Pachira aquatica
French peanut
A large, evergreen tree grown as a houseplant, often with several plants plaited together. Stems are bright green at first, becoming grey-brown; the large, glossy, dark green leaves have five or more lance-shaped leaflets. Can reach 20m in its tropical home, but unlikely to exceed 1.5m in a pot. Mature trees produce spectacular flowers with five, 30cm-long, cream petals and 200 or more gold and crimson stamens, followed by large fruit containing up to 25 nuts
Other common names
Guiana chestnutMalabar chestnut
see moreMexican fortune tree
provision tree
water chestnut
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Grey Silver Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Grey Silver Green | Cream Red Gold | Green | |
| Autumn | Brown Grey Silver Green | Green | Brown | |
| Winter | Brown Grey Silver Green | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors in an open, free-draining compost in bright light or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed, semi-ripe cuttings or air-layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Cut back shoots as necessary to control size, in spring
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to a leaf spot
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.