Comments on: Pachira Aquatica – Money Tree

By: Lorelei

Lorelei — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:49:58 +0000

REGARDING THE STICKY SUBSTANCE. . . . .
There are various insects that produce a clear, sticky liquid known as ‘honeydew’ after sucking large amounts of sap from the plant either on the trunk/stem or the leaves. This would cause the decline of health in the plant. My plant had that at one point too. When you see that honeydew, it’s best to rinse off the whole plant in the shower with a gentle spray. Always check the undersides of the leaves for insects and spray the leaves too, gently while sort of supporting the other side of the leaf while you spray. This will help dislodge the insects. Sometimes they will just look like a teeny white speck of dust but if you had a microscope, you’d see that those specks are actually insects. I used a solution of soapy water in a spray bottle and it worked over time. You can also purchase “insecticidal soap” which is essentially the same thing but stronger & more effective and works on a lot of different insects. You can also buy horticultural oil which is the same thing as neem oil and dilute it according to directions and spray it~ but that would be more for scale insects which just look like a natural part of the wood. Often times, you will see ants too because they like the honeydew. Whatever you use, give it time. I think if there are spots on the leaves it’s probably due to an insect sucking but it could also be sunburn spots. Mine doesn’t seem to like too much heat or bright light~ just move it away from the window.

I just want to add that these plants really seem to thrive on neglect. I keep mine in the bathroom where there is no natural light and put it in the shower for a thorough watering about once/ month. I let it drain over night and then water it with plant food before I put it back on the shelf and forget about it. The #1 cause for dead houseplants is OVERWATERING! Most plants like to dry out (in about the top 3 inches of soil) betwn waterings.

By: Lorelei

Lorelei — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:09:13 +0000

I have had one of these plants for years and it also came with the glued rocks. I eventually got rid of them and repotted it with new potting soil. The plant has made several moves with me and alternated btwn healthy & thriving and practically dead with no leaves. At one point, I meant to throw it away because it looked just about dead. I put under my deck where I store pots with soil left over and when spring arrived, I went to grab some pots from under the deck and the plant had come back to life and was full of leaves! It wasn’t even in a pot! That was about a year ago and it looks sick again with just 2 small leaves at the top of each long skinny trunk. I’m wondering if I can cut part of the green part of the trunk/stem to encourage growth below.

By: Beth Braddock

Beth Braddock — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:53:01 +0000

I just received my money tree. The tag on it says that the bulb is used to make paper currency in Taiwan and Japan. It only has three leaves per stem. Is this the same type discussed here? Also, is it toxic to cats?

By: Svit

Svit — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:40:38 +0000

I have the same issue with my plnts as Ellen describe: My money plant was flourishing. Now some of the leaves have yellow and brown spots. They feel a bit sticky.
After pinching off all the yellow and brown spotted sticky leaves, I notices another new development. There were tiny, clear droplets along some of the stems and on some leaves. The substance feels sticky.
Is there any help for our beautiful plants?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:04:53 +0000

I have a 6′ money tree….it’s not doing that good. Does anyone know why it has little droplets of sticky stuff on the bottom of the leaves and on the branches. Please help if you can…..I have tried googling this but I can’t seem to find what it is. PLEASE HELP…SO I CAN HELP MY MONEY TREE!! Thank you…

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:17:08 +0000

I finally took charge of my plant and took out the dead roots. I totally over-watered my beautiful plant. So sad! But I’m happy I can save at least two braids out of five! Now I need to know what to do with the two I’ve saved. The roots are wet. Should I let them dry out a bit? In the sun? From what I’ve read, it seems I should put rocks at the bottom of the pot and mix in sand with the soil. Any other suggestions?

By: JB

JB — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:41:35 +0000

Need advice please. I have a 5′ Money Tree that just these past few months, the leaves are turning brown on the tips. Please with new growth, but even those leaves are curling and turning brown. Just today noticed yellowing as well, but recall that is typical for the cooler months here in SW PA. Bought this at a box box home improvement store and has done well for the past two years. For the first time I took the plant outside for sunshine for a few days. Not longer after that I noticed the brown leaves. Assumed too much sun, but not so sure now that new growth is displaying same symptoms.

I repotted the tree this year. Seemed to adjust well until I took it outside. I only water it when the soil is dry. Sometimes think I wait too long. However, nothing different from last year.

Seemed that the tree was getting new growth on the top and wanting to promote growth elsewhere I trimmed on of the stalks. (Leaves already brown) Doesn’t seem to have harmed the tree and seeing new growth.

Really want to save this tree. Any advice for the brown tips is appreciated. Feel that I should move the tree where it was last year, further away from direct sunlight and aware from the furnace air duct.

Any thoughts? Friend thought I should fertilize???

By: adnan shaikh

adnan shaikh — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:29:21 +0000

pls can u help me about my money plant is going dieing pls all of you help me my plant i dont now why my lives all is falling down and he is not growing up new lives so tell me what can i do i am puting water every 15 day only little but still not good so kindly its is heardly request tell me what can i do this is third plant i buy same problem going dieing thanks pls reply me all brother and sister

By: Mickisue

Mickisue — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 23:35:26 +0000

I received a small (probably from Target) pachira for my birthday nearly 5 years ago. It must have liked our family room, because it grew to over 6 feet tall over the years.

A little too late, I learned that they do NOT like to be watered frequently, because they are native to the desert. Once I started letting the soil dry out completely between waterings, it got less leggy, and did much better.

Don’t be too concerned about the braiding. just take your time as you braid, and the branches will do fine. A well braided plant will have more stability, and, as it gets larger, will be much easier to turn for even sunlight.

We are currently dealing with a quandary, though. We put the tree outside for the summer. After a time of acclimation, it decided that it loves it out there, and has flourished. Unfortunately, we live in MN, and the plant’s love affair with the great outdoors will end badly, with the first hard frost.

We’ve decided to cut it back, and, for insurance, try to root a cutting or two. Then comes the big plastic bag to catch and kill any bugs that have decided to take up residence, before we bring it indoors with all the other plants.

Wish us luck!

Remember, your pachira likes some light, regular but not excessive water, and infrequent repotting, even as it grows.

By: Shir

Shir — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:28:29 +0000

same issue as joyce above – 5 braid now reduced to 3 (2 were completely limp and dried out, came right out of soil). remaining 3 are thriving, no problems with foliage. would it be suggested to salvage the healthy stems by repotting them? (to prevent the rot from spreading?)