How do you fix yellowing leaves on a money tree?
The money tree is also known as Malabar chestnut, Guiana chestnut, and goose-foot money, among other names. It symbolizes bringing in wealth, which is why many people are willing to grow one at home. In today's fast-paced life, not everyone has that much time to care for these plants, so it can also get sick and develop symptoms such as yellowing leaves. Below, let's take a look at what to do when a money tree's leaves turn yellow.
Improper watering
[Cause] The money tree likes a warm and humid climate environment, and the potting soil is best kept moist, but when grown indoors, generally do not water until the potting soil is dry, and when you do water, water thoroughly. Because if you do not water thoroughly and only wet the top while the bottom stays dry, it will affect nutrient absorption, causing the leaf color to become dull and lusterless, and gradually wither and yellow from bottom to top and drop off.
[Solution] For yellowing money tree leaves caused by improper watering, you need to water sparingly and mist frequently, so that it gradually recovers before returning to normal watering.
Unsuitable light
[Cause] The money tree likes light, but cannot tolerate strong direct light; semi-shade or diffused light is best, and only in winter does it need better light conditions to grow well. If kept in shade or a dimly lit place for a long time, yellowing leaves and leaf drop will occur, and in severe cases it may even wither and die.
[Solution] Starting in late April, you can choose a sunny, warm midday to move the pot outdoors or onto a balcony to receive direct sunlight for 1 to 2 hours, then gradually extend the time; this will give very good growing results.
Pests and diseases
[Cause] Leaf spot disease is a common ailment of the money tree; the symptoms are that a few spots appear first, then the spots gradually expand and extend over the entire leaf, and the leaf drops off. As for pests, the main problems are red spider mites and scale insects.
[Solution] For leaf spot disease, you can spray garlic juice to sterilize; for red spider mites, you can use mie jing, ke man, and dicofol for effective control; for scale insects, when there are few, you can wipe them clean with a cloth strip, and when there are many, you can spray a solution of essential balm and laundry detergent at 0.2% for control.
Too much fertilizer
[Cause] During the suitable temperature period for growth, the money tree should be fertilized regularly to ensure lush growth; generally, apply a light fertilizer once about every 20 days, and when repotting, add well-rotted base fertilizer. But if too much fertilizer is applied, or the fertilizer applied is not rotted, it will cause the money tree's roots to burn, resulting in yellowing and dropping leaves.
[Solution] The money tree does not need fertilizer when the soil is fertile enough. If it has been kept for a long time, you can consider giving it a light fertilizer; never use concentrated fertilizer. For fertilizing, you can use some common foliage fertilizers, and be sure to use light fertilizer.
Too much dust
[Cause] If too much dust accumulates on the money tree's leaves, it not only affects its appearance but also affects the plant's respiration and photosynthesis, thus causing the leaves to turn yellow.
[Solution] The dust should be wiped off promptly.