Money trees (Pachira aquatica) are ideal indoor plants because they require little maintenance. They look wonderful virtually anyplace thanks to its upright growth and huge, oblong, fan-like leaves. You are not alone if your money tree is losing leaves; this is one of the biggest problems with caring for them. Fortunately, it can be easily avoided and remedied.
The most typical causes of a Money Tree losing leaves are overwatering or underwatering, although many other stressors can also result in leaf loss. Leaf drop can also be brought on by drafts, temperature stress, pests, acclimatization, illness, repotting, or planting in the wrong pot or soil.
In most cases, it is rather easy to stop a money tree from shedding leaves, but it is essential to identify the issue in order to be able to resolve it. Each reason for leaf loss will be covered in this post, along with advice on how to restore your plant.
When a money tree loses its leaves, what should you do?
As your money tree grows, you should expect some leaf loss. You can cut leaves to promote new growth if you see them beginning to turn brown.
Your money tree plant will grow more if you fertilize it twice a year and repot it into a slightly larger container every year or two.
Your money tree can multiply in size and continue to thrive for years if you follow these easy maintenance instructions!
Download our money tree plant care guide, post it on your fridge, and keep these suggestions close at hand.
Can Money Tree leaves regenerate?
Money trees, which are linked to wealth and fortune, can be lush, long-lasting houseplants, but their leaves are prone to falling off. Many Money Tree owners may question if the lovely, brilliant leaves of their plant will regrow when they notice the scant branches.
Can Money Tree leaves regenerate? While some leaf shedding is normal, excessive leaf loss indicates that the plant’s care regimen is out of balance. Be at ease, though! Your Money Tree’s leaves will probably regrow with proper care, including the right amounts of water, fertilizer, and sunlight.
A Money Tree’s (Pachira Aquatica) healthy foliage is an indication of its health. Tropical plants like money trees benefit from stable moisture balance and strong, indirect light in their natural environment. Pruning and moderate fertilization are additional ways to promote growth. However, exercise caution when engaging in any of these activities to avoid aggravating leaf drop and endangering the health of your plant.
How often should a money tree be watered?
What makes a money tree plant happy the best? According to The Sill, water it thoroughly every one to two weeks, letting the soil dry out in between.
How can my Money Tree be revived?
- Overwatering, underwatering, low humidity, very hot or cold temperatures, or too much sun are frequently the causes of dying money trees. When a money tree is overwatered, the leaves rot and turn yellow, whereas when the soil is dry and the humidity is low, the leaves wilt and turn brown.
- Money tree roots rot when there is too much water surrounding them, which causes the leaves to become yellow and droop. The most typical causes of a money tree getting root rot, which results in the leaves turning yellow and appearing to be dying, are overwatering or pots lacking drainage holes in the base.
- Money trees with brown leaves have too-dry soil or low humidity levels. A minimum of 30% humidity and continually moist soil are preferred conditions for money trees, which are native to the tropics. The money tree’s leaves droop, turn brown, and drop off with a dying appearance if the soil is too dry.
- If the soil is too dry or too wet, the humidity is too low, the temperature is below 53.6°F, or there is not enough light, money trees lose their leaves. Due to less daylight hours in the fall and winter, money trees may lose their leaves; if the conditions are right, the leaves will grow back in the spring.
- Recreate the natural climate of a dying money tree with temperatures between 53.6F to 77F, 30 percent humidity, and water the tree as often as necessary to keep the soil constantly moist. The leaves should revive and perk up in the following weeks whenever the conditions are favorable.
What symptoms point to an overwatered money tree?
You’ll observe that your money tree’s symptoms of overwatering and underwatering can occasionally be comparable. How can you tell whether you gave it too much or not enough water?
Here are some guidelines to help you identify the minute variations:
- Examine the leaf’s texture and color. The leaves on your underwater money tree will be crispy and dried. On the other side, a plant that has received too much water would have feeble, brown or yellow leaves.
- Any foliation loss?
- Your money tree is too dry from underwatering if it is shedding older and lower leaves. All of the leaves of an overwatered money tree fall off at once. They might have upper or lower portions, new or old leaves, can be yellow, brown, or green.
