What to Do When a Money Tree Drops Its Leaves? Causes and Solutions

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a fairly common indoor foliage plant these days, and because its meaning is so auspicious, it is often kept as a feng shui plant. But in the process of growing a money tree, we often run into small problems, such as leaf drop. So why exactly does a money tree drop its leaves? And how should it be handled?

Money Tree

Lack of light, lack of nutrients, and growing medium that is sticky and heavy year after year or waterlogged can all easily cause a money tree kept indoors to drop its leaves or even wither and die. Therefore, the first priority is preventing root rot. Choose a growing medium that is breathable and drains well, water appropriately, follow the principle of watering when you see the need, and pay attention to indoor ventilation. Pay special attention to light intensity: too much shade will lead to poor photosynthesis due to insufficient light, which makes the plant weak and causes leaf drop or even death, so place potted plants in a spot indoors with good light transmission, and do not keep them indoors too long; after more than 2 months they should be moved outside to receive light. Finally, choose a money tree of appropriate size for indoor display. Indoor care of a money tree depends mainly on the nutrients stored in the plant and on photosynthesis. Therefore, choose a plant with a height above 1 m and thick, sturdy stems with dense, healthy foliage; such a plant has more roots and ample stored nutrients, and with proper management it is not prone to losing leaves or dying. By contrast, choosing a short plant with tender stems to place indoors means the plant still has few roots, insufficient stored nutrients, and insufficient indoor light; if it stays indoors too long, poor photosynthesis results, along with leaf drop or even death.

Why Does a Money Tree Drop Leaves Every Day? Causes of Money Tree Leaf Drop and How to Solve It

Potted money tree

I bought a potted money tree in summer and it had always grown quite well, but as soon as autumn arrived, it dropped leaves every day and was almost down to bare stems. I asked a few friends who grow them well, and most of them had run into this problem. A friend with experience said that when this happens, it may be caused by these two things:

1. Improper environment

Money tree leaf drop may be caused by an unsuitable indoor environment for the potted money tree. The first issue is lack of light, and the second is poor air circulation or poor ventilation. As everyone knows, any flowering plant or tree can only survive with light (or light intensity) and air. Otherwise, it cannot exist. This is because it needs light and air for photosynthesis, and then obtains nutrients and the conditions for survival.

If a potted money tree is placed in an indoor corner that gets no sunlight and also has no air circulation, then because it lacks the survival conditions of light and air, after being left there for a long time it will cause the money tree's leaves to fall off, or the phenomenon that leaves drop as soon as you touch them with a finger. So no matter what the season, the environment where potted flowers are placed must pay attention to light (light intensity) and air circulation.

2. Overwatering

Another cause of a money tree dropping leaves every day may be watering too much or too often, with the potting soil staying too wet for a long time. If you water the money tree too much or too often, the potting soil is often too wet, or the holes at the bottom of the pot are blocked and drainage is poor, and so on, all of these can cause breathing difficulty for the plant, backflow of water in the leaves, and asphyxiation and rot of the root system, which then leads to leaves falling in great numbers.

So watering should be reasonable and moderate, especially with winter coming; for a cold-sensitive plant like the money tree, controlling the dryness and moisture of the potting soil is crucial.

These two points are the main causes of a money tree dropping leaves every day in autumn, but you also need to judge according to your specific situation and find a solution based on the symptoms of the plant, so that you can grow a plant you are satisfied with.

Causes of Drooping Leaves on a Money Tree and Solutions

The money tree has a very auspicious symbolic meaning, and many people like to keep it at home or in the office. But in the process of growing a money tree, some people run into the phenomenon of drooping leaves and do not know what to do. This article introduces the causes of drooping leaves on a money tree and what to do when the leaves droop.

Cause one of drooping money tree leaves: overwatering

The money tree likes a hot and humid climate and has poor cold tolerance. Watering too much or even slight waterlogging can very easily cause the money tree's roots to rot from lack of oxygen; in many cases, drooping money tree leaves are caused by root rot.

Solution: Dilute chlorothalonil in water and pour it in. Before pouring in the chlorothalonil, the money tree's potting soil must be somewhat dry; if the soil is too moist, it will not be effective. After that, pay attention to watering; the money tree must be watered thoroughly, but absolutely must not be left waterlogged!

Cause two of drooping money tree leaves: too little light

When a money tree gets too little light, the branches grow weak and spindly, and the leaves likewise grow very weak and large, so they droop severely. diyju.com

Solution: If the money tree's branches have grown too long, just cut off a section; leaving about 30 cm above the main trunk is enough. Then move the money tree appropriately to a place with light, but not in direct strong sunlight. Apply some special fertilizer, and by autumn it will be the same as before.

Above we have introduced two common causes of drooping money tree leaves and their solutions. Next time you encounter drooping money tree leaves, you know what to do, right!