If you recognize that you're overwatering your plant, several solutions will remedy the situation as long as you get there in time. The best solution is to repot the plant with fresh soil and treat any root rot with a fungicide.
Repot the plant in a clean pot with drainage holes using fresh, dry soil. If reusing the same pot, clean it with hot water and mild soap first. Position the money tree in a location with ample indirect sunlight. Allow it to recover from the trimming and repotting, and avoid watering for at least a week.
You can gently take the plant out of its original pot and place the root ball on top of a layer of newspaper. The newspaper will help to absorb excess water. You may need to change the newspapers a few times until it has removed as much of the water as possible.
The best method IMO is to water deeply, soaking the soil until water freely drains out the bottom (dump excess so it doesnt sit in standing water). then you need to let the soil dry thoroughly before watering again. ditch the water meter, they don't work and are notorious for innacurate readings.
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.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
If it continues to decline, remove it from the soil completely, remove any rotten roots/stem and any dying leaves, and place it in a glass of water in a sunny spot. You've got plenty of stem there to grow new roots from.
Poke a hole and insert the cut end (of the leaf or stem) into the soil. Bury 3-4 nodes of the stem in the soil. Use a humidifier or cover the plant cutting with a biodegradable plastic bag to encourage growth. Keep it in indirect light, away from full sunlight, and ensure the soil is slightly moist.
Money trees prefer humid environments, so it is a good idea to mist the leaves every few days. You can also use a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room, or if you have the space - and feel particularly extra - pop yours in a bright bathroom.
How to check for root rot. The main signs to look out for are: yellowing, wilting leaves, wet soil that isn't drying, black, wet roots, quickly declining health, and stunted growth.
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.
There are two main causes of money tree trunk failure: dehydration and rot. If either is an issue, not all is lost! Money tree plants are resilient and with proper care, they can bounce back.
But if your Pilea is losing leaves at an alarming rate, or if it's losing young leaves, or losing leaves faster than it can replace them, that means your plant is stressed because of root damage caused by overwatering. Solution: Just as we've instructed above, remove the plant from its pot and remove the damaged roots.
Watering routine: Water the money tree when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot, and underwatering, causing dehydration and leaf issues. Indirect sunlight: Place the money tree in bright, indirect sunlight.
If you have a tall and leggy Chinese money plant, you can trim back the leggy stems, move it to a brighter location, and rotate it regularly (to give all the leaves equal light). Don't forget that you can propagate new plants from “leftover” stems!
If one of your money tree stems is dead, don't worry! You can still save the other stems before they decline, too. First, you will need to separate the dead stem from the other stems. You should be able to accomplish this with your hands and some patience.
Plantic MoneyDrop Liquid plant food is the best organic fertilizer for money plants in soil and water. It is made with homemade fertilizer essence, which makes it more effective and safe for plant health. It improves growth, increases resistance to diseases and pests and improves aeration in the root zone.
Your best bet is to remove the Money Tree from its container, prune back all affected roots and then replant it in fresh soil in a new pot.
Wrap your plant
If you're noticing your potted plant is looking a little overwatered and is already placed in a pot with drainage holes, you might wish to wrap the pot in a dry towel. This can help draw the water out through the holes, and dry the plant faster.