Drooping Money Plant: Your Step-By-Step Revival And Care Guide

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling of walking past your beautiful Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum), only to see its once-perky leaves looking sad, limp, and lifeless. We’ve all been there! You start to wonder, “What did I do wrong?” It’s a frustrating moment for any plant parent.

But here’s the good news: I promise you that in most cases, a drooping money plant is not a sign of doom. It’s simply your plant’s way of communicating that it needs a little help. And don’t worry—these plants are wonderfully resilient and perfect for beginners and experts alike.

In this complete guide, we’re going to play plant detective together. We’ll walk through the common causes, pinpoint exactly what your plant is trying to tell you, and lay out the simple, actionable steps to bring it back to its lush, vibrant self. Get ready to turn that droop into a delightful display of green!

Why Is My Money Plant Drooping? Decoding the Signs

Before we jump into solutions, let’s understand the ‘why’. A drooping plant, a condition known as wilting, happens when the plant’s cells lose their turgor pressure—the internal water pressure that keeps stems and leaves firm and upright. Think of it like a balloon that’s slowly losing air.

Your job as a gardener is to figure out what’s causing this loss of pressure. More often than not, it boils down to an issue with its roots, which are the plant’s lifeline for absorbing water and nutrients.

The most common culprits are almost always related to its basic care routine. Let’s investigate the top suspects one by one, starting with the most frequent offender.

The #1 Culprit: A Deep Dive into Watering Woes

If you take away just one thing from this drooping money plant guide, let it be this: watering issues are responsible for about 90% of drooping problems. Both too much and too little water can lead to the same sad, wilted appearance, so it’s crucial to know the difference.

The Telltale Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering is the most common mistake loving plant owners make. We just want to give them everything they need, but sometimes we give them too much of a good thing!

When you overwater, the soil becomes waterlogged. This suffocates the roots, cutting off their oxygen supply and leading to the dreaded root rot. Damaged, rotting roots can’t absorb water, so ironically, an overwatered plant droops because it’s dying of thirst.

Look for these clues:

  • Leaves are limp and floppy, but not crispy.
  • You notice yellowing leaves, especially the lower ones near the base of the plant.
  • The soil is consistently damp or soggy to the touch, even days after watering.
  • You might detect a musty, swampy smell coming from the soil.
  • The stems feel mushy or soft at the base.

Your Revival Plan:

  1. Stop Watering Immediately. Do not give it another drop until you’ve assessed the situation.
  2. Improve Airflow. Gently poke a few holes in the soil with a chopstick to help aerate it.
  3. Check the Roots. If the soil is very wet, gently slide the plant out of its pot. Healthy roots are white and firm. Rotted roots will be brown, black, and mushy.
  4. Prune and Repot. If you find root rot, use clean scissors to trim away all the mushy parts. Repot the plant in a new pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. This is one of the most important drooping money plant tips for recovery.

The Telltale Signs of Underwatering

An underwatered Money Plant is a much simpler problem to solve! This is a straightforward case of thirst. The plant has used up all the available water in the soil and doesn’t have enough to keep its cells plump and rigid.

Look for these clues:

  • The leaves look wilted and feel soft, but they may also have crispy brown edges.
  • The soil is bone dry and may have pulled away from the sides of the pot.

    • – The entire pot feels unusually light when you lift it.

  • The lower leaves might turn yellow and shrivel up completely.

Your Revival Plan:

  1. Give it a Deep Drink. The best method is bottom watering. Place the pot in a sink or basin with a few inches of water. Let it sit for 30-45 minutes, allowing the soil to soak up water from the bottom through the drainage holes.
  2. Let it Drain. Once the top of the soil is moist, remove the pot from the water and let any excess drain away completely. Never let your plant sit in a saucer full of water.
  3. Monitor and Adjust. Your plant should perk up within a few hours! This is a great time to reassess your watering schedule to prevent it from happening again.
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How to Water Your Money Plant Correctly

To avoid both issues, follow these drooping money plant best practices for watering:

Always check the soil first. Stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, wait a few more days. This simple test is far more reliable than watering on a rigid schedule.

Let There Be Light (But Not Too Much!)

Money Plants are famous for being adaptable to various light levels, but they still have a “sweet spot.” The wrong kind of light can stress the plant and cause it to droop.

Too Much Direct Sun

Imagine being out in the scorching sun all day with no shade—you’d wilt, too! Direct, intense sunlight can burn the delicate leaves of a Money Plant and cause it to lose moisture too quickly, leading to drooping.

Symptoms: You’ll see drooping combined with pale, yellow, or scorched-looking patches on the leaves that get the most sun.

Solution: It’s an easy fix! Simply move your plant to a spot where it receives bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is perfect, or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window.

Not Enough Light

While Money Plants can survive in low light, they won’t thrive. In a dim corner, the plant has to work much harder to photosynthesize. This can lead to weak, leggy stems that aren’t strong enough to support the leaves, causing a droopy appearance.

