10 Causes of Money Tree Leaves Drooping (And Solutions)

Money trees that have drooping leaves are particularly upsetting. Unfortunately, the drooping leaves on your money tree aren’t an uncommon occurrence when taking care of it, so you’re not alone.

Fortunately, once you’ve identified the underlying issue, the situation is simple to resolve.

There is a good chance that money tree leaves are drooping due to underwatering. This is because money trees rely on turgor pressure, which is activated by a consistent water supply, to keep their leaves in a standard shape. To help your plant recover from dehydration, be sure to water it thoroughly. All factors to consider are overwatering, repotting shock, temperature stress, light problems, pests, and diseases.

To understand why your money tree’s leaves are drooping and what you can do to fix it, continue reading.

[1] Money Tree is Too Dehydrated from Underwatering

Okay, let’s start with the most apparent cause of drooping leaves on money trees: underwatering!

Suppose you don’t water your money tree for an extended period. In that case, the soil will dry out, leaving insufficient moisture for the roots to absorb.

However, your plant will continue to use water for growth and other essential processes. At the same time, some will be lost through respiration and transpiration.

Moisture will be lost and used even though little to no is taken up from the soil. Your money will eventually wilt, go limp, and start drooping as a result of turgor pressure loss in your plant.

You might see a lot of drooping and wilting if your money tree is in direct sunlight or the area around it is cold and dry. Other common underwatering symptoms to look out for include:

• Leaf tips and edges that are brown and crunchy
• Foliage that has shrunk or wrinkled
• Leaves that have curled
• Yellowing or discoloration of the leaves
• Growth has been stunted or slowed.
• Some leaves may perish and fall to the ground.
• Money trees that are frequently underwatered may develop a shallow root system.
• Soil that is bone-dry and dusty – the surface may appear grayer than usual.

How to Fix an Underwatered Money Tree with Drooping Leaves

Money trees don’t require a lot of water. In fact, it will probably forgive you if you skip one or two irrigations. But, on the other hand, the potting mix should never dry out to the point of being bone-dry.

You can usually just give your plant some water and watch it come to life again. Remember to irrigate until some water seeps out of the drainage holes, then allow the saucer to dry thoroughly before emptying it.

However, if some of the drooping leaves are falling off early, you may have neglected your plant so much that the soil has dried out completely. In such a dire situation, you’ll want to give your money tree a good soak in the bathtub or sink.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Relocate your money tree to the bathroom or kitchen.
2. Remove the saucer and place it in a bathtub or kitchen sink to soak.
3. Turn on the water until there are 3 to 4 inches of water in the tub/sink.
4. Allow your money tree at least 45 minutes to soak up moisture before watering.
5. After the soil has been moistened, drain the tub/sink and allow your plant to drain thoroughly.
6. Replace it on the saucer and watch for any water dripping.

Don’t forget to irrigate your money tree once the first inch of soil dries out.

[2] You Have Overwatered Your Money Tree

My experience as a gardener has taught me that drooping leaves are almost always the result of inadequate watering. Similarly, money trees are not an exception to this rule.

Overwatering is the inverse of underwatering and may be far more severe. I mentioned earlier that drooping occurs when your plant’s roots cannot absorb enough water to keep up with the plant’s water use and loss through the leaves.

Surprisingly, the same thing happens when you overwater your money tree, but for a completely different reason.

Initially, your money tree will show signs of overwatering, such as yellowing the leaves and edema. If this happens repeatedly, the roots will drown, dieback, and die off because they won’t get enough oxygen.

Also, root rot can be caused by sporadic fungal or bacterial infections. Overall, you can expect your money tree to eventually have roots that are damaged, rotten, or otherwise not functioning correctly.

As a result, despite being surrounded by plenty of water, your plant will become dehydrated, and its leaves will begin to droop over time.

Watch out for other common signs and symptoms of overwatering, such as:

• Smelly soil
• Mold growth on the top layer of soil
• General wilting
• Yellowing bottom leaves
• Mushy, black, or brown roots
• Signs of edema
• Rotten brown base
• Softened or swollen stems
• Brown, water-soaked leaf tips and edges

How to Treat an Overwatered Money Tree

If you notice early signs of overwatering, you must act quickly to avoid negative consequences such as root rot and damage. Fortunately, this means temporarily ceasing watering your plant to allow the soil to dry out.

Improve soil drainage – You can do so in at least three ways:

• Repotting your money tree afresh using nutrient-rich, well-draining growing medium or cactus mix (Check the latest price on Amazon here)
• Drilling more drainage holes at the bottom
• Using a well-drained terracotta pot

If your money tree shows signs of root rot, you can either repot it or discard it and start over through propagation.

[3] Temperature Stress Causing Money Tree Leaves to Droop

At 65-75°F (18-24°C), money trees are best when grown inside. If temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C), it will become frost-tender and suffer permanent leaf damage. The following are some of the symptoms of severe cold:

• Yellowed leaves
• Stunted growth
• Leaf drooping and falling off
• Flower loss

However, suppose you expose your money tree to excessive heat. In that case, it will cause direct damage to the foliage, stems, and roots of your money tree. In addition, respiratory, transpiration, evaporation, and overall water loss will all increase in hot weather.

These issues, when combined, will cause your money tree to become dehydrated, wilted, and limp. It is most noticeable in the spring and summer when the light intensity increases.

How to Fix Temperature Stress

The solution is as simple as moving your money tree away from an area where the temperature is too high. To acclimate your plant to temperature changes, you should do so gradually. A temperature range of 65-75°F (18-24°C) is ideal.