- Look for any brown areas.
- Dry brown dots signify underwatering, while brown spots surrounded by a yellow halo indicate overwatering.
- Curling versus wilting
- Wilting is more frequent in overwatered money trees, however it occurs in both situations. A plant that has been submerged is likely to have twisted, shriveled, and wrinkled leaves.
- Examine the plant stem’s base.
- You can be holding an overwatered plant in your hand if it’s mushy, unstable, and turning brown. An underwater money tree typically has a dry and dusty base.
You must examine the soil for the true test. Your money tree’s soil will be plainly dry, compact, and lighter if it has been underwatered. Overwatering is indicated by soil that is darker, drier, or waterlogged and emits a decaying odor (and possibly root rot).
How much sunlight are required by money trees?
When planted outdoors, the money tree can withstand direct sunlight, but when cultivated indoors, plants need bright to medium indirect light for at least six hours each day. Every time you water the plant, make sure to rotate it to ensure straight development.
Ideally, put your potted money tree close to a window that gets plenty of sunshine, but keep an eye on it because too much light will burn the leaves and turn them brown. Conversely, leaves that receive insufficient light turn yellow.
The plant may adapt to artificial light produced by fluorescent or LED grow lights, though it prefers bright, natural light.
Without leaves, how can you save a money tree?
When money plants, sometimes known as braided money trees, are healthy, they are unquestionably stunning plants. They can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet. It might therefore be very depressing to discover that your money plant is not flourishing. However, there is still a chance for you to salvage your withering money tree, so stop worrying now.
How can a money plant be brought back to life? Remove any dead leaves, examine the roots, pick the appropriate pot size, maintain the ideal humidity levels, look for pests, offer the right light source, and water the money plant only when it is thirsty to resuscitate a dying one.
What does a money tree that has been submerged look like?
One of the first signs that a Money Tree isn’t doing well, after the soil, will be the leaves. Yellowing leaves on your money tree could mean that it is getting drowned, so keep an eye out for them. However, before you can be certain, you may need to perform certain diagnostic tests because yellowing leaves can also be a sign of other issues, such as overwatering.
Check the soil if you see fading leaves and think your plant needs watering. This could really be a sign that you overwatered the plant if it is still very damp or if the tree has been left to sit in water.
The likelihood that the Money Tree needs a decent drink is substantially higher if the soil is really dry and you are aware that you haven’t given the plant any water recently.
How come my money tree is sagging?
The issue:
Money trees have lovely, glossy leaves that are often long, dark green, and smooth in texture. This is one of the many reasons why they are so well-liked. Undoubtedly alarming is the drooping of these magnificent leaves. But why would the vegetation appear limp?
Why Is This Occurring?
Overwatering is the primary cause of almost all of the ailments your Money Tree is exhibiting. Your plant’s roots may have been harmed if you overwatered it. Damaged roots prevent the plant’s rest from receiving water and nutrients, which results in drooping or fading leaves.
UNDERWATERING: Oddly enough, giving your tree little water can also lead to droopy Money Trees. Examining the dirt will allow you to differentiate between them the best. Overwatering is probably at blame if the soil is wet or smells musty. Your problem is underwatering if the soil is completely dry and you also notice curled or wrinkled leaves in addition to the drooping.
The Approach:
OVERWATERING: Ensure that your money tree is positioned in the appropriate container if you believe it has been overwatered. The excess water cannot escape from pots with no drainage holes or with little holes that have clogged up, leaving the soil excessively damp. The Money Tree has to be moved into a new container or your drainage holes need to be unplugged. For the health of your plant, it’s also crucial to give it well-draining soil and a container that isn’t too large.
You should alter your watering schedule for a plant that is just a little bit overwatered. When the first 1-2 inches of soil are dry, only water the plant. If you notice any water in the saucer beneath your Money Tree, you need to dump it right away.
UNDERWATERING: Keep in mind that money trees are not a plant that can be neglected if underwatering is the problem. Even though the majority of money trees may only require watering every 7–10 days, you cannot let your plant go without water for too long. Never let the dirt in the pot get completely dry.
