How come my money tree leaves are turning brown? Did you know that not giving money trees enough water can hurt their leaves? Not only that, the whole plant will be hurt.
They are known to bring good vibes and positivity to the house and life. However, what is wrong with your money tree plants? Why do their leaves have turned brown? The beautiful, lush green leaves should not turn brown. It’s still possible to get your money tree plant back, so let’s look at what went wrong and how to fix it.
The money tree, also known as Pachira aquatica, is a popular indoor plant known for its palm-shaped leaves and easy care routine. However, many money tree owners notice the tips of the leaves turning brown, which can be worrying.
Brown leaf tips are often a sign of an underlying issue that needs your attention. By understanding the various causes and implementing the correct solutions, you can restore the health and beauty of your money tree.
Frequency of Entities
- money tree: 15 times
- leaf tips: 10 times
- turning brown: 8 times
- leaves: 18 times
- soil: 12 times
- water: 9 times
What Causes Brown Tips on Money Tree Leaves?
Here are the most common reasons behind brown tips on money tree leaves and how to identify them
Overwatering
Too much moisture in the soil is the number one culprit when it comes to money tree leaf tip browning. These tropical plants are adapted to getting occasional heavy rainfalls followed by periods of drought in their native habitats.
Consistently soggy soil creates an environment for harmful fungal and bacterial growth. It also suffocates the roots, preventing them from getting oxygen. Both these factors damage the roots’ ability to uptake water and nutrients to nourish the leaves.
Check if the leaves feel mushy or if the soil stays wet for too long after watering. Brown leaf tips appear within a few days in overwatered money trees.
Underwatering
While overwatering is the more common problem, letting the soil dry out too much can also cause brown leaf tips in money trees.
If the plant goes too long without water, the roots shrivel up and are unable to effectively transport moisture and nutrients to the leaves This results in the leaves drying out, beginning with the tips
Feel about an inch into the soil to check its moisture before watering. Money trees in smaller pots may need more frequent watering than those in bigger containers.
Low Humidity
Native to the tropics, money trees require 40-60% relative ambient humidity to thrive. In dry indoor environments, especially during winter when heating systems run, they experience moisture stress.
Low humidity causes the leaf tips to dry out and turn brown. You may also notice crispy brown edges spreading inward from the tips.
Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels around your plant. Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water or using a humidifier helps increase moisture in the air. Grouping plants together also creates a self-contained humid microclimate.
Sunburn
Money trees have a moderate need for sunlight but cannot tolerate direct sun exposure for too long. More than 2-3 hours of direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
This sunburn manifests as browning along the edges and tips of leaves. It may start as yellowing then turn brown as the damage worsens. The affected parts may also feel dry and brittle to the touch.
Filtered sunlight from a sheer curtain or placing it a few feet away from a sunny window prevents sunburn. Also, rotate the pot weekly so all sides get even light exposure.
Dry Air
Heaters, air conditioners, and fans circulate dry air in indoor spaces. Money trees placed in the path of these drafts lose moisture via transpiration from their leaves faster than they can replenish it from the roots.
Prolonged exposure causes the leaf tips and margins to dry out and turn brown. Move your money tree away from heating/cooling vents and direct airflow to prevent this issue.
Incorrect Fertilizer
Money trees need fertilizer applications every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer to support leaf growth. Using a heavy, full-strength fertilizer too often can build up excess salts in the soil.
This salt accumulation dries out and damages the root tips and subsequently the leaves. The first sign is usually browning along the leaf tips and edges. Flush the soil periodically to remove any built-up salts.
Chemicals in Water
Tap water containing chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, or dissolved salts can also cause leaf tip burn when used on money trees.
Let tap water sit out overnight before using it so the chemicals can dissipate. Filtered or distilled water is the best choice for watering indoor plants.
Root Rot
If the leaf tip browning is accompanied by yellowing leaves and leaf drop, it could be a sign of root rot from overwatering. The damaged roots are unable to supply water and nutrition to the entire leaf, causing it to brown and die.
Check for dark, mushy roots and treat any infection with fungicides. Improve drainage and allow the soil to dry adequately between waterings to prevent root rot.
Older Leaves Naturally Dying
As money trees mature and gain height, the older bottom leaves naturally senesce and turn brown beginning with the tips. This allows the plant to focus its energy on the younger, more efficient upper foliage.
As long as the browning is limited to a few of the oldest leaves and the rest look healthy, this is part of the plant’s natural growth. Just trim off the unsightly dying leaves.
