Do you have a dying money tree (Pachira aquatica) and you are at a loss for how to save it? I've found that there is a tremendous amount of conflicting advice and misinformation on this plant, and I'm here to help set the record straight so that you can understand how to turn your dying money tree around and help it thrive once again.
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Before going into the care of this plant, it is always very helpful to get clues on the care from its botanical name and also from its growing conditions in its native environment.
The botanical name for Money Tree is Pachira aquatica. The specific epithet aquatica means that it grows in or near water.
Money Tree is native to swamps and river banks in Mexico, Central America and South America.
Table of Contents
DYING MONEY TREE? HERE'S WHAT GOING ON
1. POTTING MIX MOISTURE
TOO DRY
As you can probably gather from the facts above, this is NOT a drought tolerant plant. Allowing your potting mix to go completely dry (especially if you do this repeatedly) will result in a very quick downfall.
Potting mix that is too dry will result in yellowing of the lower leaves on your plant. The entire plant itself may also droop in extreme cases.
Feel your potting mix with your finger (avoid using soil moisture meters since most of the inexpensive ones are junk), and if it is completely dry, give your plant a very thorough soaking.
When you neglect your plant and the potting mix goes really dry, before the lower leaves turn completely yellow, they will look like the photo below.
Take a look at the lower leaves.
This my own money tree that I allowed to get too dry, and you can see the lower leaves are starting to turn yellow. The veins are still green, but this is not considered chlorosis since the newest leaves are healthy and green.
Note that once the lower leaves started to yellow a bit, as a result of very dry potting mix, the foliage will not turn green again even after you "fix" your watering.
If your plant is extremely root bound, it may also make it very difficult to keep your plant hydrated enough, so it will be time for a larger pot at that point.
Also be careful of small pots as they will dry out pretty quickly and will need more frequent attention to watering.
If you want a wonderful potting mix that has been formulated specifically for the needs of plants like your money tree, try theRainforest Soil Blendfrom Oh Happy Plants. If you use my link, you will also receive 10% off automatically at checkout.
Oh Happy Plants has amazing potting mixes, and use sustainable ingredients. I've been using a lot of their products and my plants definitely are happier!
"OVERWATERING"
If I had a dime for every time a site online mentions "overwatering" as the cause for every single plant woe, I could probably retire by now.
If you are supplying your plant with enough light (more on that later), you have drainage holes and a well draining potting mix, it is difficult to "overwater."
What conditions does your money tree like when it comes to soil moisture? Here are my general rules of thumb:
Never allow your potting mix to dry out completely if you can help it.
DO allow the top inch or so of your potting mix to dry out. If you have a larger pot, you can even allow the top couple inches to dry out.
Always have a drainage hole(s) in your pot.
Use a well draining potting mix. A good general mix is 2-3 parts of a good all-purpose potting mix and 1 part perlite.
Never allow your plant to sit in water (such as in the saucer under the pot) for extended periods of time.
DO NOT WATER WITH ICE
It's sad that I need to even say this, but do not use ice to water your money tree.
This plant is sometimes sold with a label that instructs the plant owner to use ice to water the plant. This is a horrible idea for many reasons:
These plants do not like cold temperatures and they can be damaged.
If you have your plant slipped into a decorative pot with no drainage holes, and you have your plant growing in dim conditions, it can result in water accumulating at the bottom. If you're not routinely checking and emptying accumulated water, then your plant will start to rot. I've worked with many people who have also killed their moth orchids in this exact fashion.
Ice may even work for a while, if your plant is growing in a smaller pot, but once you repot into a larger pot, the amount of ice recommended on the label will no longer be sufficient to moisten all of the potting mix.
Moral of the story: Don't use ice to water.
In order to truly grow a beautiful specimen, it requires very consistent conditions, particularly with watering and light. And while you're at it, make sure that you are also fertilizing regularly. A well-fed plant will stay greener and be more vigorous.
There are many good fertilizers on the market, but one I like to use for most of my plants is Dyna-Gro Grow.
And that takes us to another important topic...light.
2. LIGHT
Many sources will say that this plant doesn't tolerate direct sun. This is also false. Pachira aquatica often grows in sunny locations outdoors.
Indoors, the light intensity is a lot less, so your plant can very easily take (and benefit from) some direct sun indoors.