Symptoms: The plant looks generally listless. Growth is sparse, new leaves are small, and variegated varieties may lose their beautiful patterns and revert to solid green.

Solution: Move your plant to a brighter location. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it perks up and starts pushing out new, healthy growth.

Beyond Water and Light: Other Common Problems with Drooping Money Plant

If you’ve checked your watering and light and your plant is still unhappy, it’s time to investigate a few other potential stressors. These are less common but are still important parts of any complete drooping money plant care guide.

Temperature Stress and Humidity

Money Plants are tropical natives, so they enjoy warmth and humidity. They are happiest in temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C). Sudden temperature drops, cold drafts from an air conditioner, or blasts of hot air from a heating vent can shock the plant and cause it to wilt.

The Fix: Keep your plant in a location with a stable temperature, away from drafty windows, doors, and vents. If your home is very dry, consider misting the leaves every few days or placing the pot on a pebble tray with water to boost local humidity.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Is your plant hungry? If it’s been in the same soil for over a year and you haven’t been fertilizing, it may have used up all the available nutrients. A lack of essential minerals can lead to weak growth and drooping.

The Fix: Feed your Money Plant with a balanced, all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer growing season. Be sure to dilute it to half-strength to avoid burning the roots. Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant.

Pest Infestations

Tiny pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale can literally suck the life out of your plant. They feed on the sap in the leaves and stems, causing them to weaken, yellow, and droop.

The Fix: Inspect your plant closely, especially the undersides of leaves and where the stem meets the leaf. If you see fine webbing (spider mites) or tiny cottony white spots (mealybugs), it’s time for action. Wipe them off with a damp cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, a gentle spray of neem oil or insecticidal soap is an effective treatment.

Being Root-Bound

If your plant has been in the same pot for a long time, it might be root-bound. This means the roots have filled the entire pot and have no more room to grow. A tangled, compacted root ball can’t absorb water and nutrients efficiently, leading to a perpetually thirsty, drooping plant.

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The Fix: Check for roots growing out of the drainage holes or a dense mat of roots on the soil surface. If it’s root-bound, it’s time to repot! Choose a new pot that is only 1-2 inches wider in diameter than the current one. Gently loosen the root ball and place it in the new pot with fresh potting mix.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Drooping Money Plant Practices

Part of being a great gardener is caring for our planet, too. Embracing sustainable drooping money plant care is easy and rewarding. It not only helps the environment but can also lead to a healthier plant.

  • Choose Peat-Free Soil: Peat bogs are vital ecosystems. Opt for potting mixes that use sustainable alternatives like coco coir.
  • Make Your Own Compost: Nourish your Money Plant with homemade compost tea. It’s a fantastic, nutrient-rich, and eco-friendly drooping money plant fertilizer.
  • Conserve Water: Practice bottom-watering to ensure water goes directly to the roots with less evaporation and waste.
  • Propagate and Share: One of the best benefits of drooping money plant care is how easy they are to propagate! Instead of buying a new plant, simply take a cutting from your existing one, root it in water, and share the green joy with friends.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your Drooping Money Plant

Why is my money plant drooping after repotting?

This is almost always due to “transplant shock.” The plant’s delicate root system has been disturbed and needs time to recover and establish itself in the new soil. It’s completely normal! Just provide consistent care—don’t overwater to compensate—and it should perk up within a week or two.

Can a drooping money plant recover?

Absolutely! Money Plants are incredibly resilient. As long as you identify the problem and correct the care conditions, your plant has an excellent chance of bouncing back to full health. The key is to act quickly once you notice the droop.

Do money plants droop at night?

Some plants exhibit a natural movement called “nyctinasty,” where their leaves droop slightly at night and rise again in the morning. While Money Plants aren’t known for dramatic movement, a very slight droop can be normal. However, if the drooping is significant and persists into the day, it’s a sign of one of the stress factors we’ve discussed.

How long does it take for a drooping money plant to recover?

The recovery time depends entirely on the cause. If the issue was simple thirst, it could perk up in just a few hours after a good watering. If it was overwatered and needed to dry out, it might take a few days to a week. For more serious issues like advanced root rot or a severe pest infestation, recovery could take several weeks of consistent care.

Your Path to a Happy, Thriving Money Plant

Seeing a drooping money plant can be disheartening, but remember, it’s a call for help, not a final farewell. By carefully observing your plant and running through the checklist of potential causes—water, light, soil, and pests—you can quickly diagnose the problem and set it on the path to recovery.

Your green friend is tougher than you think. With a little attention and the right adjustments, you’ll be rewarded with the lush, cascading vines that make the Money Plant a beloved favorite in homes everywhere.

Go on, take another look at your plant with your new detective skills. You’ve got this. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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