How to Fix and Prevent Brown Leaf Tips in Money Trees
Once you’ve diagnosed the specific cause behind your Money Tree’s brown leaf tips, implement corrective measures to restore its health and prevent recurrence:
-
Check soil moisture before watering and adjust schedule to suit your plant’s needs. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
-
Provide a humid environment through pebble trays, grouping plants, or using a humidifier. Maintain 40-60% relative humidity around the money tree.
-
Give bright, indirect light for about 4-6 hours daily. Filter harsh sunlight and rotate the pot to prevent sunburn.
-
Keep away from hot/cold drafts and direct air flow from heating/cooling systems.
-
Use lukewarm water and allow it to sit out overnight before watering to remove chemicals.
-
Fertilize judiciously during the growing season following package directions. Flush the soil every few months.
-
Trim off severely affected leaves to improve the plant’s appearance. This also encourages new growth.
-
Treat root rot using fungicides and improve drainage to fix associated leaf browning.
-
Monitor regularly and adjust care to suit the plant’s needs through different growth phases and seasons.
Common Questions about Money Tree Leaf Tip Browning
Here are some frequently asked questions about browning leaf tips in money trees:
Why are my money tree leaf tips turning brown in winter?
Dry air from indoor heating combined with shorter daylight hours limits moisture uptake through the roots in winter. Increase humidity, reduce watering frequency, and provide grow lights to alleviate winter leaf tip browning.
Should I cut off leaves with brown tips on my money tree?
Removing severely affected leaves improves the plant’s appearance and prevents disease spread. But don’t over-prune, as it still depends on the leaves for photosynthesis.
How often should I water a money tree with brown leaf tips?
Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out before watering again. The frequency depends on factors like season, pot size, plant size, and environment. Adjust your schedule to suit your plant’s needs.
Can brown leaf tips recover on a money tree?
If the damage is minimal and you address the underlying issue, the plant can recover, and new unaffected growth will emerge. But severely damaged browned tissue does not revive.
Why are my money tree leaf tips still brown after watering?
Root damage from overwatering prevents proper water uptake. Browning may worsen or spread if the roots have rotted. Treat any infection, improve drainage, and water more carefully to help recover.
Caring for Healthy Money Trees with Thriving Leaves
Providing good care tailored to your Money Tree’s needs is key to preventing leaf tip browning and other issues. Here are some general growing tips:
-
Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering.
-
Mist leaves or use a humidifier to maintain 40-60% humidity.
-
Keep in bright, indirect light. Rotate the pot weekly.
-
Repot every 2-3 years in spring using fresh potting mix.
-
Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
-
Prune dying or diseased foliage. Wipe leaves to remove dust buildup.
-
Monitor for pests like spider mites and treat promptly if found.
-
Avoid temperature extremes. Keep away from heating/cooling vents.
With the right care, your money tree will thrive indoors for years, delighting you with its vibrant, perky leaves! Proper moisture management is key, but also assess lighting, humidity, and other cultural factors if your plant’s leaves show signs of distress.
Top 5+ causes for Money Tree Leaves Turning Brown
The Browning of leaves indicates that the plant is drying up and getting dehydrated. The situation if ignored can be extremely detrimental to the plant. Money tree plant leaves start to look crispy which is also an indication that the plant needs water.
Another clue about drying up money tree plants is that the soil will look dry. That means you have put a huge gap between the water supplies. The leaves often start to wrinkle and curl up to save the water that’s still in the body. Yellowing leaves are another sign that you should check the soil.
How to fix this?
The money tree likes its soil to be damp, so giving it light watering every other day will keep its roots healthy. The top 1-2’ of the soil should be moist. If it is dry then water the money tree. The money tree should be placed near the moist rim like the bathroom, kitchen, etc.
For an hour, put the pot’s bottom in the soil. This will help the roots soak up water better and get deeper into the soil.
You should only water the money tree once a week if you’re not sure how to do it right. Cut the leaves that are dried out and turn brown. The plant should be watered lightly keeping this in mind.
For more articles like this one about plants, check out Money Tree Root Rot – Signs, Causes.
The overwatered money tree shows brown leaves after they have turned yellow just like hydrangea leaves. If the soil looks wet and mushy, it’s a sign that it’s about to get moldy, which will kill the roots. Soil that doesn’t drain well, like clay, and soil that doesn’t have enough sand can also be to blame. The water standing in the soil is harmful to stems too.
The hard trunk of the money tree is looking faded and soft which can be due to overwatering. The high humidity makes the plant overwatered as well. The water droplets in the air already will reduce evaporation. Water added further into the soil will be detrimental to the plant.
