Why Are the Leaves of Your Money Tree Turning Yellow? Six Remedies to Save It
Many people do not know what Pachira aquatica is, but mention its common name, the money tree, and everyone knows it. The money tree is a small tree in the Malvaceae family and also a popular potted plant, widely welcomed for its auspicious name and symbolism. Quite a few people discover during the growing process that some leaves turn yellow, so why do money tree leaves turn yellow? Six correct remedies to teach you!
I. Causes of Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree
1. Improper Watering
Too little water causes the leaves to turn yellow. The money tree originates from the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan and likes a warm, humid climate. If it is watered too little, the surface of the potting soil stays moist while the lower layers dry out, which affects the root system's absorption of nutrients, causing the leaves to wither and yellow from the bottom up, and even to drop off.
Too much water also causes the leaves to turn yellow. Overwatering leaves the root system soaking in overly wet soil for a long time, which easily causes the roots and stems to rot, leading to leaves withering and yellowing from the bottom up, dropping off, and even the death of the entire plant.
2. Improper Lighting
Too much light causes the leaves to turn yellow. Although the money tree likes sunlight, it cannot withstand harsh sun exposure; scorching sun raises the surface temperature of the leaves, speeds up water loss from the leaves, and scorches the leaf tissues, causing the money tree leaves to turn yellow.
Too much shade also causes the leaves to turn yellow. The money tree likes light; if it is kept in a shaded place for a long time, the leaves become dull and lusterless, and eventually turn yellow and drop off.
3. Improper Nutrition
Poor nutrition causes the leaves to turn yellow. When growing a money tree, you can fertilize it appropriately, and pouring in rice-washing water or using a special fertilizer mix is fine; otherwise the money tree easily suffers from nutritional deficiency, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
Too much fertilizer also causes the leaves to turn yellow. Excessive fertilizer scorches the roots and stems of the plant, damaging them and causing the leaves to turn yellow.
4. Improper Temperature
Too high a temperature causes the leaves to turn yellow. The money tree likes a humid environment; when the temperature is too high, transpiration becomes too strong and water is lost too quickly, causing the leaves to dry out and turn yellow.
Too low a temperature also causes the leaves to turn yellow. The money tree is not cold-resistant; once the temperature drops below 16° you should move an outdoor money tree indoors, and once it drops below 10°, the plant can easily die.
5. Pests and Diseases
When the money tree is affected by pests and diseases, the leaves also turn yellow. Common diseases of the money tree include leaf spot, and common pests include red spider mites and scale insects.
6. Overly Dense Branches and Leaves
The money tree has strong adaptability and vigorous vitality, and in a suitable environment its branches and leaves grow faster. Overly dense branches and leaves prevent the inner leaves from getting sunlight and also affect ventilation, causing the plant's leaves to turn yellow and droop.
II. How to Remedy Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree
1. Water in Time and Repot
When you have watered too little, replenish the water in time: first moisten the surface soil, then slowly add more water, aiming to water thoroughly. When you have watered too much, repot in time, loosen the soil, ensure good ventilation, and let the overly wet soil dry out quickly.
2. Move the Plant to Partial Shade
Whether the money tree's leaves turned yellow from excessive sun exposure or from a lack of sunlight, the best method is to move it to a partially shaded spot and water it appropriately while keeping it well ventilated. The plant needs time to recover; after a while the yellowed leaves will drop off and new leaves will grow.
3. Trim the Roots and Change the Soil
If the money tree's roots have rotted due to over-fertilizing, clean away the rotten parts of the plant, change the soil and replant it.
4. Cool It Down or Warm It Up
If the leaves turn yellow in summer because the temperature is too high, move the plant to a cool place and sprinkle water to cool it down. In winter, move the money tree indoors in time so the plant does not get frostbitten.
5. Spray with Pesticides
For the pests and diseases that appear on the money tree, choose the corresponding pesticides to kill insects and fungi, and do a good job of pest control.
6. Prune in Time
For a money tree whose growth is too dense, take pruning measures on the branches; do not be reluctant to cut them off. Proper pruning is meant to make the plant grow better.
The above is an introduction to the causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree and the remedies. If you have a money tree at home and notice its leaves turning yellow, you can refer to the remedies in this article and give them a try!