6 Mistakes That Could Kill Your Money Tree—and How to Rescue It

A money tree, known for its glossy green leaves and braided trunk, is a subtropical plant that is typically grown indoors. It is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in moist, warm conditions with adequate sunlight. But if you notice that the leaves of your money tree (Pachira aquatica) have started to yellow, curl, turn brown, or drop, it may be a sign that something in its environment is out of balance. From overwatering to inadequate sunlight, these are the most common reasons money trees die, along with the best practices to help save them.  

Overwatering

Money trees like moist soil, but too much can suffocate and kill the roots. "Because the roots are responsible for absorbing moisture and nutrients for the plant, the more roots it loses, the more top growth it has to sacrifice," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. If the soil is oversaturated, remove the plant from the pot and place it on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Then, return the plant to its container.

Underwatering

On the other hand, not watering a money tree enough can also pose issues. "When a money tree is underwatered, there’s not enough moisture in the potting mix for the roots to absorb, so it has to sacrifice top growth," says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, founder of The Houseplant Guru. "Since coir and peat—two of the main ingredients in potting mixes—can become hydrophobic when they dry out too much, partially submerging the rootball in water for 20 to 30 minutes will help it slowly reabsorb and rehydrate."

Fungal Disease

Various fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and leaf blight, can kill a money tree over time. "The first step to helping your money tree recover from disease is making sure it has good growing conditions, particularly light," says Hancock. "Getting lots of light inside will give it more energy to fight off the disease and more strength to recover."

Using a fungicide designed to treat the disease your tree is fighting can also help prevent further spread. "If you’re not sure what kind of fungus is going on, bring pictures or samples to your local cooperative extension service to help with diagnosis," Hancock says.

Don't Miss

How to Water a Money Tree the Right Way, According to Houseplant Experts

10 Trees You Can Grow Indoors, From Fruit Trees to Fast Growers

Too Much Sunlight

Like people, plants can experience sunburn. "If a plant was grown under shade at the nursery or has been inside in your home and you bring it right outside under the direct sun's rays, many or all of the leaves may bleach and drop off," says Hancock. To avoid stressing your plant, slowly acclimate it to the sun by exposing it to an hour of morning sun one day, then gradually increasing the amount every day for a week. This will build up a tolerance in the leaves, Hancock notes. If your money tree is experiencing sunburn indoors, Steinkopf recommends moving it to a lower-light location.

Pest Issues

A severe infestation of mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, or other pests can weaken a money tree. To prevent pests from invading your plants, Hancock recommends quarantining new plants for two to four weeks to see if they're carrying any pests. "Like fungal diseases, different pests are best treated differently—an insecticide for scale insects may not be so effective in spider mites (since they’re not insects), for example," says Hancock. "Doing a little research or consulting the staff at your local garden center can help identify the best way to treat the pest at hand."

Temperature

As a subtropical plant, Steinkopf notes that the money tree doesn't tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and can be significantly damaged by below-freezing weather. "Try to prevent sudden temperature swings with your plant and protect it from the cold to keep it healthy," she says. "A cold-damaged tree may look wilted; if it was severely chilled, the growth might be black and mushy as its cells freeze and burst open."