Why Is My Money Tree Plant Losing Leaves

In order to thrive, money tree plants require frequent watering, sufficient drainage, inconspicuous sunshine, and consistent temperatures. Any of these components not present may result in leaf loss.

Too much or too little water

Very little water is required for a 5-inch money tree plant. only three teaspoons of water or two ice cubes once every week.

You can make sure your money tree is getting the appropriate amount of water by using the ice cube watering technique. Your leaf loss may be a result of poor drainage, assuming you are watering yours regularly and not overwatering or underwatering.

To avoid standing water, which can result in root rot or soggy or dead trunks, keep your money tree in a container with an elevated bottom that is integrated into the pot. Use potting material that allows for good drainage as well.

Too much direct sunlight

Money tree plants’ leaves can become burned and lose their leaves if they receive too much direct sunshine.

During the summer, place your money tree plant close to a south-facing window; in the winter, move it to an east window. Once a week, rotate it 90 degrees to make sure it gets the proper amount of light for uniform growth.

Temperature fluctuations

The money tree plant thrives best in a roomy environment. Place it away from vents for heating or cooling or outside if the temperature is predicted to fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why are my money tree’s leaves falling off?

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.

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 frequently do I need to water my money tree?

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. Naturally, if your plant is receiving more light, you’ll also need to increase its water intake to prevent it from being overly dry.

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.

How much sunlight are money trees required to grow?

The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica), one of the most recognizable indoor plants, with a striking five-leaf design, bright green coloring, and a peculiar braided trunk. The Malabar Chestnut, often known as the Money Tree, is a tree native to Mexico and South America that may reach heights of 60 feet, despite the fact that we utilize it as an indoor potted plant. (Don’t worry, the money tree in your pot won’t grow as tall.)

All year long, we adore these luscious indoor plants, but Chinese New Year is a particularly lucky time to have them! These plants are said to bring luck and wealth in the new year if you keep one in your house or give them as gifts. (They welcome pets as well.) We are here to provide you with all the advice you require to maintain your money tree and keep your good fortune blossoming.

Top 5 Tips for Growing Money Trees

Probably the most important query you have is if your Money Tree will genuinely produce fifty dollar bills. Sorry to disappoint you everybody, but no matter how diligently you water and fertilize your plant, it will only produce beautiful foliage rather than cash. But that’s enough for us!

#1Light it Up in So Many Ways

Fortunately, the Money Tree has simple lighting requirements and is incredibly location-flexible! Bright light is what your plant needs, but avoid direct sunshine. Its leaves appreciate a bright window with a south or east facing view, but they will scorch in the heat of the sun.

Its capacity to flourish under fluorescent lighting also astounds us, making it the ideal tropical plant for the workplace! (Especially given the favorable reputation of The Money Tree)

#2Give it a Permanent Home

The Money Tree is unquestionably not a nomad and adores a secure setting. The plant will probably drop all of its leaves in protest if you move it (once it is established in a spot that meets its demands)! Although they will grow back, for a while the tree will remain naked. Keep the temperature between 16 and 26 °C (65 and 80 °F) and keep any hot or cold drafts at a minimum.

#3Hydrate and Forget About it

Water the Malabar Chestnut thoroughly, letting the water run out of the drainage holes in the bottom of your container because this tree enjoys chugging water. But once the soil has been moistened, you should let it alone! Before you re-water your Money Tree, let it dry out (at least the top two to four inches of soil). If left wet over an extended period of time, its roots will decay.

#4Keep it Well Fed

Feed your Money Tree regularly. The plant quickly exhausts the nutrients in the soil as it grows taller with more leaves. You must provide additional nutrition to maintain the health and happiness of your indoor plants. Every time you water, apply a balanced fertilizer at half strength to the money tree. The simplest fertilizer to use, particularly for smaller pots, is liquid or water soluble fertilizer. You can skip feeding your plant during the cold months.

#5Don’t Let Your Luck Evaporate!

This plant is native to Mexico and South America, where the humidity levels are much higher than those we typically experience in our homes and workplaces. The Money Tree enjoys being misted every day for this reason. Try putting the pot in a tray with pebbles and water if you don’t want to make this a regular occurrence. More humidity will be added to the air as it evaporations.

The Money Tree is a low-maintenance home plant that is sure to become a favorite. Over the next months and years, it will pay you back in green dividends (floral growth, not cash). I’m sending you plenty of luck and good fortune!

For your Money Tree, save and print our simple maintenance guide! Simply right-click the image to the right to save it.

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.

How can an overwatered money tree be identified?

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).

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 being 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.

Where in the home should a money tree be located?

One of the simplest trees to cultivate inside is Pachira aquatica, most commonly known as the money tree plant. This tropical tree is frequently used to provide some green to homes, workplaces, lobbies, dining establishments, and other public areas. A money tree has hand-shaped leaves and is a low-maintenance, pet-friendly plant. It is indigenous to Central America and grows enormous, green pods with tasty, chestnut-like seeds within.

Although money trees can reach heights of up to 60 feet in the wild, they can also be preserved as bonsai trees or small indoor trees that only reach heights of up to eight feet. Although the two species have different fruits and flowers, a closely related species known as the Pachiraglabra, or saba tree, is frequently offered for sale as a money tree. Although it is doubtful that a money tree planted as a houseplant would bloom, you can still appreciate its large, hand-shaped leaves indoors.

You’ll find that multiple plants are frequently marketed growing together in a braid when looking for a money tree. When the young plants’ stems are still green or no broader than a half-inch across, which are thicker at the bottom to help conserve water, this is done.

When placed in the southeast corner of your home or the area connected with money, money trees—a popular indoor plant in feng shui—are believed to bring good financial fortune. According to feng shui, it’s unlucky to put a money tree in your bathroom since its energizing vitality can be sapped. To find out how to raise and take care of your money tree, keep reading.

How can a money tree be kept alive without leaves?

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.

How can I tell if my money plant is in trouble?

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.