Seeing your houseplant grow so beautifully after all the painstaking effort you put into it can be very healing.
From their full foliage to their blooms, for those that have, to the way your house looks 100 times better with them in it, growing a houseplant is one of the most rewarding ventures yet.
This is why it is heartbreaking to see our leaves falling off our plants. Money trees, Pachira Aquatica, are the perfect indoor plants and are relatively easy to take care of.
If you have noticed some leaves drooping off your money tree plant, do not fear. This article will discuss potential causes and remedies and give tips on caring for them so the issue doesn’t repeat itself.
7 Causes of Money Tree Leaves Falling
Losing leaves on your money tree plant can be because of different factors. Let’s take a good look at each one.
Overwatering
It seems odd that an element as essential as water could be responsible for damaging your plant. Too much of everything is indeed bad.
Overwatering can be caused by either giving your plant too much water at a time or watering too frequently, or a combination of both.
In any of these scenarios, the soil doesn’t drain out, retaining the excess water. This results in the roots of your plant getting choked, leaving them unable to absorb nutrients from the soil.
Waterlogged roots can cause root rot, leading to the death of your plant.
Underwatering
If you underwater your money tree for an extended period, the plant will get dehydrated because the soil will be too dry, and then the roots will not be able to absorb enough water and nutrients for the plant.
The leaves would start to fall off due to a lack of water and nutrients.
A small sign of dehydration in your plants is the leaves beginning to look wrinkled and curled.
Improper Lighting
The money tree loves the sun but to a certain extent. Too much direct sunlight for a long time would lead to leaf scorch, where the leaves will begin to dehydrate, brown, and drop. It may also kill the plant.
Too little light can still be an issue. Keeping your money tree in an area with insufficient lighting can slow down the plant’s growth, making it unable to support its foliage, and the plant will slowly drop leaves.
Unstable temperature
Stress causes leaf loss in plants, and a sudden temperature change is one of the causes of that stress.
Money Tree grows best in temperatures between 65 degrees Fahrenheit through 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything out of this range may spell trouble for you.
When the temperature changes with the change of season, it may cause stress for your plant, resulting in the dropping of leaves.
Improper fertilization
Improper fertilization may manifest in the form of under-fertilization or over-fertilization.
Money trees need nutrients to help them survive. Usually, they get these nutrients from the soil they are planted in.
However, after a few months, their store would get depleted, and undernutrition would occur if it is not supplemented.
While feeding your money tree will help boost its growth, your plant can get burned when too much fertilizer is applied. If the roots burn, the plant cannot absorb the nutrients, leading to the loss of leaves.
Pests
Like other common houseplants, the money tree gets affected by pests. Some common ones are spider mites, mealybugs, gnats, and aphids.
These pests suck out the sap containing the plant’s nutrients. This reduced availability of the much-needed nutrients weakens the plant, and the leaves start to brown, then drop off.
Aging
Lastly, we know nothing lasts forever, not even the leaves on your money tree plant.
As your plant matures, it slowly lets go of the older leaves to focus all its energy on growing.
Aging is a natural phenomenon, and it is nothing to worry about. Just keep an eye on the rate at which these leaves are falling.
If it is more than average, check out the list above to determine the possible cause of this increased leaves loss.
How to Fix Leaves Falling Off Money Tree
Now that you know what could make your money tree leaves drop, here is what you should do to help your plant recover.
1. If your plant is overwatered, you need to change your watering schedule. Only water your plant if the soil is dry.
If you find any indication of root rot in your money tree plant, you’ll need to remove it from the current pot and gently rinse away enough soil to allow you a better view of the roots.
Then cut away any rotted roots, stems, and anything that looks unhealthy. Finally, report your money tree.
Use a new pot that has drainage holes at its bottom. If you find out that the potting mix is still soggy, change it to a better draining one.
2. If underwatering is the problem with your plant, you’ll need to increase the amount of water you give it.
For a start, soak your money tree thoroughly, then let the excess water drain out. Then resume watering only when the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil is dry.
3. If your money tree suffers from excess direct sunlight or not enough light, the best thing for you to do is to move it someplace where it can still receive bright but indirect light, like in front of a glass window.
4. Move your money tree plant inside a room with a steady temperature range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the winter, keep your plant inside to protect it from cold drafts and frost. Also, try as much as possible to keep it dry. Watering your plant during the winter may cause the roots to freeze.
Keep your money tree plant away from scorching places like the fireplace, furnaces, and air vents.
5. When applying fertilizer to your plant, always follow the directions and resist adding a little more.
It is preferable to use a liquid fertilizer. Always seek more information on how to fertilize your money tree plant.
6. If you have a pest-infested money tree plant, you can use a cotton ball to apply alcohol to all the affected areas or use a pesticide safe enough for your plant.
How to Care for Your Money Tree
While it’s great that your plant is now on its recovery journey, it is also nice to know how to keep it healthy so it doesn’t relapse.
- Supply your plant with indirect bright light. You can rotate it regularly to achieve an even light distribution.
- Keep your plant in a rich potting mix with good drainage, and make sure your pit has holes at its bottom to prevent water retention.
- Water your plant well, and allow the soil to dry before the next watering.
- Keep your plant in the ideal temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prune any dead, dying, or damaged leaf, stem, trunk, or root to keep your plant healthy.
- Fertilize your money tree plant twice a year and repot every year or two in a larger pot to encourage growth.
If your money tree plant is dropping leaves, it is best to take action immediately. Find out the underlying cause and a solution; hopefully, the list above will be helpful to you in that regard.
Finally, be patient. Money trees are known to be resilient, so your plant has a good chance of survival. Just give it time, and you will see it thrive again.