How to Revive a Dying Money Tree

A dying money tree is usually because of root rot due to overwatering or poor drainage which causes the money tree’s leaves to droop, turn yellow and drop off. Low humidity and excessively dry soil cause the money tree’s leaves to turn brown with a wilting, dying appearance.

Money trees prefer to grow in shade and can scorch brown in direct sunlight.

A money tree dies back when it is living in conditions are contrary to the conditions of its natural environment.

To revive a dying money tree (Pachira aquatica), it is important to recreate the conditions of high humidity, consistently moist soil and to shade the money tree from direct sunlight, so it can recover.

Money trees can tolerate the typical range of temperatures of most homes, preferring a temperature range of 53.6°F and 77°F (12°C and 25°C).

If the temperature is too hot the money tree typically suffers from drought stress with brown leaves that wilt and drop off. If the temperature is too cold the leaves also drop off.

Keep reading for how to save your dying money tree…

Money Tree Leaves Drooping, Turning Yellow and Dying

Symptoms. Yellow leaves with a drooping or wilting appearance that can eventually drop off.
Causes. The pot is too small and the roots have exhausted the available nutrients, not enough light, the soil has been saturated for too long which prevents root respiration and potentially causes root rot.

The reason for money tree leaves turning yellow is usually because the soil is too damp. Money trees can tolerate damp soil for significant periods but if the soil is saturated, this excludes oxygen from the soil which prevents root respiration which causes the money tree’s leaves leaves to turn yellow and drop off.

Money trees are native to the Mexico and South America where it grows in forests that can be seasonally flooded and yet also experience periods of dry weather.

Whilst money trees are tolerant of periods of damp soil due to their environmental adaptions they do require the soil to dry somewhat between bouts of damp soil.

If the soil is consistently saturated rather then just moist then the water excludes oxygen from the soil and prevents root respiration.

If the roots cannot respire then this interferes with the roots ability to draw up nutrients and moisture which causes the leaves to turn yellow with a dying appearance and eventually drop off.

Saturated soil also promotes the conditions for root rot.

Yellow money tree leaves due to saturated soil can be due to:

Watering too often.
Pots without drainage holes in the base.
The use of saucers or trays underneath pots which prevent water from draining.

A lack of sunlight can also be the cause of money tree leaves turning yellow and dropping off.

Money trees are adapted to living under forest canopies where their is either indirect light or some filtered sun which makes them ideal indoor plants.

However, if the money tree’s leaves are in deep shade then this can also be the cause of the leaves turning yellow as they cannot attain enough energy because of low levels of light.

It should be noted that in northerly latitudes with short day lengths with much fewer hours of light in the Fall and Winter, the money tree leaves often turn yellow and fall off. However this is not a sign that anything is necessarily wrong with the environmental conditions in your home but just part of the plants reaction to shorter days.

The leaves should regrow in the Spring when the hours of daylight increases as long as you take care of the money tree in terms of watering appropriately and keeping at between 53.6°F and 77°F (12°C and 25°C) degrees with some humidity.

How to Revive a Money Tree With Yellow Leaves

Scale back the watering to mimic the typical water cycle in their native environment. The correct method for watering money trees is to give the soil a really good soak, so that excess water emerges from the base of the pot and then allow the soil to feel just slightly moist to a fingers depth. This ensures the money tree has the right balance of moisture to meet the watering requirements of the plant and allow oxygen in the soil to facilitate root respiration so that the leaves stay a healthy green.
Ensure that the money tree’s pot has drainage holes in the base. Pots without drainage causes excess water to pool around the roots. It is essential that the money tree’s soil can dry out somewhat between bouts of watering to prevent yellow leaves. Ensure that the drainage holes does not become blocked with compacted soil or any obstruction.
Ensure you empty saucers and trays that are underneath the pot regularly. Saucers and trays underneath the pot is a good way to prevent water from spilling in the home after bouts of watering. However it is important to empty the saucer or tray as often as required so that the bottom of your money tree’s pot is not stood in a pool of water as this causes root rot which turns the money tree’s leaves yellow with a dying appearance.
Place your money tree in a room with brighter light or move it closer to a window. Money trees tolerate shade but if the levels of light are too low the leaves cannot photosynthesize and turn yellow with a drooping appearance. Do not move your money tree into an any direct sunlight after a period of shade as the contrast is likely to damage the leaves with a scorched brown appearance. With exposure to bright light the leaves should perk up, and start to look more green in the following weeks.

With improved drainage and a watering schedule that mimics they typically soil moisture conditions in their native environment the money tree’s roots can recover and the plant can start to revive.

Occasionally the leaves all fall off after a bout of water stress however they money tree can recover even if completely defoliated as long as their growing conditions are favorable.

Money Tree Leaves Wilting and Turning Brown and Dying

Symptoms. Leaves turn brown and can appear scorched, with a drooping or wilting appearance.
Causes. Low humidity, dry soil high temperature or too much sunlight.

