A Money Tree, or Pachira Aquatica, is one of the most resilient plants that cultivators and first-time growers can welcome into their collection. Gifted around the globe to wish success and luck, this plant rarely suffers from illnesses or diseases. However, Money Trees that are unhealthy can show symptoms through their leaves.
So, why is a Money Tree turning yellow, brown, white, or black? Money Trees are susceptible to the surrounding environment. Leaves’ discoloration is often due to improper watering, light conditions, humidity levels, and soil requirements. Spotting can also derive from pests infestations. In the most severe circumstances, you might have to deal with root rot.
Depending on what has caused the condition to appear and threaten your plant’s health, there is an appropriate solution and preventive measures to introduce. Keep learning more below!
Money Tree Leaves Turning Yellow
If you have noticed the leaves of your Money Tree to have started to turn yellow, several factors might be at the root of this condition. In most cases, you will be able to restore your plant’s health by following a few simple steps, as these often relate to environmental conditions rather than diseases.
However, before rushing to find a solution for your plant’s yellowing leaves, it is essential to keep in mind that little yellowing is entirely reasonable, especially during the growing season. Indeed, as new leaves start to appear, it is normal for the plant to shed the old ones. This technique allows the tree to save energy and nutrients and feed the baby leaves.
Causes
The most common causes of yellowing leaves are:
- Improper light conditions – natives of Central and South America, Money Trees are sun-loving plants that thrive when exposed to sources of bright, indirect sunlight. If overexposed, it is normal for the plant to become burned, which happens when the nutrients evaporate from the leaves before new ones can replace them. Oppositely, not enough light can cause them to fail to produce food through photosynthesis.
- Temperature fluctuations – if your area has experienced a sudden drop or rise in temperatures, you might notice that your plant is turning yellow. The change of climate might have caused a shock in the roots, which, in turn, can be preventing the plant from absorbing the nutrients it needs from the potting mix.
- Improper watering – referring to both overwatering and underwatering, this is the leading cause of yellowing leaves in most houseplants. Indeed, even expert cultivators might fall into the trap of watering the plant automatically, without checking whether it needs watering. Generally, you should always check whether the soil is dry or still moist before adding water.
As we have seen, the majority of the reasons behind yellowing leaves relate to the plant’s surrounding environment. However, it is essential to note that this condition is most likely to affect your plant during the transition periods between seasons.
Indeed, many cultivators might overlook the importance of changing the plant’s routine according to the present weather conditions.
Solutions and Prevention
If the leaves of your plant have started to turn yellow after you have moved it onto a different spot in your house or apartment, you can easily conclude that the issue derives from this move.
If you have not recently moved the plant yet the leaves are turning yellow, you should check whether there has been a sudden drop in temperatures or you have accidentally overwatered the plant. Adapt the routine accordingly to restore its health effortlessly.
Moreover, the transition months between seasons can be a delicate moment for your plant. Ensure your Money Tree’s potting mix is thoroughly dry before watering and move the plant onto a better lit spot during the winter months.
Lastly, while yellow leaves are one of the most straightforward conditions to resolve, it is essential not to overlook it. If caused by root rot, these are the first signs that your plant’s roots system is in decay, and your plant will soon be dying.
Is It Dying or Dead?
As you see the leaves of your plant turning yellow, you should check whether the plant is affected by root rot. This condition is among the most life-threatening for our houseplants, so you should exclude this possibility before attempting to treat other possible causes.
If the plant is affected by root rot and the leaves are turning yellow, a large part of the root system is already suffering and is no longer able to absorb nutrients. In this case, your plant is dying, and you should act immediately to remove the affected roots and replant the Money Tree into fresh soil.
If you are not dealing with root rot, the plant is most likely not dying, but showing you the symptoms that something is wrong in its environment.
Can It Be Saved?
If affected by root rot, the plant’s possibility of survival largely depends on the state of the illness. If this has already spread across the majority of the root system, you can attempt to repot your plant, but this might still result in the death of your plant.