When adding water, make sure to add enough so that roughly 20% of it escapes via the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot. Verify that the area beneath the planter is dry and has no standing water. Check out this article if you’re still unsure of when to water your money tree or how to determine if you’re watering it sufficiently.
If you are positive that a watering problem is not the culprit, drooping occasionally results from shock. However, watering is still the most likely offender unless you’ve just relocated or repotted your plant.
Where should you plant a money tree?
Consider it for a second before you buy a money tree, fingers crossed!
It might develop from the tiny, tabletop-sized plant you bought into a fully grown tree that is six to eight feet tall. You have time to make the necessary preparations for a huge plant, but if the area is tiny and you intend to keep the plant for a long time, you could choose to go for a small money tree.
Put your money tree in a location with lots of bright, indirect light, such as a south or west-facing window, but be careful to keep it away from direct sunlight because it might burn the leaves. Money trees are sensitive to movement and other abrupt changes in the environment, just like their fellow tall houseplants, fiddle leaf figs. Pick a location away from chilly drafts because they can induce leaf drop. During the winter months, it’s also a good idea to keep them away from the hot, blowing air of your ventilation system.
Moderate to high humidity is ideal for money tree growth. Although it would not be the best location for a money tree in terms of feng shui, your bathroom is actually a terrific place for the plant. Your shower or bathtub’s added heat and steam simulate the plant’s natural environment.
Keep a humidity tray underneath the plant if you decide to install your money tree anywhere other than a bathroom. To accomplish this, place a layer of small pebbles in a shallow tray that is larger than your pot, and then fill the tray with water until the waterline is just below the pebbles’ tops. Make sure the container’s bottom doesn’t come into contact with the water before setting the plant in it on top. The air around your plant will become more humid when water evaporation takes place. Make careful to fill the tray with water on a regular basis.
Except for pruning a specimen that has outgrown your space or if a part of the plant is injured, pruning your money tree is rarely necessary. It is possible to grow new plants from healthy cuttings that have a few leaf nodes.
To stop illness from spreading after removing damaged roots, clean your blade with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol.
How do you spot a dying money plant?
The roots begin to rot and die when the soil is overly moist. Wilting, yellow or brown leaves, reduced growth, and a mildew odor are all indications of the root rot fungus. Carefully remove the money plant from its pot and look at the roots to check for root rot.
How can root rot in a money tree be detected?
Early detection of root rot symptoms is crucial for prompt intervention to keep your money tree alive. These are the most typical symptoms and warning signs:
- Its firm, bright green leaves begin to droop and turn yellow.
- The stiff trunk begins to feel supple and springy.
- The money tree’s once-rapid growth suddenly slows down.
- You detect an unsavory or musty odor coming from the dirt.
The leaves of money trees should be dark green, smooth, and shiny. Here are some images of leaves with distorted textures and discolorations:
It’s crucial to remember that indications of apparent root rot usually appear later. By the time you notice symptoms, the fungus infection may already be progressed. Additionally, other issues including nutrient deficiencies, a lack of sunlight, or pest infestations may be the cause of yellowing, droopy leaves.
Removing the money tree from the pot and looking at its roots is the only accurate test for money tree root rot. You’ll recognize root rot right away if it exists. We’ll examine these issue spots in more detail once I’ve indicated them with arrows:
Although potting soil might occasionally give them a bit of a brown appearance, healthy roots are typically white to tan in hue. Additionally, they ought to be hard to the touch rather than mushy or soft. Here is a clearer view of a damaged area:
Pay particular attention to the roots’ form as well. A healthy root should have a broad central branch that divides into numerous narrower branches, each of which eventually leads to a fine, hair-like root tip.
The first parts of the plant to rot are the delicate tips, and fungus damage makes the roots appear short and unfinished. This is due to the fact that those delicate tips have withered away or become so weak that they have broken off, as this picture illustrates:
The broken root tips I discovered in the dirt are shown here:
Surprisingly, the trunks appeared and felt fine.