If you already have a Chinese Money Plant and are concerned about the yellowing of its leaves? Don’t worry! Yellowing leaves are a common problem that many plant parents face. The good news is that it is usually easy to fix once you identify the cause.
This article will discuss the top 5 reasons why your Chinese Money Plant’s leaves may be turning yellow and how you can diagnose and treat the issue.
With some patience and the proper knowledge, you can help your Chinese Money Plant thrive and continue to add some greenery to your indoor space.
5 Reasons Why My Chinese Money Plant Leaves Turning Yellow
Overwatering
Overwatering is a common cause of yellowing leaves in many plants, including Chinese Money Plants. When your plant’s roots are constantly saturated with water, they become waterlogged and cannot absorb nutrients properly.
This will lead to root rot and ultimately cause your plant to wilt & its leaves to turn yellow. Therefore, to know whether your plant is overwatered, you should look at the soil and its leaves. The leaves of your money plant will start turning yellow and becoming soft and mushy if it is overwatered. This can also result in leaves falling off unexpectedly. Consider taking a look at this article, where I’ve discussed how watering issues can result in Chinese money plant leaves falling off.
Underwatering
On the other hand, underwatering can also cause yellowing leaves in Chinese Money Plants. When a money plant is not watered enough, it cannot absorb the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Again, this will cause the money plant leaves to turn yellow and become crispy or brittle. If this is the case, your money plant leaves will depend on yellow and crisp while the soil is dry & pulling away from the edges of the pot.
If this is the case, you must pay attention to check the soil moisture with your finger. If it feels dry, thoroughly water your money plant until water flows out of the drainage holes. After that, water your plant regularly, but not too frequently. I usually like adding a layer of mulch to help retain moisture in the soil.
Direct Sunlight
Another common cause of yellowing leaves in Chinese Money Plants is direct sunlight exposure. Even though money plants need bright, indirect light to thrive, direct Sunlight can scorch their leaves and cause them to turn yellow. I’ve also shared a compressive guide on Do Money Plants Like Direct Sunlight? If you want, consider checking it out.
Hence if your plant is suffering from too much direct Sunlight, you may notice its leaves turning yellow and brown on the edges or becoming crispy. If you have kept your money plant exposed to fix exposure to direct Sunlight, consider moving your plant to a shadier spot with indirect light. You can also try using a sheer curtain to filter the light or move your plant away from the window.
Lack of proper drainage
All types of plants need proper drainage to grow successfully and thrive. If your Chinese Money Plant doesn’t have adequate drainage, it can lead to waterlogging and root rot. This will cause the leaves to turn yellow and the plant to wilt.
When there is a lack of proper drainage, the money plant’s leaves turn yellow and become soft and mushy. The soil may also have a sour or rotten smell. If so, I recommend you make a sound drainage hole in your pot so the excess water can escape properly. You can also consider repotting your plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
Soil pH Imbalance
Do you know Chinese money plants prefer a slightly acidic soil pH of around 6.0 to 7.0? If your soil pH is too high or too low, it will directly affect your plant’s ability to absorb nutrients properly, leading to yellowing leaves.
If this is the case, I highly recommend using a soil pH testing kit readily available at most garden centers. If the pH is too high, add sulfur or aluminum sulfate to lower it . If it’s too low, add lime to raise the pH level.
Make sure you are not using tap water as it tends to be alkaline, which significantly raises the soil’s pH level over time. Instead, experts recommend using rainwater or distilled water to water your Chinese Money Plant. Also, using the correct soil type when repotting your plant would be best.
I highly advise you to consider getting a well-draining soil mix specifically formulated for indoor plants. Add organic matter, such as peat moss or compost, to the ground to maintain an ancient.
Many experts recommend regularly testing the soil pH and adjusting it as needed to help prevent this issue. You must also avoid over-fertilizing your plant, as excess fertilizer can affect the soil pH.
Diagnosing Chinese Money Plant Leaves Turning Yellow
Step 1: You Need To Observe Your Money Leaves From Where Colour Change Is Starting.
Mostly you need to examine your money plant leaves closely and look for patterns of yellowing, like if the yellowstartsting from the tips of the edges of its leaves or if the entire leaf is turning yellow. CHECK if the yellowing is uniform across the plant or affects specific areas.
Step 2: Now, Check The Soil Moisture By Inserting Your Finger 1-2 inches Deep Into The Soil.