You don't have to place your plant in the sunniest window that you have indoors, but an Eastern or Western exposure will be great for your Pachira aquatica.
Your plant may shed some lower leaves during dark periods of the winter, so if you can move your plant to a brighter location during this time, or supplement with a grow light, it will benefit your plant.
3. PESTS
Pests can be another reason why your money plant's leaves are yellowing. These plants can be prone to spider mites, so look out for fine webbing on the foliage, very small, crawling mites, and a mottled yellowish appearance of the leaves.
Check out my blog post on treating spider mites in houseplants for more information.
I hope you've enjoyed this post and are able to turn that dying money tree around into a full, beautiful specimen. Do you have a money tree? Comment below. I'd love to hear!
Hi, after reading the comments I realize I was not watering my money tree enough & am getting yellow lower leaves. Hopefully more attention will solve that problem.
However someone mentioned if they should remove the wire that is now embedded into the trunk. I’m thinking at this point it would do more harm than good?
Also, my tree has sap on the leaves & stems. Is that normal?
Thanks so much for your help.
If the trunk is still firm, there is still hope. Do you know what happened to it though? You need to troubleshoot exactly what happened in order to bring it back and avoid that from happening again.
I saved a dying money tree from a local pizza shop window. It was never watered, covered in flour and the poor thing was on its last legs. I am happy to report I nursed it back to complete health over the winter with the help of my aquarium lights and some new soil. new pot, and careful tending. ((I also do a natual moss-top on all my house plants to keep the soil moist and provide an aesthetic "floor")) I planted it in 2:1 mix of (2parts) potting mix with pearlite and (1part) sandy succulent planting soil (for the drainage properties). By springtime, it looked perfect. However for the summer, I generally move all my plants onto my front porch. It has some shade from the maple tree and I picked a place under the awning for my money tree. It only gets about 3-4 hours of "direct" sunlight per day, and I live in PA so its not like its getting Florida or Arizona sun (its cloudy here 3 days out of 5). But I am still concerned it is getting "too much" sun as a few of the leaves are starting to get lighter color. It is still shooting out new leaves, and still drinking and growing fine, but I dont like how some of the leaves are getting lighter. Is it possible that 3-4 hours of direct Pennsylvania sunlight are too much? This doesnt seem possible, but then again, what do I know?
Would love your feedback. Thank you.
P.S. If anyone knows where I can get my paws on a pachypodium lamerei, I would love that! I recently lost mine. I had a lovely 4 foot tall Madagasgar, but a friend was house-sitting for me while I was away for a work trip, knocked her over, split the trunk, and despite my best efforts to clone the top and save her, it died after 20 years in my care... 🙁
That's a great question Ryan. Is there a way that you can send me photos so I can take a look? You can DM me on Instagram (@ohiotropics) or message me on Facebook (Ohio Tropics Houseplant and Garden Care). Your money tree can definitely take that amount of direct sun where you live. It is still possible to burn though if you didn't acclimate it slowly enough and depending on what part of the day it received direct sun. After acclimation, it should be totally fine. If you can send the photos, I'm happy to take a look and give you my thoughts!
Hi, thank you for all the information… learn a lot about the money tree, mine right now lost all the leaves and it looks like is dying …
What do you suggest it could be done ??
Thanks
Patricia
All you can do is regular care. Did you let it dry out completely for as long time and it lost all its leaves? If so, just fix your watering and it should slowly come back as long as the branches are still firm and not completely dried out.
I have had this money tree for 3 yrs or so. It is about 4 ft tall. Has been dropping a lot of yellow leaves and is pretty bare in bottom half. Recently discovered that the wire that kept the stems together when I got the plant was still on and grown into the stems. I took it out but am wondering if it can come back from that. Even the new leaves look curled. It is indoors about 4 ft from a south window. I am never sure if I am watering too much or not enough.
My friend got me a beautiful money tree but unfortunately the next morning all its leaves turned yellow. When I opened your article I knew that the reason might be that the potting mix got completely dry. Is there anything that could help it survive? Can I send you pictures for a better result?
My money tree seems to be dying also and I agree on conflicting advice on overwatering etc. I wondered if I could send you some pictures of my plant so you can help me diagnose? I am pruning yellow leaves every couple of days and the healthy leaves are somewhat droopy!
