How Do You Revive A Dying Money Tree? (Possible Problems+Solution)

The money trees are easy to care for, but neglect can bring a lot of pain and trouble for your plant. If you are noticing some unusual signs on your plant but can’t figure out what’s wrong, you are at the right place. Let’s understand some common problems you may find and some tips for reviving a dying money tree.

To revive a dying money tree, you need to do the following:

1. Remove any damaged foliage.
2. Check the soil for moisture and only water if the soil feels dry.
3. Water the plant thoroughly. Water the money tree until you see it coming out from the bottom and water once again. 
4. Mist around the plant and use a humidifier to maintain ideal humidity.
5. Check the drainage holes for possible drainage.
6. Move the plant to a brightly lit spot where it gets enough indirect light.
7. Spray neem oil solution to get rid of possible pest problems.

There can be other reasons behind a dying money tree so let’s understand the causes, solutions, and ways of preventing them.

Signs a money tree is dying

Plants have the only way of telling you that they are in trouble through signs. Your money tree might also give out signals that can eventually be a reason for its death if you don’t take care.

Some signs of a dying money tree are:

• Stunted growth
• Leaves falling off
• Droopy leaves
• Yellow and brown foliage
• Foul smell and wet soil 

If you notice that the money tree is facing any of these problems, you will need to figure out what is wrong with the plant by examining it and then take action to revive it from that condition.

What's WRONG with this PACHIRA AQUATICA (Money Tree) — Ep. 229

How to revive a dying money tree?

If you want to save your money tree from dying, you need to read the signs that indicate that your money tree is having a hard time. If you take the correct actions on time, you can save your dying money tree.

Identifying the problem with the plant can be daunting, so we have discussed the possible issues that can lead to the wilting of your money tree. We have also included the solutions, so you know which actions to take.

Root rot in the money tree

Root rot is a disease in plants that is caused due to overwatering. Using heavy soil mix or having a flawed drainage system can also contribute to root rot.

In this condition, the roots stay wet for longer than usual and become weak and vulnerable. It can even give rise to fungal diseases and invite pests that can further damage the plant.

Signs:

• Foul odor from the soil
• Brown and soft roots
• Brown and black spots on leaves
• Droopy and dull leaves
• Stunted growth

Solution:

To revive your money tree from root rot, you need to repot the plant. 

• Take out the money tree gently from its pot. 
• Check the condition of the roots to determine the severity of the root rot. 
• Clean the roots by rinsing them gently with water. 
• Prune the damaged roots by using a sterilized pair of scissors.
• Place the roots under sunlight to help them get a little bit dry. 
• You should trim the damaged leaves and stems also.
• Take a new pot, fill it halfway with a well-draining soil mix, and place your plant in it. Add soil from all sides to cover up all gaps.
• Place the plant under bright indirect sunlight and don’t go overboard with watering again. 
• Fertilize the plant after few days.

Prevention:

You need to understand how much and when to water your money tree to prevent root rot.

Money trees generally require thorough watering once in one or two weeks, so you can start by watering once a week and check how the plant responds to it.

The most important point you need to remember is to water the money tree only when the soil is dry. If you water your money tree without checking the state of the soil, you’ll end up overwatering it.

Make sure to place your plant in a bright area with good airflow so that the soil dries up on time and doesn’t remain wet for long.

Also Read: What To Do If My Money Tree Has Root Rot? (+Signs, Causes+Fix)

Pest infestation in money trees

Pests are hard to notice as they are tiny insects that feed on the sap of your plant and suck out all the nutrition, making it weak and vulnerable.

Pests such as spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, gnats, etc., can attack your money tree. While spider mites may look like tiny moving dots, mealybugs look like little white cotton-like substances on the plant.

Signs:

• White spots on leaves
• Holes on leaves
• New leaves fall off
• Stunted growth
• Speckled leaves

Solution:

Isolate the money tree from the other plants so that the infection doesn’t spread to the other plants in your house.

Next, you can use organic miticides such as a neem oil solution and spray it all over the money tree to eliminate the pests.

You can also use rubbing alcohol by dipping a cotton ball in it and applying it to the affected areas of the plant.

You can even opt for commercial pesticides available in the market, but you need to ensure that they don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

Prevention:

Pests thrive in a damp environment, and the plant might be in such a condition during winter when there is low light, and the soil takes time to get dry.

To prevent pests, you should place the money tree in a bright area where it gets plenty of indirect sunlight. Avoid overwatering and overfertilizing it. You can even spray neem oil solution on the plant every month to keep the pests at bay.

