What to Do When a Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) Has Yellow Leaves? Find the Cause and Fix It Easily

The money tree, botanically known as Pachira aquatica, is a plant in the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. It symbolizes “wealth”, grows 4-5 m tall, has an umbrella-like shape, tolerates shade fairly well, and is easy to care for, making it very suitable for indoor cultivation. Although it is easy to care for, improper care can still cause its leaves to turn yellow. So, what should you do when a money tree has yellow leaves? In fact, you can solve the problem as long as you find the cause!

1. Why is the money tree called by this name?

The money tree was introduced from abroad, and its English name is Pachira macrocarpa. Generally speaking, we give it a Chinese name based on the pronunciation of its English name, so it came to be called “Pa Cai La Ma Ke Luo Ka Ba”. The first part was read by the people of Guangdong, who introduced it earliest, as “Fa Cai La” (meaning “getting rich”), and the second part was read as “Ma La Ba Li”. Therefore, this plant has two names: the auspicious-sounding “money tree” and the somewhat puzzling “Malabar chestnut”.

2. What should you do when a money tree has yellow leaves?

First, you need to find the cause of the yellow leaves on the money tree, and only then can you prescribe the right remedy and find a solution. So, what are the causes of yellow leaves on a money tree?

Cause 1: Soil alkalization. The money tree prefers acidic soil. When the soil becomes alkaline, the plant suffers from nutritional deficiency because it lacks absorbable elements such as soluble iron, and the final result is that the leaves gradually wither and turn yellow.

Solution: Apply a certain amount of ferrous sulfate to the soil. This can both increase soil fertility and acidify the soil. Note: do not use vinegar. Although vinegar can quickly make the soil acidic, because this method is too aggressive, it will damage the organic matter in the soil and reduce soil fertility.

Cause 2: Direct strong sunlight or excessive shade. The money tree likes sunlight, but it does not tolerate direct strong light. Scorching sun exposure will cause the tips and edges of young leaves to scorch, or the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. It also does not like excessive shade. If it is placed in a shaded spot or a place with insufficient light, the newly grown branches and leaves will be pale yellow and leggy, while the old leaves will become dull and fall off in large numbers.

Solution: If it is exposed to direct strong light, it is recommended to move the plant to a semi-shaded place and water it appropriately. The yellow leaves will slowly fall off, and once new buds grow, it will be fine. If the problem is excessive shade, it is recommended to place the plant in a ventilated spot on a balcony or somewhere with scattered light.

Cause 3: Temperature too high or too low. The money tree likes a warm environment, and the suitable temperature for growth is 20°C~30°C. If the temperature is too high, transpiration becomes too strong, and the roots cannot supply enough water and nutrients, so the leaves gradually dry up and turn yellow. If the temperature is too low, for example when the winter temperature is below 16°C, the leaves are prone to turning yellow and falling off, and below 10°C it is very easy for the plant to die.

Solution: If the temperature is too high, promptly move the plant to a cool place and sprinkle water to lower the temperature. If the temperature is too low, appropriately raise the care temperature to avoid cold damage to the plant.

Cause 4: Overwatering. The money tree likes a moist environment, but overwatering causes waterlogging, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the soil, hindering the plant's normal respiration and absorption of water and nutrients, and in severe cases causing root rot. After being affected, the young leaves first turn pale yellow, and then the old leaves gradually turn yellow as well.

Solution: Immediately control watering, move the money tree to a ventilated place and loosen the soil so the water in the soil can evaporate quickly. You can also place a towel or sponge at the bottom of the flowerpot to absorb water, replacing it with a new one once it is soaked through. You can also use a hair dryer to blow on it. If none of these work, then you can only change the soil.

Cause 5: Underwatering. Because the money tree likes a moist environment, if you water too little, the soil surface may crack, or the top of the soil may be moist while the bottom is dry. This affects the roots' absorption of water, causing the leaves to become dull and lusterless. First the lower old leaves age, and then they gradually wither and fall off from the bottom upward.

Solution: If the soil surface has cracked, water gradually. First moisten the soil surface, watering a little at a time, and then gradually water thoroughly. Do not water thoroughly all at once, lest the roots swell from absorbing water and growth is affected.

Cause 6: Too much fertilizer or long-term lack of fertilizer. The nutrients absorbed by the money tree are limited. If too much fertilizer is applied, the remaining fertilizer will burn the roots and stems of the money tree, causing root rot and thus yellow leaves. If fertilizer is lacking for a long time, the soil will be deficient in nitrogen and other nutrients, causing the branches and leaves to become weak and the leaves to be thin and yellow.

Solution: If there is too much fertilizer, water promptly to dilute the nutrients in the soil and reduce fertility. If the roots have already rotted, take the plant out of the pot, clean up the rotten parts, replace with new soil, and replant. If fertilizer has been lacking for a long time, promptly repot it and replace with new loose, fertile culture soil, or gradually apply additional dilute decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound flower fertilizer.

Cause 7: Branches and leaves too dense. The money tree has strong growth ability. If the branches and leaves are too dense, the branches and leaves hidden at the bottom will turn yellow and droop because of insufficient light and poor ventilation.

Solution: You can prune part of the branches so that air and light can penetrate.

Cause 8: Strong irritation. When the money tree is subjected to strong irritation, such as using pesticide at too high a concentration, being polluted by toxic gases, or suddenly being watered with cold water when the temperature is high, the leaves are prone to turning yellow and scorching, and the whole plant may even die.

Solution: Use pesticides reasonably, remove sources of air pollution, and do not water with cold water around midday in midsummer.

Cause 9: Damage from diseases and pests. When the money tree is affected by diseases and pests, such as leaf spot disease, it causes local yellow spots or patches on the leaves. Attack by pests such as scale insects and red spider mites also causes local yellowing, withering, and even falling off of the leaves.

Solution: Strengthen ventilation and promptly spray chemicals for prevention and control. If the plant is withering very severely, it is recommended to buy a new pot.

3. How often should a money tree generally be watered?

The money tree is fairly tolerant of moisture and also somewhat tolerant of drought. When watering, touch its soil first and water only after the potting soil is dry. When watering, water thoroughly. Basically, water once a week in summer, once a month in winter, and once every half month in spring and autumn. There must be no waterlogging, otherwise it will cause root rot.

In summer, you can water in the cooler morning or evening, with morning watering being best. At noon the temperature is high, so it is not suitable to water. In winter, when the temperature is low, it is better to water between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. In spring and autumn, because both temperature and humidity are relatively suitable, you can choose to water before the sun sets in the evening.

The money tree likes slightly acidic water. Therefore, you can choose natural water such as rainwater or river water. If it is tap water from home, it is better to let it sit for 1-2 days before watering. You can also appropriately apply some nutrient solution. Do not pour tea or beverages into it, as this is harmful to the plant's growth.

Summary: Although the money tree is easy to care for, improper care can also cause its leaves to turn yellow. You can find the corresponding solution according to the specific cause. The money tree does not have a very large demand for water, so you can wait until the potting soil is dry before watering, and the number of waterings differs from season to season. Note that there must be no waterlogging, otherwise the roots will rot.