Guiana chestnut

The Guiana chestnut plant (Pachira aquatica) should be watered enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Depending on the size of the pot, this could mean watering the plant once a week. Plant medium (soil) should be allowed to dry out lightly between waterings. A good general rule of thumb is to water once the soil has become dry for an inch or 2 below the surface. Also, take special care to monitor the plant between spring and fall when it is most likely to need additional water. During the summer months, the Guiana Chestnut plant may need additional water about once every 5-7 days.

Guiana chestnut, or Pachira aquatica, is an evergreen tree native to Central and South America. It requires partial sun exposure to grow properly. It can thrive in full sun, but it may need shade during the hottest parts of the day, especially during summer. To ensure healthy growth, keep the plant in a location that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, including the midmorning and midafternoon hours when sunlight is at its most intense. You can also move the plant indoors during the summer if the temperature rises too high.

Guiana chestnut (Pachira aquatica) should be pruned once every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring to late summer). Pruning should consist of deadheading spent flowers and selectively removing any unwanted or excess growth. It is also important to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches and twigs to manage the size of the tree. Pruning should be done sparingly and with careful consideration as to not affect the symmetric shape of the tree and to allow enough foliage for the plant to properly photosynthesize.