Browning leaves or leaves with brown spots is a sign that your Money Tree is underwatered. Take note of the brown spots and be sure there isn't a yellow halo around the spot, which would point to overwatering as the issue.
How can you tell if a money tree is underwatered? Leaf turns golden color. Leaf falls apart easily. Leaf is brittle and breaks at the stem. Leaf sacrifices itself to save the plant. Yellow leaves. Brown leaves. Leaves are curling. Soft and dehydrated leaves. Soil is completely dry. Plant can pop out its pot.
Causes and Symptoms of a Dehydrated Money Tree
The water that was stored inside the trunk is being used to help the rest of the plant survive. Here's the good news: If you notice the symptoms soon enough, the plant can still be saved!
You can tell if the money tree is suffering from root rot if the leaves begin to wilt, discolor, or drop, if you notice a rotting smell from the soil, or if the base of the stem is soft and mushy. If one of your money tree stems is dead, don't worry! You can still save the other stems before they decline, too.
Leaves often show the first and most obvious signs of dehydration. Your tree's leaves or needles may wilt, curl, droop, turn yellow or brown, or even start showing fall color early. Some species of tree – including linden, ash, hickory, and black locust – may drop their leaves early.
You can also dig around the tree roots a little to see whether the soil a few inches under is bone dry. If your tree is dehydrated, it's time to get an irrigation system in place to meet its needs. The hotter the weather and the less frequent the rain, the more water your underwatered tree will need.
If this task is hard to do or if the tip of the screwdriver comes out dry, your tree likely needs water. Next, check your soil's texture. If you dig 6 to 8 inches into the soil and grab a handful, it should be cool and moist. If it's drenched, your tree is overwatered, but if it crumbles it is probably underwatered.
Just as in our world, yellow signs mean “caution,” so do yellow leaves on your Money Tree. A yellow leaf here and there is nothing to worry about, but several yellow leaves at once are a pretty sure indication that something is wrong.
🌱 Germination takes 4-8 weeks, with proper moisture, warmth, and air. 📏 Maturation time is 5-10 years, with care extending lifespan to 10-15 years. 🌿 Rapid early growth, reaching 19.69 to 39.37 inches indoors.
Too Little Water
Underwatering a money tree causes dry, brown edges on the leaves. Eventually, the entire leaf turns brown and falls off the plant. Money tree plants are native to the wetlands of Central and South America and are grown extensively in Japan and East Asia where there is a lot of water.
However, a general rule of thumb is to water the money tree once every one to two weeks. Before watering a money tree, always check the soil and then water thoroughly if the soil feels dry.
If you notice any of the following signs, you might be dealing with an overwatered money tree: Yellow and brown leaves. While dry, crispy brown spots may indicate dehydration, brown spots with yellow halos are a clear sign of excess water. You may also notice brown leaf tips and edges.
A: You can save a dehydrated money tree by thoroughly watering the soil and providing a humid environment. Gradually reintroduce it to regular care routines, ensuring proper hydration and recovery.
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.
For Money Trees, too much sun can result in scorched leaves and too little light can result in loss of leaves as well as smaller, thinner new growth. If you want your plant to remain full and bushy, consistently pushing out new growth, keep it in brighter light.
Be patient and continue to tend to your Money Tree as proper care guidelines dictate, and you will see the transition completed with new leaves growing to replace the leaves that fell.
Regular pruning encourages the growth of side branches and results in a thicker trunk. Trimming the top growth can promote bushier growth at the base. It's important to always use clean, sharp pruning shears when doing this to avoid damaging the plant.
Browning leaves or leaves with brown spots is a sign that your Money Tree is underwatered.
Signs of Underwatering
If you notice excessive leaf loss outside of the usual seasonal changes, it could be a sign of underwatering. Stunted Growth: Underwatered trees may experience stunted growth as they divert resources to conserving water rather than investing in new growth.
If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water).
With most plants it is better to slightly under water than to overwater. When plants are under watered, they can usually recover within a few hours after receiving water. If they are overwatered, this can cause roots to rot, and the recovery process will take much longer.
Is Overwatering Worse Than Underwatering? Overwatering is as equally lethal as underwatering in plants. The colossal factor is blamed on the length of exposure: the more time the soil was soggy or dry, the more a plant is likely not to survive.