Happy Flower Pot

Money tree

Pachira aquatica (Malvaceae)

Also called Money Plant.

Cats and dogs

Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Cats: non-toxic Dogs: non-toxic

Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.

Source: ASPCA entry "Money Tree", checked October 3, 2026.

Light

  1. Low light 3+ mol Copes
  2. Medium light 6+ mol Copes
  3. Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
  4. Direct sun 12+ mol

Give it bright, indirect light; direct sun can scorch the leaves. Missouri Botanical Garden notes it can tolerate near-full shade, though houseplants do best in bright light.

Direct sun: best kept out of it.

On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 0.5 (how these numbers are set).

Will it grow in my window?

Care

Care level: Easy. Water: Keep the potting mix evenly and moderately moist but never let the pot stand in water, which causes root rot.

Low humidity can cause yellowing leaves; indoor plants almost never flower.

More pet-safe plants for similar light

Sources