Money tree leaves turn brown because of too much direct sunlight on the leaves or low humidity. Money trees are adapted to growing in the shade under a forest canopy with high humidity. If the money tree is in direct sunlight or the humidity is too low indoors then the leaves scorch brown with a dying appearance.

Money trees leaves are sensitive to the sun as they are protected in their native environment from direct light. Money trees can grow in shade but prefer some bright, indirect light and scorch brown in full sun, so they key is to find the right balance of light in your home.

As the money tree grows in tropical regions of central and South America, it is accustomed to higher levels of humidity. The humidity indoors is usually around 10% in most homes which is much lower then the typical humidity of the money tree’s natural environment.

The lower indoor humidity saps moisture from the money tree’s leaves faster then the roots can draw up water which stresses the plant and causes the leaves to turn brown and dried out.

Money trees are also adapted to a flood and drought cycle of watering in their native environment where the roots can be completely submerged for a time by heavy rains or seasonal river flooding yet it can also cope with drought.

The money tree’s ability to cope with a range of conditions from drought to flooding makes it a great houseplant as it can recover if you forget to water it occasionally.

However the money tree is still susceptible to drought if:

The money tree is not watered often enough and the soil dries out completely between bouts of watering.
It is watered too lightly so that the top of the soil is moist and the water does not infiltrate the soil sufficiently to reach the roots.
The pot is too small and dries out too quickly. A smaller pot means less soil and therefore less capacity to retain moisture around the roots of the money tree.

How to Revive a Money Tree with Leaves Turning Brown

Move the money tree to an area of bright, indirect light. If the money tree’s leaves have been in direct sunlight, this is the cause of the brown leaves. The optimal balance of light for a money tree is bright indirect light which ensures there is enough light to keep the plant healthy yet not too much sun that the leaves turn brown. The shade also helps to reduce water loss from the leaves as the plant is likely dehydrated from too much sun.
Snip off any brown, scorched, dried out leaves if they have been burnt in the sun. The individual scorched leaves do not revive so it is important to prune them back with a sharp pair of pruners as this helps to stimulate the growth of new green leaves.
Water your money tree with a generous soak rather then a light watering. Give your money tree a really generous soak as this ensures the water has infiltrated the soil to reach the roots. Drought stress and brown leaves can occur if your water too lightly as this only moistens the top inch or so of the soil and does not reach the reach where it is required.
Water with a generous soak and then wait until the soil is only slightly moist to a fingers depth. This cycle of water mimics the typical fluctuations of soil moisture to which the money tree is accustomed in its native environment and provides the optimal balance of moisture to revive your money tree.
Check to see if they roots are pot bound, if so repot your money tree to a pot the next size up. If the roots are pot bound then there is not enough soil in the pot to retain enough moisture for the money tree which causes the leaves to turn brown as a sign of stress. A larger pot has a greater capacity for soil and therefore a greater capacity to retain moisture around the roots of your money tree. A larger pot alleviates the threat of drought stress to help revive dying brown leaves.
Locate the money tree away from sources of heat which cause the temperature to fluctuate and out of air currents. Draughts and air currents from air conditioning or forced reduce the humidity and sap moisture from the leaves causing the money trees leaves to turn brown. Ensure your money tree is in a less draughty area of the home.
Increase the humidity around your money tree by misting the leaves regularly. Misting the leaves once a day creates a humid micro-climate around the money tree which replicates the naturally humid conditions of it native environment and reduces the rate of water loss from the leaves to prevent them from drying out and turning brown.
If you live in climate of particularly low humidity, I recommend using a humidifier in the home to emulate the humid conditions of the money tree’s native environment. Humidifiers are the best way to create the optimal micro-climate around your money tree to help the leaves revive from a brown and dying appearance.

Scorched brown money tree leaves should be pruned back as the individual leaves do not revive but this stimulates new growth and your money tree can look a healthy green again in the following weeks.

Money trees with brown leaves can revive quite well from drought stress as long as you recreate the optimal conditions of its native environment by misting regularly to increase the humidity and watering thoroughly to ensure the soil is evenly moist.

The money tree should show signs of recover after 2 or 3 weeks with drooping leaves returning to normal.

Some leaves may drop off or not recover from their brown appearance in which case you can remove the leaves with pruners when you start to see new green growth emerging.

Money Tree is Dropping Leaves and Dying

Symptoms. Money tree leaves dropping and perhaps turning yellow or curling and turning brown.
Causes. Cold temperatures or reacting to shorter days in Fall and Winter, low humidity, dry soil, saturated soil or due to transplant shock.

Money tree drops its leaves in the Fall and Winter in response to the seasonal changes of cooler weather, lower humidity and shorter day lengths. Money trees can also lose their leaves due to a sudden contrast in conditions such as exposure to cold weather or frost.

Money trees are evergreen in their native environment and retain their leaves all year round as long as the conditions are preferable.

