Ugly leaves cannot be prevented, that's just nature. These ugly leaves can be cut immediately. In addition, it is recommended to prune the Pachira back to the crown in the autumn. This ensures that the plant remains nicely compact without ugly shoots. A pruned trunk will make new shoots over time. Beware: when the Pachira is not pruned for a number of years, a long trunk without leaves will remain.
The Pachira will create almost no flowers in a living room. If this does happen, it is recommended to remove it as this will cost the plant a lot of effort.