You also need to check the soil’s moisture level by inserting your finger 1-2 inches deep into the ground. If it feels wet, it could be a sign of overwatering. If the soil is dry and crumbly, it could be a sign of underwatering.
Step 3: Thirdly, Assess The Light Exposure If It’s In Direct Sunlight Or A Shaded Area.
You should also check the amount of light the plant is receiving. Is it in direct sunlight, or is it in a shaded area? You should know that Chinese Money Plants require bright, indirect light, so if your plant receives too much or too little light, it can cause yellowing leaves.
Step 4: After that, Examine If The Pot Doesn’t Have Adequate Drainage Holes
Check the drainage of the pot. If the bank lacks drainage holes, it can lead to waterlogging and root rot, which can cause yellowing leaves.
Step 5: Lastly, Test the soil pH Using A Soil Test Kit.
If all the steps fail, you must test the soil pH using a soil test kit. Chinese Money Plants prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. If your soil pH is too high or too low, it can affect the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and cause yellowing leaves
Treatment
| Cause of yellowing leaves | Treatment |
| Overwatering | Reduce the watering frequency and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Improve drainage by repotting in well-draining soil or adding perlite. Remove any damaged or rotting roots. |
| Underwatering | Water thoroughly and regularly, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not soggy. Increase humidity around the plant by misting or placing a water tray nearby. |
| Exposure to direct Sunlight | Move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light. Consider using a sheer curtain or blinds to filter the light. |
| Lack of proper drainage | Improve drainage by repotting in well-draining soil or adding perlite. Ensure the pot has drainage holes. |
| Soil pH imbalance | Adjust soil pH to the range of 6.0 to 7.0 by adding amendments such as sphagnum peat moss, sulfur, or lime. |
| Nutrient deficiency | Apply a balanced fertilizer according to package instructions, ensuring not to over-fertilize. Consider supplementing with micronutrients such as iron or magnesium. |
Prevention
- You should always use room-temperature water and avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent fungal growth.
- Always use a balanced fertilizer once every four to six weeks during the growing season, and dilute the solution to half-strength to prevent burning the roots.
- You must keep your money plant in a well-draining potting mix that is slightly acidic, with a pH of around 6.0 to 7.0.
- Place your money plant near a bright but indirect light source, and avoid exposing it to direct Sunlight. If necessary, use a sheer curtain or shade to filter the light.
- Lastly, avoid exposing your plant to extreme temperature fluctuations or dry air to prevent yellowing leaves.
FAQs
What Other Pests Or Diseases Can Affect Chinese Money Plants?
Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can affect Chinese Money Plants. Surprisingly, they can also be susceptible to diseases like root rot and powdery mildew. This is why I recommend you regularly monitor your plant and take action promptly if you notice any signs of infestation or disease. If your Chinese money plant has white spots, it is suffering from pests..
What Kind Of Soil Should I Use For My Chinese Money Plant?
I don’t know if you know this, but Chinese Money Plants prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A good potting mix for Chinese Money Plants should include peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Never use heavy soils that retain water, as this can lead to overwatering and root rot issues.
Can I Keep My Chinese Money Plant Outdoor?
Do you know Chinese Money Plants are native to subtropical regions and prefer a warm, humid environment? Even though they can be grown outdoors in warm climates, Chinese money plants will not tolerate extreme temperatures or direct Sunlight. It is best to keep Chinese Money Plants indoors or in a protected outdoor area with indirect Sunlight and consistent temperatures.
Conclusion
Now you know everything you should know about the Chinese money plant leaves turning yellow. After learning so many things, I hope you will be able to diagnose and treat this problem early before it gets severe.
Suppose you ignore the yellowing of your Chinese plant leaves or the whole plant. In that case, it can soon wilt, wither, and die (Yellow leaves is not the culprit for your plant death alone. Check 9 Reasons Why Is My Money Plant Dying to be ahead of saving your plant and prevent any mishappen from recurring). There can be several causes of yellowing in Chinese money plants, including overwatering, underwatering, improper fertilization, excessive temperature, lack of Sunlight, high-intensity light, or poor drainage system.
The fix can be as easy as the problem if you know the real culprit. If you find the article helpful, then consider sharing it. Your share will help many people learn about the issue of yellow leaves on Chinese money plants and what they can do about it.
Apart from this post, I have also shared many other helpful articles on Chinese plant care and management. Therefore, take a moment to check out those as if you will plant one or already have one. See you in the next post, till then, take care and goodbye.