However they can lose their leaves as a sign of stress when indoors due to unfavorable conditions or if you live in a northerly latitude where the day lengths in Fall and Winter become much shorter.

In Winter there are fewer hours of daylight and more variability in temperature due to sources of indoor heat and dyer air due to forced air or air conditioning.

All of these factors are contrary to the money tree’s preferred environment of higher levels of humidity, stable temperatures of between 53.6°F and 77°F (12°C and 25°C) and more daylight (its natural equatorial environment there are consistently around 12 hours of light).

Money tree leaves can curl, dry out and drop if they are not watered often enough or watered too lightly. The soil should not dry out completely between bouts of watering.

If the soil is too dry the money tree’s leaves curl to reduce their surface area and drop off as a survival strategy to prevent losing too much moisture.

Money tree leaves turn yellow and drop off if the soil is saturated rather then evenly moist.

Saturated soil prevents root respiration and interferes with the roots ability to uptake moisture and nutrients which causes the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.

If the soil around the money tree’s roots is saturated, without good drainage for too long then this causes root rot, at which point it can be very difficult to save the money tree.

Moving your money tree from one location to another can also cause the leaves to drop, particularly if they experience a significant contrast in conditions.

Money trees adapt to the level of humidity, sunlight, air flow and temperature of their location, and if there is a sudden change in conditions the leaves drop as a sign of stress.

How to Revive a Money Tree That is Dropping Leaves

The key to reviving a dying money tree that is dropping leaves, is to recreate some of the conditions of the money tree’s native environment with higher humidity, stable temperatures, moist soil and consistent watering.

The more closely you can emulate the money tree’s natural environment and create more favorable growing conditions the better the money tree’s chance of regrowing its leaves.

If the money tree has lost its leaves in Winter then they often grow back in the Spring in response to more light. However it is important to ensure the environmental conditions are more favorable for the leaves to regrow.
Increase the humidity and ensure the money tree is not directly in any air currents for air conditioning or forced air. Money trees prefer higher levels of humidity (at least 30% humidity) then the typical humidity level of most homes (which is around 10% humidity).
To increase humidity the best option is to use a humidifier as you can precisely control the level of humidity to suit your money tree. Bathrooms are the best rooms in the house for money trees due to the higher humidity being more similar to the conditions of their tropical environment. If your money tree is small enough, then place the pot on a saucer or tray of water with pebbles in the water ensuring the bottom of the pot is above the water line supported by the pebbles (to prevent root rot). The evaporation form the water in the saucer creates a humid micro-climate that mimics the money tree’s naturally humid environment.
Money trees prefer a temperature range of between 53.6°F and 77°F (12°C and 25°C). Indoor temperatures can fluctuate drastically due to heating so try to find a location for your money tree away from any sources of heat or excessive cold, and as long as the temperature remains relatively stable the money tree should adapt and the leaves can regrow.
Water money trees as often as required, so that the soil feels moist but not saturated. Water with a generous soak so that excess water trickles from the base of the pot. This style of watering ensures the moisture reaches the roots where it is required and This creates the optimal balance of soil moisture an replicates the conditions of the money tree’s native environment.
Ensure the money tree’s pot has drainage holes in the base to allow excess water to escape after watering. Pots without drainage cause water to pool around the roots and money trees do not tolerate saturated soil for long periods. Saucers and trays are useful for preventing water spilling in the home but it is important to empty the saucer or trays often to prevent the money tree’s pot being sat in standing water which causes root rot. Propping your money tree on pebbles above the waterline is a good way to prevent this problem and also creates a favorable humid micro-climate around the money tree.

Once you have identified the probable cause for your money tree’s leaves dropping and created more favorable conditions the leaves should grow back in the next few weeks or the following Spring when there is more light.

Money Tree Dying After Repotting

Symptoms. Leaves wilting, turning brown and perhaps falling off.
Causes. Roots take time to establish in new soil to be able to draw up moisture and nutrients which can cause the money tree to temporarily have a dying appearance.

The reason for a money plant dying after repotting is because the roots are not yet established in the new soil and therefore cannot sufficiently uptake moisture and nutrients to keep the plant alive. If the soil is too dry after repotting the leaves wilt and drop off with a dying appearance.

Transferring a money tree (or any plant) from one pot to another can cause significant stress as the roots have to quickly adapt to a new set of soil conditions.

Usually the problem is drought stress as the roots are not able to draw up water as efficiently straight after repotting which can be significantly exacerbated by other environmental changes such as lower humidity and increased temperatures.

Repotted money trees often show the typical signs of stress associated with drought with wilting leaves that can drop off and the plant can have a dying appearance.

If a money tree is dropping leaves it is a sign that the leaves are losing more moisture then the roots can uptake, so as a survival strategy the money tree drops it leaves, until the roots can establish and draw up water from the soil more efficiently.

Once the roots have established sufficiently to draw up the moisture the plant requires and the money tree’s immediate survival is taken care of then it regrows its leaves, if the conditions are favorable.