What to Do When the Leaves of a Money Tree Plant Turn Yellow? Causes and Solutions
The money tree plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly known as the ZZ plant) is a perennial herbaceous plant. In recent years, along with the surge in popularity of succulents, the money tree plant has also become very popular, and many people have grown it at home. It gets its name because its leaves are thick and fleshy, arranged neatly like strings of copper coins. But sometimes we find that its leaves turn yellow and soft, which greatly diminishes its ornamental value. Below, Qinnong Net explains why this plant's leaves turn yellow and soft, and how to deal with such situations.
When the leaves of a money tree plant turn yellow and soft, it is usually caused by a poor growing environment. The main influencing factors are temperature, light, and pests and diseases. Below, Qinnong Net introduces each of these one by one and provides the corresponding solutions.
1. Temperature factors
In winter, when the temperature drops below 5°C, if the soil is also very wet at this time, it will directly cause the leaves of the money tree plant to freeze and collapse, turning yellow and soft; in severe cases, it can also cause its roots to rot or even die.
Prevention and treatment: When growing a money tree plant in winter, you must control the temperature well. The lowest temperature must be kept above 10°C, and the potting soil must be kept dry.
2. Light factors
In hot summer weather, sunlight is abundant, and they are easily sunburned. When several consecutive cloudy days suddenly turn into sunny days, they also cannot adapt. There is another similar situation: when a plant kept indoors for a long time is suddenly moved outdoors, and the money tree plant is suddenly exposed to the sun, its leaves are especially prone to sunburn, and then they turn yellow and soft.
Prevention and treatment: Give the money tree plant appropriate sunlight, but it must not be suddenly exposed to intense sunlight. In summer, it should be kept indoors or in a semi-shaded environment. After consecutive rainy days, shade it promptly.
3. Disease effects
When a money tree plant suffers from disease, round lesions appear on the leaves, ranging in color from grayish brown to yellowish brown. This generally occurs under conditions of excessively high temperature, excessively high humidity, and poor ventilation.
Prevention and treatment: Once symptoms are discovered, promptly remove the diseased leaves to prevent mutual infection between diseased leaves. In addition, pesticide can be sprayed to control pests, once every ten days; spraying three or four times can achieve the effect of prevention and treatment.
4. Pest effects
When pest damage occurs, its leaves can also turn yellow and soft. This generally happens in environments with poor ventilation and poor light, where it is especially vulnerable to attack by scale insects.
Prevention and treatment: When pest damage occurs, first scrape the insects off cleanly; you can use clear tape to stick them off or a damp cloth to wipe them off. In addition, pesticide can be sprayed to kill the insects, with very good results.
The above is Qinnong's introduction to the causes of yellowing and softening leaves in money tree plants and the corresponding solutions. Growing a money tree plant does not require much space; it can be placed directly on a desk, balcony, or similar places. Its ornamental value is very high, so friends who like succulents might as well buy a pot and try growing one.