What should I do if the leaves of the money tree turn yellow?

The money tree , with its elegant shape, evergreen leaves and auspicious meaning, has become the first choice of foliage plant for many people's interior decoration. Although the maintenance of the money tree is relatively simple, beginners may still encounter problems such as root rot and yellow leaves. These problems often stem from a lack of understanding of the growth habits of the money tree, leading to improper maintenance methods. Let’s learn and understand below what causes the leaves of the money tree to turn yellow and what to do about it?

1. Avoid using clay soil

The roots of the newly purchased money tree are relatively fragile, mainly consisting of tiny fibrous roots, and have high requirements for soil. Using clay soil is not conducive to root expansion, and can easily lead to soil compaction, affecting water penetration. Therefore, soft and breathable nutrient soil should be used when potting. If there is no ready-made nutrient soil, you can collect leaf mold yourself and mix it with a small amount of garden soil and coal slag particles to enhance the permeability of the soil, ensure that the potting soil is loose and breathable, which is conducive to the healthy growth of the root system.

2. Control the frequency of watering

The money tree prefers a moist semi-shady environment, but avoids waterlogging. Many money tree root rot problems are caused by overwatering. Because its root system is thin and has limited absorption capacity, if the soil permeability is poor, frequent watering will cause the roots to be unable to breathe normally, eventually leading to root rot and yellowing of leaves. When watering the money tree, you should wait until the surface of the soil in the pot is dry before watering it thoroughly, or use a bamboo stick to check whether the soil 2-3 cm deep in the pot is dry, and judge whether watering is needed accordingly. There is no need to water frequently when the soil in the pot is not dry.

3. Reasonable fertilization

Root rot and yellow leaf problems of money tree may also be related to fertilization. Improper fertilization, such as the use of unfermented raw fertilizers (such as milk , rice water, fruit peels, etc.), will ferment in the pot and generate heat, burn the roots, and cause root rot and yellowing of leaves. When applying fertilizer, you should follow the principle of "applying small amounts of fertilizer frequently" to avoid applying excessive amounts of fertilizer at one time. Organic fertilizer must be fully fermented and decomposed before it can be used. It is not advisable to use organic fertilizer for indoor money trees. It is recommended to use general plant nutrient solution and water it 1-2 times a month to promote lush growth of the plant.

4. Avoid direct sunlight

The money tree is afraid of strong light and should not be placed directly in the sun for maintenance. It does not require strong direct light, only weak scattered light can meet its growth needs. When caring for the money tree in summer, you should pay attention to shade, place the potted plant in a cool and ventilated environment, and spray water around the potted plant regularly to increase the environmental humidity and lower the temperature.

In general, doing a good job of daily maintenance can effectively avoid root rot and yellow leaves of the money tree and maintain its healthy growth.