Hi Danniella. Are you on Instagram? You can DM me photos there if you are (@ohiotropics). If you are not, let me know and I can email you and you can attach photos in the reply.
I too would like to thank you for your insight, I thought all was loss, I did read where the money tree should not be in the sun, although it did grow when I lived in an apartment and I did have it the window then I moved into a house this is when my problem started it started to drop and then the leaves started to yellow and brown but I did notice it would grow new leave,but after reading this article I have hope my watering is better now and its just wait and see there are no pest but moving did play a big part in its growth, I believe I've found the right spot for my tree now. Thank you
This was very helpful, as my Money Plant does have a few yellowing leaves.
I just pick them off, but maybe it can become a problem. Will consider all you’ve
said here. Thank You, Tony
Thanks for the advise on how to look after money tree. I lived in
HK. My plant stats hving yellow leaves then turn into “unhealthy color” but funny it continue to grow more young leaves but the color is not “green” what should I do? I don’t water water Ruth ice, is by my window with lights (no sunlight) plant in a ceramic small flower pot. Appreciate your advise & thank u.
Hi Barbara! Are you fertilizing? If you're not, I would start, and also make sure that your soil doesn't dry out a lot. Only let the top inch or so dry out before watering. They hate to go completely dry.
Hello
My mom gifted me a money tree, and it was thriving for about 8 months. When winter came along I started noticing the spider mites thin webbing.
I went ahead and changed pot, soil and sprayed neem oil on it. I have very little leaves sprouting that are green, but within 4 days of the change they have been turning yellow. What more can I do to help my money tree survive?
Winter can be a rough time for plants. The reduced light can cause some plants to have yellowing leaves, but it can also come from keeping your plant's soil too dry. It's not necessary to change the soil out for spider mites though. That may have made the yellowing worse. Make sure you are giving your plant enough light, and I'll refer you to my spider mite blog post for treatment: https://www.ohiotropics.com/2018/08/12/spider-mites-3-things-you-can-do-to-stop-them/
Hi! I think small pashira is dying… I've been following your tips but this winter she’s not looking great… and it looks like she’s not gonna survive 🙁 I managed to make a baby out of the original one (it unfortunately died) so it’s very small with two leaves..
Hi, after reading the comments I realize I was not watering my money tree enough & am getting yellow lower leaves. Hopefully more attention will solve that problem.
However someone mentioned if they should remove the wire that is now embedded into the trunk. I’m thinking at this point it would do more harm than good?
Also, my tree has sap on the leaves & stems. Is that normal?
Thanks so much for your help.
MY MONEY TREE LOST ALL OF IT'S LEAVES. IS IT DEAD OR CAN I STILL SAVE IT?
If the trunk is still firm, there is still hope. Do you know what happened to it though? You need to troubleshoot exactly what happened in order to bring it back and avoid that from happening again.
I saved a dying money tree from a local pizza shop window. It was never watered, covered in flour and the poor thing was on its last legs. I am happy to report I nursed it back to complete health over the winter with the help of my aquarium lights and some new soil. new pot, and careful tending. ((I also do a natual moss-top on all my house plants to keep the soil moist and provide an aesthetic "floor")) I planted it in 2:1 mix of (2parts) potting mix with pearlite and (1part) sandy succulent planting soil (for the drainage properties). By springtime, it looked perfect. However for the summer, I generally move all my plants onto my front porch. It has some shade from the maple tree and I picked a place under the awning for my money tree. It only gets about 3-4 hours of "direct" sunlight per day, and I live in PA so its not like its getting Florida or Arizona sun (its cloudy here 3 days out of 5). But I am still concerned it is getting "too much" sun as a few of the leaves are starting to get lighter color. It is still shooting out new leaves, and still drinking and growing fine, but I dont like how some of the leaves are getting lighter. Is it possible that 3-4 hours of direct Pennsylvania sunlight are too much? This doesnt seem possible, but then again, what do I know?
Would love your feedback. Thank you.
