Is Your Money Tree Still Alive? Here's How to Tell

The money tree is a plant that greatly fears waterlogged soil; its root system is not only underdeveloped but also very fine and weak, so it is very prone to root rot when overwatered, and if it is not rescued in time, it will gradually die. But sometimes when we see its branches and leaves turn yellow and fall off, especially when it becomes a bare trunk, it is not easy to tell whether it is still alive.

If we see that it is still sprouting and growing leaves, then there is no doubt that it is still alive and well. But sometimes the plant becomes a bare stalk with no sign of sprouting or growing leaves either - does that mean it is dead? Perhaps many plant lovers, seeing its branches and leaves turn yellow or all its leaves drop off, mistakenly think it has already died.

In fact, the money tree is not as fragile as we imagine; its vitality is quite tenacious. Besides being able to be propagated directly by cutting branches and taking cuttings, even if its roots and stems have rotted and the top has dried up, as long as the stem is still sound, there is still hope of saving it. As long as we protect the stem portion and then handle it correctly, after replanting there is still hope of getting it to take root and survive in about 1 month.

Of course, there are many ways to tell whether a money tree is still alive, but some methods are not advisable, otherwise a plant that is originally still alive may also have its normal growth affected by our improper handling, or even have its death accelerated. So we need to find a method that will not affect its growth but can still tell us its survival status.

First we need to observe the state of its branches and leaves; if there are no leaves, we need to check the root system, and finally check its stem. And only when the previous checking method cannot determine or cannot confirm whether it is still alive should the next method be used. But no matter how we check, generally we cannot directly take it out of the pot to investigate, otherwise even a living money tree may be affected by our improper handling.

So although by observing the branches and leaves we cannot tell whether it is alive, we can judge based on the roots. But it is not advisable to directly take it out of the pot; the simplest and most direct approach is to gently cut open the bark at the root-stem area and see whether the inside is still green. If rot or decay has already appeared inside, and the branches and leaves have also dried up or completely fallen off, it can usually be proven that it has died.

But if after we cut open the bark at the root-stem area, the inside still shows obvious green and also feels moist, then it can generally be judged that it is still alive, at least still alive at this stage. So we need to check and promptly adjust our care and management methods according to the current condition, then care for it scientifically and let it sprout and grow leaves again.