What to Do When a Money Tree's Leaves Turn Yellow? Here's How to Fix It Easily
The money tree, also known as Malabar chestnut (Pachira aquatica), symbolizes wealth, which is why many people are happy to grow one at home. In today's fast-paced life, not everyone has that much time to care for these plants, so they can get sick and develop symptoms such as yellowing leaves. Today, let's learn together what to do when a money tree's leaves turn yellow.
First, the main causes of yellowing leaves on a money tree are improper watering, insufficient light, pests and diseases, a thick layer of dust on the leaves, too much fertilizer, overly wet soil, hot high temperatures, poor ventilation, low ambient temperature, and alkaline soil and water. Below, the editor explains in detail the causes of yellowing money tree leaves and the solutions.
Causes of Yellowing Leaves on a Money Tree and How to Fix Them
※——1. Improper watering: The money tree likes a warm, humid climate, and the potting soil is best kept moist, but when grown indoors, generally do not water until the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when you do. If you do not water thoroughly and only wet the top while the bottom stays dry, nutrient absorption will be affected, causing the leaves to become dull and lusterless and gradually turn yellow and drop from the bottom up. In this case, water sparingly and mist frequently so the plant gradually recovers, then return to normal watering.
※——2. Unsuitable light: The money tree likes light but cannot tolerate strong direct sunlight, so partial shade or scattered light is best; only in winter does it need good light to grow well. Starting in late April, you can choose a clear, warm midday to move the pot outdoors or onto a balcony for 1-2 hours of direct sunlight, gradually extending the time, which will produce very good growing results. Being in shade or a dim spot for a long time will cause leaves to turn yellow and drop, and in severe cases the plant may even die.
※——3. Pest and disease control: Leaf spot disease is a common problem for money trees. Its symptoms are a few spots appearing first, then gradually spreading and extending across the entire leaf, which then drops off. Garlic juice can be sprayed on as a fungicide. As for pests, the main ones are red spider mites and scale insects. Red spider mites are small, less than 1 mm long, and can be effectively controlled with miticides such as mancozeb, dicofol, and trichlorfon. Scale insects vary in size and color depending on the species, but they share one common feature: they are round or oval, generally do not move, and cling tightly to the stems or leaf stalks to suck sap. When there are few, you can wipe them clean with a strip of cloth, because scale insects die as soon as they leave the plant; when there are many, you can spray a 0.2% solution of essential balm or laundry detergent to control them.
※——4. Too much fertilizer: Generally, during the money tree's optimum growing temperature period, fertilizer should be applied regularly to ensure vigorous growth, usually a light fertilizer every 20 days or so, and well-rotted base fertilizer should be added when repotting. But applying too much fertilizer, or using fertilizer that has not fully decomposed, will burn the money tree's roots and cause leaves to turn yellow and drop.
※——5. Dust on the leaves: If the layer of dust on the leaves is too thick, it not only looks bad but also affects the plant's respiration and photosynthesis, causing the leaves to turn yellow. Wipe the dust off promptly.
※——6. Mistakes when changing the soil: When changing the soil, incorrect handling can also cause a money tree's leaves to turn yellow. When changing the soil for a money tree, try to damage the roots as little as possible; the growing medium added should be sterile, breathable, fertile, and slightly acidic, and the potting soil should be firmed in with no gaps left. If gaps remain, no matter how much you water, the plant will still suffer from a lack of water, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
※——7. Low ambient temperature: The money tree likes a warm, humid environment. Its optimum growing temperature is 20-30°C. Below 18°C it stops growing, and it can adapt to temperatures as low as 10°C, but the temperature must never drop below 5°C, otherwise frost damage will occur, with mild cases causing yellowing and falling leaves and severe cases causing death.
※——8. Hot high temperatures: For a money tree, which likes a warm, humid environment, if it is placed in high heat and exposed to the sun, the plant's transpiration will be excessive and the roots will not be able to supply enough water and nutrients, very easily causing scorched leaf tips or yellowing and dropping leaves. It should be moved promptly to a well-ventilated, cool place.
※——9. Poor ventilation: If the money tree's branches and leaves grow too densely and it is not pruned for a long time, the inner branches and leaves will not get enough light, very easily causing leaves to turn yellow and drop. Pruning should be increased promptly to let air and light through.
※——10. Alkaline soil and water: In most areas of the north, the soil and water contain more salt and alkali, which is not very suitable for growing the acid-loving money tree. Because the soil lacks iron that the plant can absorb, the money tree's leaves will gradually turn yellow. Therefore, when planting, pay attention to choosing acidic soil and frequently water with alum fertilizer water during the growing period.
The money tree only needs watering once every ten days to half a month. Do not overwater. If the potting soil stays too wet for a long time, it causes a lack of oxygen in the soil, makes some fibrous roots rot, and hinders normal respiration and the absorption of water and nutrients, causing leaves to turn yellow and drop. So, what should you pay attention to after a money tree turns yellow?
Points to Note After a Money Tree Turns Yellow
The money tree, native to the Malay Peninsula and the South Sea Islands, is a plant that likes high temperatures and high humidity and has poor cold tolerance. So when growing a money tree, place it in a spot with plenty of sunlight, but it cannot tolerate strong direct sunlight. Watering the money tree is the most important part of growing it, and whether the amount of water is large or small will have a big effect on the potted plant. A money tree should be misted with a spray bottle on both the leaves and stems twice a day, morning and evening, to keep the pot moist.
※——Fertilizing the money tree: The money tree has a relatively large demand for fertilizer. Under normal conditions, apply a light fertilizer every 20 days or so. Applying too much fertilizer when repotting can also cause a money tree's leaves to turn yellow.
The above are some of the small questions the editor has explained about what to do when a money tree's leaves turn yellow. Of course, the main cause of yellowing money tree leaves may actually just be a small mistake you make in daily care. In fact, as long as you find the cause of the yellowing leaves, everything is easy to solve.
The money tree only needs watering once every ten days to half a month. Do not overwater. If the potting soil stays too wet for a long time, it causes a lack of oxygen in the soil, makes some fibrous roots rot, and hinders normal respiration and the absorption of water and nutrients, causing leaves to turn yellow and drop. So, what should you pay attention to after a money tree turns yellow?
Points to Note After a Money Tree Turns Yellow
The money tree, native to the Malay Peninsula and the South Sea Islands, is a plant that likes high temperatures and high humidity and has poor cold tolerance. So when growing a money tree, place it in a spot with plenty of sunlight, but it cannot tolerate strong direct sunlight. Watering the money tree is the most important part of growing it, and whether the amount of water is large or small will have a big effect on the potted plant. A money tree should be misted with a spray bottle on both the leaves and stems twice a day, morning and evening, to keep the pot moist.
※——Fertilizing the money tree: The money tree has a relatively large demand for fertilizer. Under normal conditions, apply a light fertilizer every 20 days or so. Applying too much fertilizer when repotting can also cause a money tree's leaves to turn yellow.
The above are some of the small questions the editor has explained about what to do when a money tree's leaves turn yellow. Of course, the main cause of yellowing money tree leaves may actually just be a small mistake you make in daily care. In fact, as long as you find the cause of the yellowing leaves, everything is easy to solve.