The money tree (Pachira Aquatica) can add life to your house with its braided trunk and green leaves. But what if the plant starts leaning towards one side? It definitely means something is wrong. If you are facing this problem with your money tree, we are here to help. Let’s find out why is your money tree leaning and how we can fix the same?
Poor lighting, lack of nutrients, and insufficient watering are the primary cause of the leaning of a money tree. Lack of pruning can also lead to a leaning money tree. If you provide sufficient light, adequate water, and fertilize them on time, it will prevent the leaning of the money tree.
Leaning is typical in all plants, which happens due to a lack of care for the plant. Therefore you should not neglect your plant and take proper care of it to prevent leaning.
Let’s find out what makes the money tree lean and how to fix it.
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My money tree is leaning
We have already mentioned some reasons that cause leaning in the money tree. But there can be other reasons as well. We will take a look at all the reasons and discuss them in detail.
- Lighting issues
- Incorrect watering
- Improper fertilization
- Lack of pruning
- Root-bound plant
Your money tree is not getting proper lighting conditions
If you notice that your money tree is leaning towards one side, it may be due to a lack of light.
If the money tree is placed under low light conditions, it will start seeking more light and, in the process, start leaning towards the side which gets the most light.
Even intense sunlight can cause leaning in your money tree. This happens if you place your money tree under direct and harsh sunlight, damaging the leaves and stem, making them weak.
As the money tree becomes weak, it loses the energy to hold itself and its leaves, due to which the leaves fall off, and the plant leans.
You are giving your money tree too much or too little water
Overwatering is a severe problem in plants that can lead to numerous issues, including the leaning of the plant.
It can be challenging to understand the plant’s water requirements, especially if you are a beginner. This is the reason why many e plant owners end up overwatering their plants out of care.
Overwatering causes root rot that damages the roots of the plant, due to which it is unable to absorb any water or nutrients. Thus, the plant becomes weak and starts leaning.
Although underwatering is not as damaging as overwatering, plants cannot withstand it for an extended period. An underwatered money tree becomes weak due to a lack of water and, therefore, starts leaning.
Also Read: How Much Light Does A Money Tree Need? (Money Tree Light Requirements)
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Your money tree is not getting proper fertilization
Fertilization is necessary for the plants as it provides sufficient nutrition for their growth. The plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and every time you water the plant, some nutrition gets drained out of the soil along with the water. Due to this, the soil loses nutrients over a while.
If your money tree is not getting enough fertilization, there will be a lack of nutrition, leading to droopy leaves and the leaning of the plant.
Even overfertilization can be damaging to your money tree. If you make the mistake of thinking that giving the plant more fertilizer will bring more growth to it, you are entirely wrong.
When you overfertilize your money tree, it will make your plant dry and even burn the roots. All these will damage your plant and make it weak. Finally, you will have a leaning money tree.
You don’t prune your money tree
All house plants require pruning to remain in shape and get rid of damaged parts from time to time. However, there will be consequences if you don’t prune your plant.
Lack of pruning will make your money tree heavy and cause uneven growth. If you don’t prune your money tree on time, it will start becoming bulky on one side, due to which it will lean and might even fall.
Your money tree is root-bound
If you have a root-bound money tree that hasn’t been repotted for a long time, it can start drooping and leaning due to weakness.
When a plant becomes root-bound, its roots lose their ability to absorb water or nutrients, thus, making the plant weak.
If you notice that the roots of your money tree are coming out of the drainage holes of its pot, you should understand that it is root-bound, and you need to repot it immediately.
How to fix a leaning money tree?
If you want to fix a leaning money tree or prevent leaning, you need to take care of its basic requirements such as lighting, watering, and fertilizing. Let’s understand these in detail.
Keep your money tree in a bright spot
The money trees enjoy living in a bright environment where they get ample indirect sunlight throughout the day.
The money tree can tolerate direct sunlight during sunrise and sunset when the intensity of the light remains low. But, for the rest of the day, it requires indirect light.
You can place your money tree near an east-facing window in the morning or a west-facing window for the evening sunlight. However, if that does not suffice, you can place your money tree near a south-facing window.
