Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on Money Trees and How to Treat Them
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) symbolizes good luck and wealth, and many households display one during Chinese New Year. But quite a few people report that after a money tree has been in place for a while, its leaves start turning yellow. What is going on? To clear up everyone's confusion, today we will analyze what causes yellowing leaves on money trees and what to do about it.
If you notice the leaves of your money tree turning yellow, the first thing to do is not to throw it out, but to find the cause and then treat the problem accordingly, so it can regain its green color and vitality. So how exactly should you handle it? We have summarized the causes and the corresponding solutions, and hope they help you.
Overwatering a money tree can cause its leaves to turn yellow. So when caring for one, pay attention to how much you water. If you have been watering too much, stop doing that. The basis for watering is to check the surface of the money tree's soil: when the soil looks dry, it is time to water.
Too much water makes the leaves turn yellow, and naturally, too little water also causes yellowing leaves. You can judge for yourself: if the leaves turn yellow after you go several days without watering, then at this point you should judge how much to water based on whether the surface soil is dry or moist.
Poor air circulation. If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the branches and leaves grow too lushly, and combined with a long period without pruning, the inner branches and leaves do not get enough light, which easily causes the leaves to turn yellow and drop. Fertilize reasonably and strengthen pruning so that air and light can circulate.
Dry air. When indoor air is excessively dry, some flowers that prefer a humid environment, such as spider plants and orchids, often show dried leaf tips or scorched leaf edges. You should take measures such as misting and covering with plastic film to increase air humidity.
Improper temperature. If the room temperature in winter is too low, flowers that like high temperatures are often vulnerable to cold damage, which causes the leaves to turn yellow and, in severe cases, to wither and die. If the room temperature is too high, the plant transpires excessively, and the roots cannot supply enough water and nutrients, which also makes the leaves turn yellow. Please remember to adjust the room temperature in time.
Look carefully at the yellowing of the money tree's leaves. If you find aphids or traces of insects biting or crawling on them, that proves your money tree has a pest or disease problem. At this point, it is recommended to find a horticulturist and ask them to give you insecticide.
Even if the money tree only looks wilted, especially at noon in summer, never water it. Be sure to wait until the sun sets before watering. If you water it under high temperatures, it will only burn the roots, causing the leaves to turn yellow and leaving the plant more or less ruined.
The above are the possible causes of yellowing leaves on money trees and the ways to deal with them. I believe everyone has got the hang of it now, right? If your money tree shows similar problems, it is recommended that you deal with it promptly.