Money trees are quite easy to care for. However, occasionally the leaves change color, become completely soft and curl up or fall off completely. Soft leaves are a sign that something is wrong with the penny tree's water supply.
Why does my money tree have soft leaves?
Soft leaves on the money tree can be caused by too much water, waterlogging, excessive fertilization or root rot. To solve the problem, you should check the roots, use new substrate if necessary and adjust the fertilizer requirements.
Possible causes of soft leaves on the money tree
Usually the leaves of the money tree are of a strong, usually green color. They are thick and fleshy and feel firm. If soft leaves appear, the following causes may be responsible:
- too much water
- too little moisture (rather rare)
- fertilized too much
- Waterlogging
- Root rot
If the money tree gets soft leaves, take it out of the pot and look at the roots. It often helps to place the houseplant in new substrate that you mix with plenty of sand. How to avoid waterlogging.
Sometimes it makes sense to temporarily place a money tree in a slightly shady and cooler place, especially if it is otherwise in a very sunny location.
The leaves of the penny tree store the water
Penny trees are among the succulents that store moisture in their leaves. That's why they need to be watered so rarely and thrive even when the air in the room is very dry.
If the leaves become soft, they often do not store enough water. But it would be wrong to grab a watering can and water the money tree properly. Too much moisture is often responsible for the soft leaves - waterlogging in particular is the death of a penny tree.
If the substrate is too moist or the roots are even waterlogged, they rot and can no longer absorb water. This means that the leaves are no longer supplied with sufficient moisture.
Incorrect fertilization leads to soft leaves
Caution is also required when fertilizing. Too much fertilizer can also cause soft leaves. Only fertilize a money tree during the growth phase, at most once a month with a little succulent fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon). Apply less fertilizer than stated on the package.
Tip
The money tree is not demanding when it comes to water quality. You can water it with normal tap water as long as it is not too hard. But he prefers rainwater even more.