While placing your money tree near a south-facing window, use a sheer curtain to filter the light so that your money tree doesn’t get hit by direct sunlight. This way, your plant will get enough sunlight and also stay protected from the harsh rays.
If your house lacks a natural source of light, you can use artificial lights. There are many artificial lights available online, so you can purchase one for your money tree to provide adequate light to it.
Give your money tree sufficient water
The money tree prefers infrequent watering, but you need to make sure that the watering is thorough. You can start by watering your money tree once in one or two weeks and check how your plant reacts to it.
It is important to remember that the water requirements of your money tree will differ during the winter season. Winter is the dormant period for most houseplants, and they do not require as much water because they do not remain active during this time.
You can fix a watering regime for the money tree, but water when the soil feels 50 to 70% dry. Watering blindly without checking the soil will lead to overwatering that will cause many problems for your plant, including leaning.
You should also not neglect your money tree and its water requirements by underwatering the plant.
If you don’t provide enough water to your money tree, if you become dehydrated and fail to absorb nutrients from the soil, that will make it weak, due to which it will lean.
Also Read: How Often Should I Water My Money Tree? (Money Tree Water Requirements)
Give your money tree the right amount of fertilizer at the right time
Fertilize your money tree once a month during the growing season – summer and spring. Use a well-balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10:10:10 or 20:20:20. (I prefer jack’s classic fertilizer which is available on Amazon)
Remember to dilute the fertilizer to half-strength so that it doesn’t harm your money tree. Check how your plant responds to it.
Avoid fertilizing the money tree during winter as that is the dormant period when the plant remains inactive.
Also Read: Does Money Tree Need Fertilizer? (How Much, How Often & Best Pick)
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Prune your money tree regularly
It is crucial to trim the money tree regularly so that it doesn’t grow too large for your house.
If you keep a check on your money tree, you will notice uneven growth or damaged parts that will do no good to the plant. Therefore, pruning is necessary for better health and more growth of the money tree.
Always use sterilized pruners or scissors and make clean cuts while pruning your money tree. Also, never go overboard with pruning, as that can shock the plant.
Also Read: How To Prune A Money Tree? (Why To Prune+Steps)
Repotting your money tree
If you have a root-bound money tree, you will need to repot it to fix it.
Repotting is essential not only if you have a root-bound plant but also for the overall health of your money tree.
It will help if you consider repotting your money tree once every two to three years. It is best to repot your money tree e during early summer or spring to help the plants settle in before winter arrives.
Consider watering the plant one day before you repot it. Get a container that is one size bigger than the previous one and has working drainage holes that let excess water pass out. You should also select good well-draining soil for repotting your money tree.
How do I keep my money tree upright?
If you have a very long money tree, it will tend to lean. Leaning is also the reason for a weak money tree.
Houseplants are usually not as strong as plants grown outdoors and therefore become weak and start leaning if they don’t get enough care.
The two ways that can help you keep your money tree upright are:
- Prune the money tree from the top
- Use a wooden stake to support the money tree
Encourage side growth after pruning the money tree from the top
We have already discussed the importance of pruning your money tree.
If you have a long money tree, you can clip it off from the top to reduce its length. This will prevent leaning, and your plant will remain upright more easily.
Once you clip off the extended parts of your plant, you can pinch the plant from the sides to encourage new growth. If the plant grows equally from all sides, it will remain upright.
Support your money tree with the wooden stake
If your money tree has not grown too tall yet, and you want to ensure that it doesn’t lean in the future, you can use wooden stakes to keep your plant upright.
Use garden stakes of the same length or a bit taller than your plant’s height. Dig them deep in the pot to support your plant.
Some tips to keep your money tree healthy:
- Keep your money tree away from the window during the winter season to protect it from frost and cold drafts.
- Avoid placing your money tree near the furnace or the Aircon.
- The money trees require a lot of indirect light, so do not keep them in the low light areas.
- Spray neem oil on your money tree every month to keep the pests away.
- Make sure to provide the right temperature and humidity to keep your money tree healthy.
Reference: NYBG, WIKIPEDIA, CABI, Missouri Botanical Garden, Effect of light intensity on plant growth.