- Which chestnut is best for indoors?
- How do I care for a lucky chestnut?
- How do I care for an Australian chestnut?
Neither the chestnut nor the horse chestnut are made for the home, but there are chestnuts that are suitable as houseplants. However, this only refers to the name, these plants are not related to the native chestnut.
The lucky chestnut is the chestnut for indoors
Which chestnut is best for indoors?
Either the Australian chestnut (bot. Castanospermum australe) or the lucky chestnut (bot. Pachira aquatica) is suitable as a houseplant. While the Australian chestnut can also be found in the garden in warm regions, the lucky chestnut needs warm temperatures all year round.
How do I care for a lucky chestnut?
The lucky chestnut is often considered to be quite delicate. However, this is less due to the plant than to the way it is sold in stores. There it is often in a much too small pot and has a braided stem. You don't get both well. It is best to repot the plant into a larger container immediately after purchase.
The Pachira, as the lucky chestnut is also called, comes from Central America and is at least distantly related to the hibiscus. She likes it bright and sunny. Even the midday sun doesn't harm it, provided the pot is big enough and the substrate is moist. Always water the lucky chestnut when the soil has dried slightly.
The lucky chestnut, in a nutshell:
- Location: sunny to slightly shady
- Substrate: commercially available indoor plant soil
- watering: allow to dry slightly between waterings
- fertilize: every 1 to 2 months, not in the first few months after purchase or repotting
- also tolerates dry room air
- ideal temperature: room temperature all year round
- hibernate: in the room or between 15 and 20 °C
How do I care for an Australian chestnut?
The Australian chestnut is quite easy to care for. During growth, the young plant needs plenty of water. However, there must be no waterlogging. Like the lucky chestnut, the Australian chestnut loves warmth. However, it tolerates temperatures around freezing point for short periods of time. She likes to enjoy the summer outside in the garden.
tips
Do not buy Pachira in very small pot. It is best to immediately transplant the lucky chestnut into a sufficiently large flower pot.