Why Are My Money Tree Leaves Drooping? (Causes+How To Fix)

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The money tree (Pachira Aquatica) is an indoor plant that is believed to bring good luck to the house. If you don’t know about the requirements of your money tree, you might be making a mistake in taking care of it, and that can make the leaves droopy. Let’s understand all the possible issues that can make the leaves of your money tree droop.

Both Underwatering and overwatering can cause droopy leaves in your money tree. Other reasons can include too much or too little light, wrong soil mix, temperature fluctuation, or any disease. Try to keep a check on watering, move the plant to a bright spot to prevent droopy leaves.

In this article, we will discuss not just the problems that cause drooping leaves on your money tree but also the steps that will allow you to fix the problem. So, let’s get into it without any further delay.

Watering issues

All plants require water, but the requirement might vary from plant to plant.

Many plant owners make the mistake of giving their money tree a lot of water or too little of it.

The plant will suffer in both situations, and it will bring various problems. Let’s understand in detail.

Overwatering or under-watering a money tree

It might be challenging to understand whether your money tree is overwatered or underwatered, as these have similar symptoms. However, we will try to simplify it to make it easy for you.

If you have an underwatered money tree, you will notice: 

• Slow growth
• Discolored leaves
• Dry and drooping leaves
• Dried out soil
• Shallow roots

In the case of an overwatered money tree, the symptoms are: 

• Yellow and drooping leaves
• Brown tips for edges on the leaves
• Root rot
• Signs of edema
• A damp soil that gives out a foul odor

How much water should you give the money tree?

Since the money tree doesn’t mind infrequent watering, you can water your money tree once or twice a week. However, you should ensure that you are watering it thoroughly.

Watering the plant thoroughly means that the excess water should start draining out by the time you finish watering the plant. Water helps the plant to absorb nutrients, so less water means fewer nutrients for the plant.

The watering of the money tree might depend on other external situations.

It would be best to consider the factors such as how much light your money tree is getting, which season it is, the size of the plant, etc., before deciding the amount of water your money tree will need.

Other than these, a sound drainage system is a must. If you let the money tree sit on the excess water, it will become overwatered even if you’re not overwatering it.

As the excess water drains out, it leaches out the salt from the soil that helps to maintain a balance. Therefore, never use a pot that doesn’t have drainage holes. Even if the pot doesn’t have drainage holes, you can make the holes and then place the plant inside it.

You should never use water that is too hot or cold as that can shock the plant. Consider watering the money tree with room temperature water only.

If you have overwatered the money tree, the leaves will become droopy and soft. This is because the soil will remain wet most of the time and give out a foul smell. You might also notice yellow spots on the leaves.

In the case of an underwatered plant, the soil becomes dry, and the plant becomes limp.

Fixing the problem

If you have overwatered your money tree, you can still save it by taking the following steps.

First, you need to stop watering the plants so that the soil can get dry. Then, let the plant remain in a bright environment.

Next, you need to check the roots to figure out if the plant has root rot.

You need to get rid of the damaged roots and the droopy and discolored leaves by trimming them with a pair of sterilized pruners.

Repot the money tree in a new pot and use a fresh soil mix.

To fix an underwatered money tree, you need to gradually increase the frequency and the amount of water you give to the plant to see it thrive.

Light requirement of the money tree

Although the money tree requires a lot of light, direct sunlight can be harmful to it. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves and permanently damage them.

Placing the money tree near a window that has sheer curtains to filter the direct sunlight is ideal. It is okay for the money tree to get direct sunlight during sunrise and sunset.

If your money tree is not getting enough light, it will become leggy, and the leaves will become dull and droopy.

If any of these is the problem, you might be thinking of relocating your plant. However, always remember to make the changes gradually so that the plant can adjust to the changes.

In the case of low light, you can use grow lights that make up for the lack of natural light.

Keeping the money tree near a window where it gets filtered light to the curtains or blinds is a good idea. However, you would want to rotate the pot once in a while so that the plant receives light on all sides and doesn’t lean towards one side.

Poor draining soil

The money tree should be potted in soil that can support its requirements. If you use soil that does not support well drainage, it will retain more moisture than required.

The pot in which you have potted the money tree should have proper drainage holes at the bottom to allow the excess water to drain out. You can place tables at the bottom of the pot before filling it with soil. It will prevent the blockage of the drainage holes.

You can use cactus mix and add perlite to it to make it well-draining. The soil should have enough nutrition and should be able to hold the required moisture.

A soil that retains too much water makes the leaves droopy. If you want to avoid that, you should start using well-draining soil for your money tree.

Insect infestation

Like any other houseplant, the money tree can also get infected by insects and diseases that can lead to drooping of leaves.

Pests

Pests such as mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, thrips, etc., can attack your money tree.

You can use natural remedies to get rid of the pests. You can eliminate most of the best, if not all, with the help of natural remedies.

Diseases

Overwatering is a common cause of diseases in the money tree. Therefore, you should not overwater the money tree.

Home remedies purchase using garlic or neem spray can help to get rid of both pests and diseases.

How to use garlic or neem spray?

• You can use 1 tsp liquid concentrate of garlic/neem oil and mix it with 1 or 1.5 liters of water.
• Pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
• Spray the liquid on the money tree once a week until the pests vanish. 

Temperature fluctuations

The ideal temperature for the money tree ranges between 65-80°F. However, soaring temperatures can burn the leaves of the plant.

If the money tree is placed outside or the patio where the temperature can go beyond 80°F, it will need a relocation under the shade or indoor.

After bringing the money tree inside, you can place it near a window with curtains. It will protect the plant from direct sunlight.

If you live in colder regions or during the winter, the temperature can drop below average, and you might need to take steps to keep your plant healthy.

If the temperature levels drop below 40°F, the money tree will lose moisture and become dry. If the temperature levels drop further, it can even kill the plant.

Therefore you must maintain the appropriate temperature inside your house. You can use a furnace to increase the temperature but do not place the plant too close.

Overfertilization

Fertilizers help to boost the growth of the plant by adding nutrition to the soil. However, you should be careful not to add excess fertilizers to the plant as it can cause drooping of leaves.

You should fertilize the money tree during the summer and spring months as that is its growing period.

You can use a well-balanced fertilizer after diluting it to half strength.

You can use organic fertilizers as they don’t cause any harm to the plant. You can also opt for chemical fertilizers but ensure that they will not harm your plant.

Avoid fertilizing during the winter season as it can burn the roots of your money tree. 

Low humidity

The money trees enjoy humidity as they are tropical plants, and do humidity during the winter season can cause drooping and falling of leaves.

Therefore, we need to find some ways to increase the moisture for the money tree during winter. There are various ways such as:

• Mist the money tree to increase the humidity. 
• Place a humidifier near your money tree to increase the humidity level. 
• Please the money tree on a pebble tray. As the water will evaporate from the tree, it will add moisture around the money tree. 

Final words

• Try to maintain the temperature between 65-80°F for the money tree. The money tree does not enjoy low temperatures for an extended period as this can cause droopy leaves. 
• Expose the money tree to direct sunlight only during the morning and late afternoon. Then, keep it under indirect sunlight for the rest of the day. 
• Use the correct sized pot for your money tree. 
• Spray neem oil or garlic solution on the money tree to keep the pests away. 
• Prune the plant whenever required to eliminate the damaged parts and allow the plant to focus on new growth. 
• Keep the money tree away from cold drafts and frost during the winter months. Place it away from the window to keep it safe.

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Reference: NYBG, WIKIPEDIA, CABI, Missouri Botanical Garden, Effect of light intensity on plant growth.