Causes of Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree and How to Fix Them

The money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a fairly common foliage plant, and many plant lovers find that after keeping their money tree for a while, its leaves start to turn yellow, and they don't know what to do about it. In fact, as long as you identify the right cause, it isn't hard to figure out why the leaves are yellowing. Below, let's first go over some basic knowledge, and don't just skim over it, because understanding a plant's habits is very important when growing plants.

The habits of the money tree:

The money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) originates from the tropical (grassland) climate zone of eastern Africa, where rainfall is relatively low. It likes warm, hot and slightly dry, semi-shady environments with little variation in average annual temperature. It is relatively tolerant of drought, but afraid of cold, and it dislikes strong direct sunlight and exposure. It fears heavy, sticky soil and water accumulation in the pot. If the pot soil has poor drainage and aeration, its tubers easily rot. It requires loose, fertile soil that drains well, is rich in organic matter, and is acidic to slightly acidic. Its sprouting ability is strong: after cutting off the thick compound leaves, new leaves quickly emerge from the top of its tubers.

Analysis of the causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree:

Many plant lovers are extremely attentive to their plants, watering three times a day and "stroking" them numerous times. The first taboo in growing plants is overwatering; the second taboo is constantly fiddling with the plants. To continue on the causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree: plant leaves generally turn yellow for three reasons - first, water; second, fertilizer; third, drought. I believe no plant lover's money tree is suffering from drought, so that leaves water and fertilizer. Fertilizer is easy to judge as to whether it is excessive, so that leaves water. Because the money tree is a plant with tubers, its roots easily rot from water accumulation, and root problems correspondingly cause yellow leaves. At this point, you should handle it according to the actual situation, such as reducing watering, placing it in a ventilated spot, and so on.

In addition, plants that have been overwatered are very hard to restore, so plant lovers must remember not to overwater.

What to Do About Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree What to Do About Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree

The money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) originates from the tropical (grassland) climate zone of eastern Africa, where rainfall is relatively low. It likes warm, hot and slightly dry, semi-shady environments with little variation in average annual temperature. It is relatively tolerant of drought, but afraid of cold, and it dislikes strong direct sunlight and exposure. It fears heavy, sticky soil and water accumulation in the pot. If the pot soil has poor drainage and aeration, its tubers easily rot. It requires loose, fertile soil that drains well, is rich in organic matter, and is acidic to slightly acidic. The money tree has strong sprouting ability: after cutting off the thick compound leaves, new leaves quickly emerge from the top of its tubers. Since it grows so fast, why would its leaves still turn yellow?

What causes yellowing leaves on the money tree?

Overwatering and soggy soil

The leaves of the money tree are fleshy and can store water, so it can tolerate drought, but it dislikes wet conditions. Too much watering often causes the plant's roots to rot, which in turn causes yellow leaves.

Air that is too dry

The money tree likes a humid environment, and the suitable air humidity is around 85%. Air that is too dry can also cause the leaves to turn yellow.

What to do about yellowing leaves on the money tree

The root system has already rotted: take it out of the pot immediately

You can remove the plant from the pot and check whether the roots are rotten. If they are already rotten, remove the rotten roots and yellow leaves clearly and replant it in sterilized potting soil, or bury its base in clean sand, keep it in semi-shade and control watering, only misting the branches, leaves and surroundings frequently, and let it grow new roots before returning to normal care.

Roots not rotten: move it to a semi-shady spot

If the roots are not rotten, the plant should be placed in a semi-shady spot. Because there are few leaves, the soil does not dry easily after watering, so watering should be controlled, and the leaves should be misted frequently to let it slowly return to normal growth.

Editor's summary

When caring for a potted money tree, you should strive to create an environment with humid air and somewhat dry pot soil. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, reduce watering, or replace watering with misting, to keep the newly sprouted tender leaves safe through the winter. In winter, pay even more attention to keeping the pot soil on the dry side, but still remember to mist the leaves and the surrounding environment so that the relative humidity of the small surrounding environment reaches above 50%. Otherwise, under low-temperature conditions, the plant's roots easily rot, the leaves turn yellow, and the whole plant may even die.

What to Do About Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree Remedies for Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree

3. What to do about yellowing leaves on the money tree? To care for the money tree, you need to understand its growth habits: the money tree likes warm, hot and slightly dry, semi-shady environments with little variation in average annual temperature. It is relatively tolerant of drought, but afraid of cold, and it dislikes strong direct sunlight and exposure. It fears heavy, sticky soil and water accumulation in the pot. It requires loose, fertile soil that drains well, is rich in organic matter, and is acidic to slightly acidic. Its sprouting ability is strong: after cutting off the thick compound leaves, new leaves quickly emerge from the top of its tubers.

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