P.S. If anyone knows where I can get my paws on a pachypodium lamerei, I would love that! I recently lost mine. I had a lovely 4 foot tall Madagasgar, but a friend was house-sitting for me while I was away for a work trip, knocked her over, split the trunk, and despite my best efforts to clone the top and save her, it died after 20 years in my care... 🙁
That's a great question Ryan. Is there a way that you can send me photos so I can take a look? You can DM me on Instagram (@ohiotropics) or message me on Facebook (Ohio Tropics Houseplant and Garden Care). Your money tree can definitely take that amount of direct sun where you live. It is still possible to burn though if you didn't acclimate it slowly enough and depending on what part of the day it received direct sun. After acclimation, it should be totally fine. If you can send the photos, I'm happy to take a look and give you my thoughts!
Hi, thank you for all the information… learn a lot about the money tree, mine right now lost all the leaves and it looks like is dying …
What do you suggest it could be done ??
Thanks
Patricia
All you can do is regular care. Did you let it dry out completely for as long time and it lost all its leaves? If so, just fix your watering and it should slowly come back as long as the branches are still firm and not completely dried out.
I have had this money tree for 3 yrs or so. It is about 4 ft tall. Has been dropping a lot of yellow leaves and is pretty bare in bottom half. Recently discovered that the wire that kept the stems together when I got the plant was still on and grown into the stems. I took it out but am wondering if it can come back from that. Even the new leaves look curled. It is indoors about 4 ft from a south window. I am never sure if I am watering too much or not enough.
Hi Marsha, I would water as soon as the top inch or so of the potting mix is dry. Make sure to also fertilize. They hate to go completely dry.
Hi there,
My friend got me a beautiful money tree but unfortunately the next morning all its leaves turned yellow. When I opened your article I knew that the reason might be that the potting mix got completely dry. Is there anything that could help it survive? Can I send you pictures for a better result?
Hi Rasha! All you can do at this point is to be attentive to the watering. The plant will slowly come back.
Hi there,
My money tree seems to be dying also and I agree on conflicting advice on overwatering etc. I wondered if I could send you some pictures of my plant so you can help me diagnose? I am pruning yellow leaves every couple of days and the healthy leaves are somewhat droopy!
Hi Danniella. Are you on Instagram? You can DM me photos there if you are (@ohiotropics). If you are not, let me know and I can email you and you can attach photos in the reply.
I too would like to thank you for your insight, I thought all was loss, I did read where the money tree should not be in the sun, although it did grow when I lived in an apartment and I did have it the window then I moved into a house this is when my problem started it started to drop and then the leaves started to yellow and brown but I did notice it would grow new leave,but after reading this article I have hope my watering is better now and its just wait and see there are no pest but moving did play a big part in its growth, I believe I've found the right spot for my tree now. Thank you
Glad to help Joyce! Good luck with your money tree 🙂
This was very helpful, as my Money Plant does have a few yellowing leaves.
I just pick them off, but maybe it can become a problem. Will consider all you’ve
said here. Thank You, Tony
You're very welcome Tony! Good luck with your plant.
Thanks for the advise on how to look after money tree. I lived in
HK. My plant stats hving yellow leaves then turn into “unhealthy color” but funny it continue to grow more young leaves but the color is not “green” what should I do? I don’t water water Ruth ice, is by my window with lights (no sunlight) plant in a ceramic small flower pot. Appreciate your advise & thank u.
Hi Barbara! Are you fertilizing? If you're not, I would start, and also make sure that your soil doesn't dry out a lot. Only let the top inch or so dry out before watering. They hate to go completely dry.
Hello
My mom gifted me a money tree, and it was thriving for about 8 months. When winter came along I started noticing the spider mites thin webbing.
I went ahead and changed pot, soil and sprayed neem oil on it. I have very little leaves sprouting that are green, but within 4 days of the change they have been turning yellow. What more can I do to help my money tree survive?
Winter can be a rough time for plants. The reduced light can cause some plants to have yellowing leaves, but it can also come from keeping your plant's soil too dry. It's not necessary to change the soil out for spider mites though. That may have made the yellowing worse. Make sure you are giving your plant enough light, and I'll refer you to my spider mite blog post for treatment: https://www.ohiotropics.com/2018/08/12/spider-mites-3-things-you-can-do-to-stop-them/
Hi! I think small pashira is dying… I've been following your tips but this winter she’s not looking great… and it looks like she’s not gonna survive 🙁 I managed to make a baby out of the original one (it unfortunately died) so it’s very small with two leaves..
So sorry to hear that Marta! I would help further, but I would need to know all of your growing conditions in detail and how you cared for it.