Money tree plant very sick - Ask Extension
Hello. About a year and half ago I ordered a money tree plant thru Amazon. It was very healthy for the first year or so. Now it appears very ill. ...
Knowledgebase
Money tree plant very sick #890381
Asked November 29, 2024, 8:07 AM EST
Hello. About a year and half ago I ordered a money tree plant thru Amazon. It was very healthy for the first year or so. Now it appears very ill. Yellow spots on leaves and dropping leaves. I water about every 7-10 days as needed. It’s near a window in our sunroom and I’m wondering if it’s too cold? Any advice for me? I’m actually not sure I can save it at this point…see pictures. I don’t see any evidence of spider mites.
Eaton County Michigan
Expert Response
It sounds like your Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is experiencing some stress that is manifesting as yellow spots and leaf drop. Many of the leaves look fine, so I am wondering if the yellow leaves are from the same stem. If so, the problem may be limited to that stem. Regardless of where the leaves originate, from your description, a few potential issues might be at play here.
1. Watering Practices: Money Trees prefer to have the top two - 4 inches of soil dry out before the next watering. If the soil is kept too wet, it can lead to root rot, which could explain the yellowing leaves and leaf drop. It's important to ensure that the pot has good drainage and that excess water is not left sitting in the saucer beneath the pot.
2. Temperature Considerations: Being located in a sunroom might expose the plant to temperature fluctuations, especially if it's near a drafty window. Money Trees thrive in stable temperatures and may not tolerate cold drafts well. Ensure that the temperature around the plant doesn't drop significantly during the night .
3. Humidity Levels: These plants enjoy humidity, so if your sunroom is dry (especially during winter heating), this could contribute to the yellowing of leaves. Consider misting the leaves or placing a humidifier nearby.
4. Fertilizer: Have you been fertilizing your plant, especially during the growing season? Try fertilizing with a balance liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks at half the suggested rate on the packaging.
Given that you haven't noticed spider mites but are still seeing distress in your plant, it might also be worth checking for any signs of root rot. If you've had overly wet conditions, inspecting the roots can help determine if they are healthy (white and firm) or rotten (brown and mushy). If the roots are unhealthy, repotting into fresh, well-draining soil may be necessary.
I hope that by adjusting some of these maintainance practices, you can save your plant.
1. Watering Practices: Money Trees prefer to have the top two - 4 inches of soil dry out before the next watering. If the soil is kept too wet, it can lead to root rot, which could explain the yellowing leaves and leaf drop. It's important to ensure that the pot has good drainage and that excess water is not left sitting in the saucer beneath the pot.
2. Temperature Considerations: Being located in a sunroom might expose the plant to temperature fluctuations, especially if it's near a drafty window. Money Trees thrive in stable temperatures and may not tolerate cold drafts well. Ensure that the temperature around the plant doesn't drop significantly during the night .
3. Humidity Levels: These plants enjoy humidity, so if your sunroom is dry (especially during winter heating), this could contribute to the yellowing of leaves. Consider misting the leaves or placing a humidifier nearby.
4. Fertilizer: Have you been fertilizing your plant, especially during the growing season? Try fertilizing with a balance liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks at half the suggested rate on the packaging.
Given that you haven't noticed spider mites but are still seeing distress in your plant, it might also be worth checking for any signs of root rot. If you've had overly wet conditions, inspecting the roots can help determine if they are healthy (white and firm) or rotten (brown and mushy). If the roots are unhealthy, repotting into fresh, well-draining soil may be necessary.
I hope that by adjusting some of these maintainance practices, you can save your plant.
