Pachira aquatica commonly called Chinese Money Tree originated in East Asia: Japan, Taiwan and China. It is also found in the wetlands of Central America.
Chinese Money Tree had long been popular in Japan as an ornamental plant. The Japanese also made the plant more popular by bonsai usage. In 1966, a Taiwanese truck driver first grew five small plants in a single pot with their trunks braided. This became very popular in Japan and the rest of East Asia.
