The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a popular tropical plant known for its palm-shaped leaves and positive associations with feng shui but its foliage turns yellow if overwatered or it gets too much light. Otherwise, a money tree is a low-maintenance, unfinicky indoor tree that is also easy to propagate. Catch it early when your money trees leaves turn yellow to bring the plant back to health.
As a proud owner of the popular money tree houseplant (Pachira aquatica), it can be alarming to notice its leaves suddenly turning yellow. But don’t panic! Yellow leaves are usually a sign of an underlying issue that can often be corrected to restore your plant’s health and lush green beauty.
In this article, we’ll explore the 11 most common reasons for yellow leaves on money trees and provide practical solutions to get your plant thriving again.
11 Common Causes of Yellow Leaves on Money Trees
Here are the typical causes behind money tree leaves turning yellow and what you can do about them:
1. Inconsistent Temperatures
Money trees prefer consistent warm temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Drafts from windows, doors, or vents can cause stress, leading to yellowing leaves. Sudden temperature drops shock the plant, affecting its vigor. Too much heat near radiators or heaters also dries leaves out, making them lose color.
Solution Provide stable temperatures away from drafts. An east-facing window gives gentle morning light without afternoon harshness that could stress it.
2. Excessive Light
Money trees need bright, indirect light. But too much direct sun, especially from southern or western windows, burns leaves, causing yellow patches and browning. This damages appearance and health.
Solution: Give bright, indirect light. An east-facing window works well. Sheer curtains also filter harsh light but allow ambient brightness. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
3. Insufficient Humidity
Native to tropical climates, money trees thrive in humidity over 50%. Drier indoor winter air causes crispy leaf edges and yellowing.
Solution: Use a humidifier, group with other plants, mist leaves, or place pot on a pebble tray with water. This increases humidity.
4. Overwatering
Frequent watering, heavy soil, poor drainage, and sitting in water cause root rot. This prevents nutrient and water uptake, leading to yellowing.
Solution: Let soil dry out between waterings. Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes. This prevents waterlogging.
5. Underwatering
Too little water stresses plants, causing dehydration and yellowing leaves. Lack of moisture prevents vital functions, causing wilting and drooping.
Solution: Maintain consistent watering when soil is dry 1-inch deep. Provide enough water for it to drain out the bottom. Use pots with drainage holes.
6. Poor Drainage
Saturated soil from heavy soils or poor drainage suffocates roots, preventing oxygen intake and causing yellowing.
Solution: Use pots with adequate drainage holes and well-draining potting mixes. Repot in fresh soil if current mix retains too much moisture.
7. Nutrient Deficiency
Lacking nitrogen, iron, magnesium, or potassium leads to yellow leaves, stunted growth, and poor health. Each nutrient has a role in plant functions.
Solution: Use balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 monthly during growing season. This provides a full range of nutrients.
8. Pest Infestations
Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale feed on sap, causing damage and weakening plants. This leads to yellowing, curling, or dropped leaves.
Solution: Regularly inspect for pests. Treat promptly with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Wipe leaves to remove pests. This improves plant health.
9. Insufficient Light
Inadequate light prevents photosynthesis, causing yellowing and dropped leaves from stress and poor health. This hinders new growth.
Solution: Give bright, indirect light, supplementing with grow lights if needed. This provides energy for thriving growth.
10. Natural Aging
Older leaves naturally yellow, die, and drop as money trees mature. This is normal if plant is producing new growth.
Solution: Monitor for overall health. Shedding some older leaves is often natural aging rather than a problem.
11. Environmental Stress
Sudden changes in location, temperature, or exposure to drafts shocks plants, resulting in yellowing as they struggle to adapt.
Solution: Maintain stable conditions. Gradually acclimate plant to any new location over several days to prevent shock.
What to Do About Yellow Money Tree Leaves
If yellow leaves aren’t part of natural growth, identify and fix the issue right away. Trim away any yellow, brown, or damaged leaves, allowing the plant to focus on healthy growth. Then:
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Overwatering – Let soil dry out before watering again. Repot to remove rotten roots if needed.
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Too much light – Move plant away from light source or filter sunlight with curtains.
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Low humidity – Increase humidity through misting, pebble trays, humidifiers, or grouping with other plants.
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Temperature changes – Provide stable temps away from drafts.
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Pests – Spray off pests, treat with neem oil, remove damaged parts.
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Underwatering – Water when soil is partly dry. Ensure adequate watering.
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Poor drainage – Use pots with drainage holes and well-draining soil.
Preventing Future Yellow Leaves
Prevent yellow leaves by giving consistent care, watching for issues, and addressing problems early. Remember that occasional yellow leaves on a healthy plant are normal. But catching problems quickly keeps your money tree thriving with lush green leaves bringing vitality and good fortune to your home.
Causes of Yellow Money Tree Leaves
Here are six reasons your money trees leaves could be turning yellow.
Inconsistent Temperature
If your money tree is located near a heating vent, air conditioning unit, or a drafty window or doorway, temperature fluctuations could cause yellow leaves. The plant prefers consistent warm temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees.
5 Reasons why your MONEY TREE plant leaves turning PALE or yellow
FAQ
How do you fix yellow leaves on a money tree?
- Overwatering: Soggy soil and yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering.
- Underwatering: Dry, crispy leaves and yellowing can indicate the plant is not getting enough water.
- Light: Money trees need bright, indirect light. Too little light can cause yellowing, while too much can cause leaf burn.
- Humidity: Low humidity can cause leaves to droop and yellow.
- Pests: Insects like spider mites and mealybugs can also cause yellowing.
What does an overwatered money tree look like?
When your Money Tree receives too much water, its root system and leaves will stretch out, causing those beautiful green leaves to brown and fall. Luckily, while Money Tree overwatering is an easy mistake to make, it’s an even easier one to correct.
How often do I water a money tree?
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Watering Frequency:
- General Rule: Water when the top 2-4 inches of soil feel dry.
- Spring/Summer: You may need to water more frequently, potentially weekly, as the plant is actively growing.
- Fall/Winter: Reduce watering, as the plant’s growth slows down.
- General Rule: Water when the top 2-4 inches of soil feel dry.
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Signs of Overwatering:
- Yellowing or browning leaves.
- Soft or mushy stems or trunk.
- Fungal growth or a foul smell from the soil.
- Yellowing or browning leaves.
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Signs of Underwatering:
- Drooping leaves.
- Leaves curling or becoming brittle.
- Dry, cracked soil surface.
- Drooping leaves.
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Tips for Watering:
- Water thoroughly: Ensure the water reaches the roots by allowing excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
- Don’t let the plant sit in water: Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent root rot.
- Use a moisture meter or check the soil: This can help you determine when the soil is dry enough to water.
- Consider your environment: Money trees in brighter, warmer locations may need more water than those in dimmer, cooler areas.
- Water thoroughly: Ensure the water reaches the roots by allowing excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
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Other Care Tips:
- Light: Provide bright, indirect light.
- Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature between 65-80°F (18-27°C).
- Humidity: Money trees can benefit from occasional misting, especially in dry environments.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, diluted fertilizer.
- Light: Provide bright, indirect light.
How do I fix yellow leaves on my tree?
Watering Issues
If trees aren’t hydrated, the leaves can turn yellow as they try to conserve water. Test your tree’s moisture by using the screwdriver test. Stick a screwdriver into the soil. If it’s hard to push in, chances are the tree is thirsty and could use a deep watering.