Palm or Not?
Money trees, or Pachira aquatica, at first glance look like a small palm tree. Their stems are covered with neutral toned patches, resembling that of a coconut-palm. With its unique style and connotations to luck and wealth, it has grown increasingly popular in recent years; and nearly every home displays at least one of these little guys. But is a money tree a palm?
The money tree has a shape of a palm however sharing to similarities with the family of arecaceae. The name “money tree” actually comes from the Chinese term “Pien Tsai”, which means ‘lucky plant’. Stories of wealth and prosperity come from this originating country, where the leaves of this tree were thought to contain coins, however the actual practice of money tree decoration originates from Japan and Taiwan traditions during their New Year celebrations.
Botanically speaking, money tree is a member of the Malvaceae family, related to mangos, hollyhocks, cotton, and even okra. Despite its appearance, money trees are not part of the palm family. In fact, they don’t even resemble palms at all. All “true” palms have a single, unbranched trunk, while money trees feature several stalks that have merged together, resembling a tree.
Despite their lack of botanical relationship, money trees also differ from palms in terms of symbolism and symbolism. In Chinese and East Asian cultures, money trees represent energy, fertility, luck, and wealth. This is because the five leaves of the Pachira aquatica hug all directions of the two dimensional plane and are believed to attract good luck and fortune from all aspects of life.
Although many online sources incorrectly identifies money trees as palms, this isn’t the case. For those looking to bring their home the positive, positive vibes associated with the palm family, a true potted palm is always a great choice. With the right care and attention, most palms will thrive indoors, with overall appearances and vibes similar to that of a money tree.
Palm Care and Symbolism
When it comes to taking care of palms, the most important thing is to create the right environment. This means proper light levels and humidity, temperature control, and even some fertilizing every now and then. Full sun exposure and high humidity are two of the most important elements to keep in mind when caring for a potted palm.
It is also important to remember that palms represent more than just wealth. Different types of palms carry different symbolism, conveying different meanings depending on the context. The most popular palm for symbolic meanings is the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera), which is often associated with successes, fertility, fineness, and wealth. Other symbols include femininity (Raphia farinifera), righteousness (Hyphaene thebaica ), and even knowledge (Caryota urens).
Varieties of Palms
There are a wide variety of palms available in the market. From majestic Kentia palms to the smaller parlor palms, your options are limited only by your own taste and preferences. Each species has its own unique care requirements, which have to be identified in order to keep your potted palm happy and healthy. For example, the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a low-maintenance species that requires low light, moderate humidity, and very occasional pruning and occasional fertilizing.
For those who’d rather opt for a bigger palm, Kentia (Howea forsteriana) might be the perfect choice. It’s a medium-to-large species, which needs a bit more attention in the form of frequent fertilizing and occasional pruning. Kentia palms can thrive both indoors and outdoors, so they can be used as both a decoration piece and for outdoor gardening.
When it comes to more exotic palms, the variety quickly grows. From the rare Canary Islands date palm (Phoenix canariensis) to the more common Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis), one can easily find a beautiful and exotic species for any decor.
Landscaping with Palms
The beauty of palm trees is that they just exude a certain life and vibrancy that is hard to replicate with other plants. This makes them a great choice for landscaping. Whether you want a colourful or natural-looking side of your property, palm trees can be a smart way to go.
There are many types of palms that are naturally suited for landscaping, each with their own look and feel. High-maintenance palms include Queen and King palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) while Areca (Dypsis lutescens), and waist-high palms such as Parlor palms (Chamaedorea elegans) are more low-maintenance and can be used for a wide range of looks.
Since Palm trees require a fair amount of space to grow, it is important to identify the desired style and size of your garden before deciding which species best fits. Some of the more popular choices include Mexican Fan palms (Washingtonia robusta) and Foxtail palms (Wodyetia bifurcata).
Palm Trees in the House
Easy to care for and aesthetically pleasing, palm trees can be a great addition to an indoor decor. Depending on the size of the room and the desired look, one can pick between a number of different types of potted palms. Some of the choices include Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) and Robellini palms (Rypsis excelsa).
When kept indoors, Palms require bright, indirect sunlight, with temperatures preferably hovering between 19-24°C. Watering schedules also depend on the species; some require more frequent wettings such as the Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) while others are more forgiving.
In addition to the importance of keeping the plants healthy, palm trees can also be used to purposefully create ambiances and aesthetic moments. Along with ferns, various types of ivys, and occasionally even orchids, palms can be used to enhance any spacial design.
Palm Trees and Energy
When it comes to energy flows inside a living space, plants like the palm trees can be a great asset. The strong and aesthetic trunks of some palm species, such as Foxtail palms, Chinese wind-mills (Trachycarpus wagnerianus), or even Starfish palms (Cyrtostachys renda) can be used as energy boosters.
Decorating with Palm trees can help balance energy and provide a pleasant scent. For example, the Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) is believed to be a symbol of good luck, prosperity and fortune. Its beauty and foliage are said to help absorb negative energy and promote love and harmony in the home.
Other palms such as the Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), which is native to Lord Howe Islands, is known as the ‘’Divine Tree’’ by the aboriginal population. Its branches are said to emit serenity, making it a great plant to have around the home.
Palm Trees and Wellbeing
In addition to their aesthetic and energy-boosting qualities, palms can also promote wellbeing. In particular, Palm trees are know to induce and heightened sense of calm and serenity in most owners. Studies have shown that the general presence of greenery, including plants such as palm trees and ferns, can have positive effects on physical and mental health, such as stress relief, improved concentration, and increased energy levels.
Finally, caring for palms can also be a great hobby. Learning how to take care of a potted palm is both rewarding and straightforward and can help bring a sense of purpose in life. Regardless of whether one wishes to bring energy and good vibes into their home, or just cultivate their green thumb, palms can be a great choice.
