Question
Hello, I have had this plant now for 14 years and I have followed your advice in the past. She looks old and weary. My question is what is the lifespan of this plant? Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer
Hi Rafael,

Congratulations on the long life of your Pachira aquatica.

There is no life span for indoor potted plants of any kind. It really depends on the environment provided and their care over the long term. If I had told you the average life span of a potted Pachira is 3-5 years, you might have given up on it long ago or decided I didn't know what I wast talking about! I can say that yours has definitely lived longer than average, but I cannot predict how much longer it will live.

The most neglected part of plant care is failure to prune regularly. Although lack of pruning does not kill a plant, it often leads to its looking "old and weary" after a long time. For most plants, including Pachira, cutting back lanky stems will produce healthy new growth lower down on the stems and help rejuvenate the plant. Of course, less than optimum light and watering will also prematurely age a plant.

I have written articles on Money Plant care and on pruning that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com