollen trunk bases and are smooth. When mature, the trees produce striking flowers and large nuts.

Did you know?

The plant’s nuts are edible when roasted and are said to taste similar to peanuts or chestnuts in its native regions.

Non-toxic to pets and humans. It is a safe and pet-friendly choice for homes, though ingestion of large quantities of raw nuts is not recommended.

caring for your plant

Light

Medium-high – high.

Watering

The soil should be kept moist, but not wet. It will tolerate occasional overwatering and underwatering. The foliage benefits from misting with tepid water.

Pruning

More mature plants can be pruned to maintain a good shape.

Feeding

Dilute fertilizer added to the water at every watering will be beneficial.

pest & diseases

If the air is dry, two-spotted spider mites may be a problem. These can be deterred by regular misting. Sap feeding pests such as mealybugs and scale insects may also be found. Mealybugs should be removed by cleaning the plant with a damp cloth or paper towel, and scale insects rubbed of the plant with a blunt tool such as a wooden lolly stick.

Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.

According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.

Find out more about Ecoponic here.

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Did you know?

Research from the University of Exeter found that offices with plants can increase productivity by up to 15% while also improving concentration and job satisfaction.