Oppositely, if the leaves’ yellowing relates to abnormal environmental conditions, then you just need to move the plant in a more suitable spot and offer proper watering to restore its health.
Money Tree Leaves Turning Brown
Noticing your Money Tree turning brown can be worrying, mainly because several causes can lead to this condition. However, in most cases, the reasons behind it are similar to the ones that have led to the plant turning yellow. Indeed, if you have noticed your plant turning yellow and then slowly towards a brown color, this might be because the root causes were not addressed.
Causes
- Improper watering – Just as above, both overwatering and underwatering can lead to browning leaves. If the soil has been wet for days, your plant might not have been able to absorb the necessary nutrients and will turn brown. Oppositely, you can notice the soil becoming dry and separating from the pot’s sides in a Money Tree that doesn’t receive enough water.
- Low humidity – in conditions of low humidity, your Money Tree’s leaves might be turning yellow and then brown. This condition is because the transpiration process happens too quickly for the plant to replenish moisture in the leaves.
- Sunburn – if you notice the brown color affecting the edges of the leaves first and then taking over the body of the foliage, the culprit can be sunburn. This condition can show when the plant cannot replace the nutrients and moisture in the leaves fast enough. Indeed, the sun and high temperatures will cause this moisture to leave the leaves before fresh liquids can replace it.
- Fertilizer – In winter, you should not need to fertilize the plant. In summer, this can make a difference between a healthy and an unhealthy plant. Indeed, Money Trees need their soil to be moist and nutritious all year round. If you live in an area that tends to reach high temperatures over summer, you might need to consider adding diluted fertilizer into the soil once every two weeks.
Solutions and Prevention
If the plant’s leaves are turning brown due to too much light, they might be affected by sunscald. In this case, move the plant into a more shaded location and mist the leaves for a few days until they return to their original shape. This technique helps replenish the nutrients and moisture until the plant can absorb more by itself.
During the summer months, you should ensure that the plant is well-watered and fertilized. Oppositely, during the winter months, the plant’s leaves can be turning brown due to a lack of light.
Ultimately, if the condition is due to a low-humidity environment, you might struggle to control the level of humidity in your house or garden. If this is the case, it is recommendable to implement one of these solutions:
- Group several houseplants to control the humidity in the room
- Mist the leaves with water through a spray bottle
- Implement a humidity tray just below the pot. You can do so by filling a plate with gravel or stones and water.
Is It Dying or Dead?
Unless the plant is at one of the last stages of root rot and therefore dying, you can restore its health by ensuring that the soil supplies the stems and leaves with enough nutrients. Aside from ensuring that it is receiving enough water, you should also opt to add fertilizer.
Can It Be Saved?
A Money Tree that is showing browning leaves as a consequence of root rot might be going through the terminal phases of this illness. Indeed, brown leaves might mean that the root system has been unable to absorb the necessary nutrients for a long time, and it is rotting. This advanced form of root rot might make your plant impossible to save, but you should try transplanting it into fresh soil.
Money Tree Leaves Turning White
A Money Tree that is turning white might require prompt attention and care, particularly if this condition derives from a pests infestation.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 26, 2020.
Causes
- Pests – pests infestations are among the most common causes for the leaves of your Money Tree to be turning white. However, you will notice the leaves to show fuzzy, cotton-like spots if you are dealing with mealybugs. These insects tend to feed on the nutrients contained in the leaves and can quickly cause the death of your plant if not treated promptly.
- Rootbound – if your Money Tree has outgrown the pot, it might have become rootbound, which means that the roots are too close to each other and don’t have access to enough fresh nutrients. This condition can lead to several consequences, such as yellowing, browning, and drooping leaves. Essentially, this is a telltale sign of severe nutrient deficiency.
Solutions and Prevention
If you are dealing with pests like mealybugs, the most straightforward solution is to wipe off the insects from the leaves as soon as they appear. However, to do so, regularly check the leaves, especially if other plants in your household have been affected.
Moreover, If the infestation has been developing and not most leaves show signs of white webbing and spots, you might need to use an insecticide and remove the affected branches.
