Plant Problem Lab
Money Tree profile

Plant + symptom guide

Money Tree root rot

Root rot is more likely when decline comes with wet soil, sour smell, mushy roots, soft stems, or a sealed pot. It is worth checking carefully before repotting.

For money tree, read this symptom alongside how the plant usually behaves: Money trees yellow or drop leaves from overwatering, low light, cold drafts, or braided stems staying too wet. Check the pot setup before adding water.

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Possible causes

overwateringno drainagedense soillow light plus slow dryingoverwatering or slow-drying soillow light slowing growth and water use

What to check

Smell the soil and look for sour or swampy odor.

Slide the root ball out only if decline is severe or the pot has no drainage.

Check for brown, mushy roots versus firm pale roots.

Check whether the braided trunk base is soft or dark.

Look for water trapped in the outer pot.

Evergreen diagnosis

Money tree root rot can hide inside a braided planting

Money tree root rot often starts when the pot stays wet around the roots or inside a decorative container. In braided plants, one trunk may rot while the rest still look healthy, which can delay action.

The warning signs are yellowing leaves, leaf drop, a soft trunk, sour soil, or a pot that remains heavy for too long after watering.

Check each trunk, not just the leaves

A healthy money tree trunk should feel firm. A soft, dark, or wrinkled trunk near the soil line may be failing from rot.

Unpot the plant if the soil is wet and decline continues. Trim mushy roots, remove dead trunks, and repot remaining healthy trunks in fresh draining mix.

Recovery needs less soil around fewer roots

After root loss, a large pot can stay wet too long and restart the problem. Money trees recover better when the pot matches the reduced root system.

Hold the plant warm, bright, and only lightly moist until new growth begins. Do not fertilize while the roots are damaged.

Careful next steps for Money Tree

  1. Step 1

    Isolate the plant if rot is severe or pests are also present.

  2. Step 2

    Trim dead roots and repot into a faster-draining mix if roots are mushy.

  3. Step 3

    Do not fertilize while roots are recovering.

Related symptoms

Other Money Tree symptoms to check

Money Tree yellow leavesYellow leaves make more sense when you check which leaves changed, how wet the soil is, light level, drainage, and recent care changes.Open guideMoney Tree leaf dropLeaf drop often follows a change: light, temperature, watering, pests, or repotting. Timing usually tells you more than one dropped leaf.Open guideMoney Tree brown tipsBrown tips usually build after repeated small stresses. Separate dry air and salts from underwatering, wet roots, and pest damage.Open guide

Useful reading

Read next for this problem

Overwatered Plant Signs plant symptom example
Watering Problems7 min read

Overwatered Plant Signs

An overwatered plant often looks thirsty. Wet soil, yellow lower leaves, drooping, fungus gnats, and soft stems are stronger clues than one symptom alone.

Read the guide