[4] Low Humidity

Having drooping leaves is a common sign that your money tree is located in an area with low humidity. Leaf tip browning can also be caused by a lack of moisture.

Even though this is rarely fatal, it can drive excessive wilting, deformed growth, and yellowing leaves.

Although this will not kill your specimen, you should increase the local moisture to prevent the new growth from developing these symptoms.

Make a humidity tray while the heaters are on and mist or rinse the plant’s foliage to maintain a constant humidity level.

Solution

It’s all about increasing local humidity levels. You can boost humidity levels around your money tree by:

• Grouping your houseplants to generate a humid microclimate
• Using a humidifier (Check the latest price on Amazon here)
• Setting up a pebble water tray for your money tree
• Regularly misting your money tree
• Relocating your money tree to a naturally humid room, such as a bathroom

[5] Money Tree Drooping After Repotting

Due to transfer shock, leaves may droop after repotting. In addition, because the roots are not accustomed to the new potting mix, they cannot absorb water adequately. This is most noticeable during the first few days of repotting.

Solution

You really don’t need to do anything other than provide your newly-repotted money tree with optimal growing conditions.

In the future, water your money tree thoroughly 24 hours before repotting. Unless root rot is present, it is critical not to disturb the root system too much.

[6] Money Tree is Potted in Wrong Potting Mix

Another common cause is using the incorrect growing medium. This is especially true if the potting mix is poorly drained or deficient in nutrients.

If the soil does not retain enough moisture, it will dry out quickly, resulting in dry and droopy leaves.

On the other hand, if the soil contains too much organic matter, it will retain too much moisture, resulting in waterlogging, root dieback, and root rot. In either case, the leaves will droop due to a lack of nutrients and water.

How to Fix

• Plant your money tree with a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix. 
• You can also use cactus mix and blend in some perlite to improve drainage.

[7] How Much Light Is Your Money Tree Getting?

Money trees, like most plants, require a lot of light to stay healthy and grow. In fact, it requires 6 to 8 hours of bright sunshine per day to produce the best foliage and thrive.

However, if it receives insufficient light in darker areas, it will develop leggy growth, discoloration, and stunted growth.

Furthermore, because the soil dries out slowly in low-light conditions, this increases the likelihood of overwatering, which frequently results in wilting and drooping of money tree leaves.

While money trees tolerate direct sunlight outside, indoor plants require 6+ hours of medium to bright indirect sunlight. Suppose the leaves are exposed to too much direct sunlight.

In that case, they will become sun-scorched, browned at the edges, and droop due to excessive moisture loss through increased levels of evaporation, transpiration, and respiration.

Excessive light will also aggravate the symptoms of low humidity, underwatering, and overheating.

Solutions

First, figure out if your money tree is getting enough or too much light.

Relocate it near a south-facing window if it isn’t getting enough light. This will provide at least six hours of bright indirect sunlight each day.

Move it to a shady location to reduce the direct sunlight it receives. Make sure the afternoon sun doesn’t shine directly on your money tree. It should be placed near a window with a sheer curtain or drapery to keep it from direct sunlight.

[8] Is Your Money Tree Getting Enough Nutrients?

Nutrient imbalances in a money tree can show up in various ways, with drooping being one of the most common. The lack of food will cause wilting, stifled growth, and the drooping of your money tree if it isn’t getting enough nourishment.

Remember that money trees grow at a rate of 24 inches per year, making them one of the fastest-growing trees. It takes a lot of nutrients to keep this impressive growth going, particularly nitrogen, potassium, and other micronutrients. a lot of

The money tree may be responding to the nutrient deficiency if its leaves turn yellow or pale green before drooping and dying.

If you want some help reviving your dying money tree, check out my other article for helpful tips and tricks!

How to Fix Nutrient Deficiency in Money Trees

Feeding your money tree fertilizer is easy to correct the nutrient deficiency. In addition, it’s an excellent method for reintroducing nutrients into the growing medium.

Fertilize your money tree once or twice a month during the spring and summer, then once every two months through the fall. I recommend using half-strength houseplant fertilizer instead of full strength.

Repot your money tree with a nutrient-rich, well-draining cactus mix.

[9] Insect Infestation

Pests such as thrips, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects can attack money trees, mainly if they are grown outdoors. This is because they deplete the leaves of their vital fluids, causing them to droop and collapse.

How to Get Rid of Money Tree Bugs

• Use natural remedies such as predatory bugs such as lacewings, beetles, and so on.
• Rub rubbing alcohol on the infested plant parts to kill bugs with the waxy outer coating.
• To get rid of some pests, hose down your money tree.
• Spray your money tree with neem oil, insecticidal soap, or a non-toxic insecticide.

[10] Money Tree Diseases Causing Leaves to Droop

Money trees are susceptible to a wide range of bacterial and fungal diseases, in addition to root rot caused by excessive moisture.

Diseases typically thrive in humid, poorly ventilated environments. They are often aided by overhead irrigation, foliage splashing, and poor garden hygiene.

These diseases may result in leaves drooping in 2 ways:

• First, they affect the roots’ function and health
• Also, they disrupt the flow of nutrients and water through the leaf tissue, causing turgor pressure loss and leaf drooping.

Solution

First and foremost, you should prune out and destroy any diseased plant matter, as well as quarantine any affected plants, as soon as possible.

Increase air circulation and use proper irrigation techniques.

You can treat your money tree with fungicides or bactericides if the infection is severe.

Taking these steps will help you revive your money tree.

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