Alternatively, rootbound plants will show yellow, white, or drooping leaves. In this case, check the roots: if they are emerging from the soil’s surface or through the drainage holes, you should transplant the Money Tree into an adequate container.
Is It Dying or Dead?
In both cases, your plant can suffer from nutrients deficiency, which can lead to its death if not treated promptly.
Especially in the case of mealybugs, the Money Tree will not be able to replenish the nutrients in the leaves that have been affected by these pests. It is essential to immediately address both issues after the discovery to increase the chances of survival of your plant.
Can It Be Saved?
In both cases, this depends on the stage of the infestation or rootbound the plant is currently experiencing. However, in the case of root bound, you can attempt to transplant it into a larger pot at any point, even if the chances of survival are slim.
Oppositely, in the case of mealybugs, if the infestation spreads beyond repair, you might have to dispose of the Money Tree to preserve the health of other plants in your home.
Money Tree Leaves Turning Black
Causes
Seeing your Money Tree turning black is extremely rare. If this happens, the main culprits behind it usually are root rot or Foliage Blight. In some cases, the Blight represents one of the symptoms of a pathogen attack, the one causing the root rot.
In the case of Blight, you will see black or dark brown spots taking over the leaves. Aside from affecting the look and health of the plant, you should also check for root rot. Indeed, this condition can often derive from overwatering or improper drainage but can develop quickly and lead to the death of the plant.
As the roots become weak and exposed, it is easy for the Money Tree to become the target of pathogens and bacteria.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 26, 2020.
Solutions and Prevention
Money Trees naturally grow in swamps and moisture-rich soils. However, they should not be with “wet feet” for long. Indeed, stagnating water, rather than fresh liquids, can suffocate the roots, weakening them and causing them to rot.
A simple solution and prevention tactic is to implement a proper watering regimen, which you will need to adapt following the current season.
Is It Dying or Dead?
Root rot and other pathogens like Foliage Blight are among the most life-threatening conditions your plant can suffer from. Promptly identifying it and treating it is paramount to increase the chances of survival.
Can It Be Saved?
Attempting to save a plant that has been affected by root rot is a delicate process, but it can be successfully performed at home. Start by removing the plant from the pot, getting rid of the old soil. Then, proceed to wash the roots under running water to eliminate any potting mix residues still attached to the roots.
Once the roots are clean, you will be able to identify the rotting ones – these should be white and mushy. Using a pair of sterilized shears, cut off the part of the root system that is too ruinous to save it. Then proceed to replant the Money Tree into a new container with fresh soil. In the case of severely damaged plants, you might also have to consider pruning it.
Droopy Money Tree and Leaves Falling
Causes
If your Money Tree looks droopy and its younger leaves have started to fall prematurely, the causes could be the following:
- Overwatering
- Underwatering
- Improper lighting conditions
- Low humidity
- Pests infestations, such as mealybugs
- Root rot
- Root shock
- Rootbound
- Need for fertilizer
While understanding the precise cause can seem intimidating, discoloration of the leaves can indicate what is affecting your plant. While it might not be dying just yet, the plant might be suffering from a nutrient deficiency caused by the reasons seen above.
In any case, you should start checking for any eventual root rot and then analyze the environmental conditions. Correct and adapt the watering routine as required.
Money Tree Leaves Dying or Dead
In some cases, it is possible not to see any symptoms or telltale signs in the leaves of your plant, yet the Money Tree might be dying. Especially if it has contracted root rot, you won’t be seeing its signs for weeks, while the rotting degrades the root system.
If you have accidentally overwatered your plant and the floor has remained wet throughout the days, you should check for root rot even if the leaves still seem healthy. Don’t forget that overwatering can be a consequence of a single episode and an improper watering routine.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 26, 2020.
Final Thoughts
Money Trees are resilient plants that will rarely trouble their owners. However, an improper living environment can cause leaves to appear wilted, droopy, and discolored. Generally, Money Trees prefer a highly humid climate, bright, indirect sunlight, generous watering, and stable temperatures. If any of these factors are missing, you should review your routine.