Also Read: Does A Money Tree Attract Bugs? (Common Bugs+How To Get Rid Of Them)

Overwatering of money trees

As discussed already, overwatering causes root rot. But it can also cause other problems to the plant. An overwatered plant shows different signs before the roots start to rot.

If you can take the hint, you can save your money tree from dying.

Signs:

• Yellow leaves
• Brown leaves
• New leaves will fall off
• Overwatering will attract pests
• If you don’t do anything, roots will start to rot.

Solutions:

Once you have figured that you have overwatered your money tree, you need to stop watering it immediately.

Let the soil dry out by placing the money tree in a bright area. Good airflow will also help the soil to dry up faster.

You can water the money tree once the soil is dry. Check the soil’s moisture level with a moisture meter before watering the plant.

Prevention:

Don’t follow any watering routine blindly, as that can lead to overwatering. To avoid this, always check the soil before watering the money tree.

Use a skewer or your finger to determine the moistness of the soil.

Ensure that the drainage holes are working and are not blocked. Use well-draining soil that will not retain excess water.

Remember that the money tree requires less watering in the winter and more in the summer.

Underwatered money tree

If you have missed out on watering your money tree for a long time, your plant might be thirsty and underwatered.

The money tree can survive underwatering for some time as it prefers infrequent watering. But if the condition is stretched for too long, the plant will develop problems. The plant will give up on you if you don’t take any action.

You should not let the soil become bone dry and keep the plant hydrated to avoid problems.

Signs: 

• Dry and crisp leaves
• Brown leaves
• Slow growth
• Dull foliage
• Droopy leaves

Solution:

To begin with, you need to prune all the damaged leaves that have turned brown and crisp.

Water the money tree thoroughly, or you can even give the plant a good shower.

Once your plant has recovered, don’t neglect it again and give it sufficient water to keep it healthy.

Prevention:

Whenever you water the money tree, water it thoroughly and check if the excess water is getting drained through the drainage holes.

Make sure that the soil is well-draining; however, it should retain the required moisture.

Instead of following any watering routine blindly, check the soil’s moisture before watering the plant.

Also Read: How Often Should I Water My Money Tree? (Money Tree Water Requirements)

Inappropriate cultural conditions

Coming from tropical regions, the money tree enjoys high levels of humidity and high temperatures. If you cannot provide the proper temperature and humidity to your money tree, it is bound to have problems.

When the money tree is indoor, you can keep it in a controlled environment with enough humidity and temperature.

Sudden fluctuations in the temperature and humidity levels can occur during the winter season. This can shock your money tree, and if you don’t take care beforehand, it might be too late to revive the plant. 

Signs:

• Brown spots on leaves
• Stressed plant
• Discolored leaves
• New leaves start drooping
• Leaves shrink

Solution:

First of all, you need to prune the damaged leaves.

Maintain the humidity level of at least 50% and temperature between 65-80°F

Use a humidifier to increase the humidity. 

Prevention:

Don’t expose the money tree to cold temperatures during the winter. Place it in the kitchen or bathroom that gets more humidity during winter.

Don’t keep the money tree too close to the furnace or fireplace to burn the plant.

Maintain the ideal temperature and humidity and don’t make any sudden changes to avoid stressing the plant.

Lighting issues with the money tree

Low light and direct sunlight can both be detrimental to your plant’s health. Therefore, you should not let your money tree be in any of these conditions.

The money tree requires indirect light for six to eight hours every day. If it gets too much direct sunlight or too little light for a prolonged period, it can even die.

Signs:

Low light

• Droopy leaves
• Leggy growth
• Stems and leaves become weak

Direct sunlight

• Wilting leaves
• Brown leaves

Solution:

Keep the money tree in a location where it gets sufficient indirect light for at least six hours every day.

If the money tree is placed near a window, keep checking whether it is getting too much direct sun. If it is, move the plant a little further away from the window.

You can provide direct sunlight to the money tree during the morning and late evening.

Prevention:

Avoid placing your money tree under direct sunlight to protect it from getting sunburnt. If the plant is outside, keep it under shade to protect it.

If your money tree is not getting adequate light, get an artificial light for it.

Also Read: How Much Light Does A Money Tree Need? (Money Tree Light Requirements)

Final Words

Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) Care

If your money tree gets some care from you, it will not develop severe problems. Even if it does, you will be able to revive it with some care and attention.

Here are 7 tips for keeping your money tree healthy:

1. Provide six to eight hours of indirect light.
2. Fertilize with a light fertilizer during the growing season.
3. Water when the soil is dry.
4. Keep the temperature and humidity in check.
5. Repot the plant at least once every three to four years.
6. Prune the plant to encourage growth and to get rid of damaged parts.
7. Ensure that the drainage system works well.

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