Why are my money tree’s leaves turning yellow when it can’t handle standing water?

Yellow leaves on a money tree have several possible causes. UC Statewide IPM Program says houseplant decline is most commonly linked to improper watering. Check the soil and roots first. Then look at humidity, light, cold, drafts and pests. Change one thing at a time so you can tell what helped.

Updated 27 October 2026

Is one yellow leaf on my money tree normal?

Sometimes it is. The Royal Horticultural Society says it is normal for the odd lower leaf on a mature plant to yellow and fall. Many yellow leaves can come from too much or too little water, or from overpotting into too large a container.

University of Maryland Extension says leaf yellowing is often one of the first symptoms of plant stress. If the stress isn’t relieved, yellow leaves may turn brown.

Think about recent moves, too. University of Illinois Extension says moving a plant can cause yellowing or leaf drop, but the plant will eventually adjust if conditions are favorable. If yellowing lasts longer than a few weeks, it says to place the plant in another spot and change its watering schedule slightly. If leaves are falling, see our guide to leaf drop.

How do I tell if watering is the problem?

Money tree is picky about water. NC State Extension says it does not tolerate standing water, which can cause root rot. It also says leaf drop can occur if the soil is too dry. University of Illinois Extension says yellow leaves can also mean the plant is overwatered.

1. Check the soil. Feel how wet or dry it is before you water. Our guide on how to tell if a plant needs water can help.
2. Look at the roots. UC Statewide IPM Program says houseplants can often be removed from their containers so you can examine the roots. University of Illinois Extension says healthy roots are generally white. Rusty orange to light brown roots point to underwatering. Dark brown to black roots point to overwatering.
3. Watch for root rot. UC Statewide IPM Program says brownish to blackish or dark yellowish roots, especially at the root tips, often mean root rot is present.
4. Let overwatered soil dry. University of Illinois Extension says to withhold water until the soil is quite dry. Then gradually begin a new watering schedule.

Drainage matters too. UC Statewide IPM Program says root rot is often linked to poor drainage and overwatering. Drainage can get worse as potting medium ages, settles and packs down at the bottom of the pot. NC State Extension says a potted money tree prefers a moist, well-drained potting medium of peat moss, perlite, loam, or sand.

To compare the two problems, read overwatering vs. underwatering.

What else can turn a money tree’s leaves yellow?

Dry air, strong sun, cold and low nutrients can all play a part. NC State Extension says yellow leaves can occur if the humidity is too low. It also says money tree thrives in a humid place with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In colder climates, it says to bring the tree indoors before temperatures drop to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

NC State Extension says money tree prefers indirect sunlight or a mix of sun and shade. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves. The Royal Horticultural Society says too much light or midday sunshine can make leaves droop or scorch yellow. It also lists too shady a spot, cold temperatures, a sudden temperature drop and drafts as causes of heavy yellowing.

University of Illinois Extension says yellowing may occur when a plant needs fertilizer. Depending on the nutrient, it may start at the leaf edges or from the veins outward. It also says a root-bound plant may need fertilization and may simply need repotting into a larger container. The Royal Horticultural Society says root stress, such as under or over watering, can induce nutrient deficiencies.

Could pests or disease be behind the yellow leaves?

They can be. NC State Extension says to monitor money tree for aphids, mealybugs, scale and fungus gnats. Check leaf undersides, stems and the soil surface.

UC Statewide IPM Program says typical mealybug symptoms are stunted growth, yellowing and leaf wilting. For spider mites, it describes yellowed leaves with tiny speckling, later bronzed and drying, with webbing near growing points. It says the low humidity in most indoor spaces favors mites, and so does dust. Our guide to spider mites covers what to look for.

The same source says overwatering and poor drainage may promote fungus gnats. It says to eliminate standing water and let the soil dry as much as possible between waterings. See fungus gnats for more.

NC State Extension lists anthracnose, powdery mildew and root rot from standing water as potential diseases of money tree. UC Statewide IPM Program says systemic bacterial diseases can cause wilting and general yellowing. It says sparse watering and low fertilization can prevent common ones.

If you find a pest or disease, UC Statewide IPM Program says to isolate an established plant immediately so the problem doesn’t spread. It adds that some soft-bodied insects and mites can be removed by washing leaves and stems with water.

What if I can’t tell what’s wrong?

Watch the pattern. University of Maryland Extension says noticing the pattern and progression of symptoms helps diagnose the cause. It also says symptoms are often blamed on insects or diseases when the real problem is in the plant’s environment.

University of Illinois Extension says fertilizer is not an appropriate first response when a leaf yellows. Look at water, roots, light and temperature first.

Photos help you track change over time. Our guide on how to photograph a sick plant shows how to get clear shots.

Plant Doctor, an AI plant diagnosis app for iPhone, can look at three photos and suggest the most likely cause, along with a step-by-step care plan.

UC Statewide IPM Program says once a problem is found, it is sometimes not practical to restore a plant’s health. For a severe or unclear case, ask a local nursery or your extension service.

Money tree questions