If your money tree (Pachira aquatica) is looking a bit under the weather, overwatering is often the culprit. Recognizing the signs of an overwatered money tree is the first step to saving your beloved plant.
These popular houseplants are surprisingly resilient, but they have one major weakness: too much water. Their roots need air as much as they need moisture. When the soil stays soggy for too long, it starts a chain reaction that can quickly lead to root rot. Let’s look at the clear signals your plant sends when it’s had more than its fill.
Overwatered Money Tree
The key is to look for a combination of symptoms. One odd leaf might not be a crisis, but several issues together usually point to overwatering.
Yellowing Leaves
This is the most common early sign. The leaves will turn a pale, sickly yellow, often starting with the older leaves at the bottom of the plant. It’s important to note that yellow leaves can also mean other things, like nutrient deficiency. The difference with overwatering is that the yellowing is usually widespread and accompanied by other symptoms on this list.
Leaf Drop (Both Yellow and Green)
Your money tree might start shedding leaves. Sometimes they yellow first, but in more advanced cases, perfectly green leaves can fall off. This is a stress response. The plant is essentially trying to reduce its water needs by getting rid of foliage it can no longer support.
Soft, Mushy Stems and Trunk
Gently squeeze the base of the trunk. A healthy money tree trunk should feel firm and solid. If it feels soft, spongy, or mushy, that’s a serious red flag. This indicates that the rot has moved from the roots up into the main stem. This symptom often appears later in the problem.
Consistently Wet Soil
This seems obvious, but it’s crucial. Don’t just water on a schedule. Check the soil! If the top inch or two of soil is still wet a week after you watered, your soil isn’t draining well or you’re watering too frequently. The pot might also feel unusually heavy for its size.
Brown, Wilting Leaves
This can be confusing because wilting also happens with underwatering. The key difference is the leaf texture. With overwatering, the wilted leaves often feel soft and limp, and they may develop brown, water-soaked spots. With underwatering, wilted leaves are typically dry and crispy.
Foul Odor from the Soil
This is a telltale sign of advanced root rot. If you smell a musty, sour, or rotten odor coming from the pot, it’s likely that the roots are decaying in the anaerobic (oxygen-less) environment. Healthy soil should smell earthy and fresh.
Presence of Fungus Gnats
These tiny, annoying flies love damp soil. While they don’t directly harm a healthy plant heavily, their presence is a great indicator that your soil is staying too wet for too long. They lay their eggs in the top layer of moist soil.
How to Check for Root Rot
If you see several signs above, you need to check the roots. This is the only way to be sure.
- Gently tip the pot and slide the plant out. You might need to tap the sides of the pot to loosen it.
- Examine the root ball. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan.
- Rotted roots will be dark brown or black, feel mushy or slimy, and may fall apart when touched. They often smell bad.
Immediate Rescue Steps for an Overwatered Money Tree
If you’ve caught the problem early, you can often save your plant. Here’s what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Stop Watering Immediately
This is the most important step. Do not add any more water to the soil. Let it begin to dry out.
Step 2: Remove the Plant and Inspect the Roots
As described above, take the plant out of its pot to see the damage. Be gentle but thorough.
Step 3: Trim Away Rotten Roots
Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, cut away all the soft, brown, or black roots. Only healthy, firm roots should remain. Don’t be afraid to cut a lot if necessary; it’s better to remove all the rot. Wipe your tools with rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent spreading disease.
Step 4: Treat the Remaining Roots
You can lightly dust the remaining healthy roots with a fungicide like cinnamon (a natural option) or a commercial copper fungicide. This helps protect the open cuts from further infection.
Step 5: Repot in Fresh, Well-Draining Soil
Never reuse the old, contaminated soil. Choose a fresh, well-draining potting mix. A cactus or succulent mix is excellent, or you can amend a regular potting mix with perlite or orchid bark (about 30-50% amendment). Ensure your pot has ample drainage holes. A terra cotta pot is ideal because it “breathes” and helps soil dry faster.
Step 6: Prune the Foliage
Since you’ve removed a significant portion of the roots, the plant will struggle to support all its leaves. Prune back about one-third of the foliage, focusing on the most damaged leaves and stems. This helps balance the plant and reduces stress.
Step 7: Provide Ideal Recovery Conditions
Place the repotted plant in a bright spot with indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can add stress. Do not water it immediately. Wait about a week to allow the roots to heal and callous over. Then, water very sparingly, just enough to moisten the new soil, and return to a proper watering routine.
How to Water a Money Tree Correctly (And Avoid This in the Future)
Prevention is always easier than rescue. Here’s the golden rule for watering your money tree.
- The Finger Test is Your Best Friend: Always check the soil before watering. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, wait.
- Water Thoroughly but Infrequently: When you do water, do so until water runs freely out the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball gets moisture. Then, empty the saucer or cache pot so the plant isn’t sitting in water.
- Adjust for Seasons: Money trees grow slower in fall and winter. They need much less water during these months. You might only need to water every 3-4 weeks in winter versus every 1-2 weeks in summer.
- Consider the Environment: Plants in low light, cool temperatures, or high humidity dry out slower. Plants in bright, warm, or dry air dry out faster.
Choosing the Right Pot and Soil
Your pot and soil setup are half the battle in preventing overwatering.
- Drainage Holes are Non-Negotiable: Always use a pot with holes in the bottom.
- Size Matters: Don’t pot in a container that’s too large. Excess soil holds excess water that the roots can’t reach, staying wet and causing rot. Only size up 1-2 inches in diameter when repotting.
- Soil is Key: A heavy, moisture-retentive garden soil is a death sentence. Use a light, airy, peat-based potting mix and add extra perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to improve drainage.
FAQ: Your Overwatered Money Tree Questions
Can a money tree recover from overwatering?
Yes, absolutely! If you catch it early and take the right steps to remove rot and repot, money trees are quite good at recovering. Patience is key; new growth is the sign you’re looking for.
How often should you water a money tree?
There’s no set schedule. It depends on light, temperature, pot size, and soil. Always use the finger test. For most indoor conditions, watering every 1-2 weeks during active growth is common, but always check the soil first.
What does root rot look like on a money tree?
Healthy roots are firm and light-colored. Rotted roots are dark brown/black, mushy or slimy, and may have a bad smell. The trunk base may also become soft.
Should I mist my money tree?
Misting doesn’t significantly increase humidity and can promote fungal leaf diseases if overdone. It’s better to use a pebble tray with water or a humidifier if your air is very dry. Focus on proper soil watering instead.
Why are the tips of my money tree leaves turning brown?
While this can be related to overwatering, it’s more commonly a sign of low humidity, fluoride in tap water, or a build-up of salts in the soil from fertilizer. Try using filtered or distilled water and ensure you’re not over-fertilizing.
Remember, your money tree is more tolerant of being a bit too dry than it is of being too wet. When in doubt, wait a day or two before watering. By learning to read your plant’s signals and adjusting your care, you can have a thriving, green money tree for years to come.