Money Plant Keeps Losing Leaves – Your 7-Step Expert Guide To Stop

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Hello, fellow gardeners! There’s nothing more disheartening than watching the vibrant, heart-shaped leaves of your beloved Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) turn a sad shade of yellow and drop to the floor. It’s a sight that can make even the most seasoned plant parent feel a little worried.

But please, don’t panic! I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone in this struggle. This is one of the most common issues plant lovers face, and the good news is, it’s almost always fixable once you know what to look for.

In this complete guide, we’ll get to the bottom of why your money plant keeps losing leaves. We’ll go through a simple diagnostic process and I’ll provide you with a step-by-step revival plan. Think of me as your friendly gardening coach, here to help you nurse your plant back to its lush, trailing glory.

Let’s get those hands dirty and bring your beautiful plant back to life!

First, Let’s Play Detective: The Common Problems with Money Plant Keeps Losing Leaves

Before we can fix the problem, we need to understand the cause. Your Money Plant, also known as Pothos, is incredibly communicative. Yellowing, dropping leaves are its way of telling you something isn’t quite right in its world. Let’s investigate the most likely suspects.

Overwatering: The Most Common Culprit

I see this all the time. We love our plants so much that we sometimes kill them with kindness—specifically, too much water. When a Money Plant’s soil is constantly soggy, the roots can’t breathe. This leads to root rot, a serious condition where the roots turn mushy and die, unable to absorb nutrients.

Signs of Overwatering:

  • Leaves turn yellow, often starting with the lower ones.
  • The yellow leaves feel soft and limp, not crispy.
  • The soil is consistently damp or wet to the touch.
  • You might notice a musty smell coming from the soil.

Underwatering: The Thirsty Plant’s Cry for Help

On the flip side, forgetting to water can also cause leaf drop. When the plant is too dry, it will sacrifice its older leaves to conserve water and energy for new growth. It’s a survival mechanism, but one we want to avoid!

Signs of Underwatering:

  • Leaves turn yellow or brown and feel dry and crispy.
  • The entire plant looks wilted and droopy.
  • The soil is bone-dry and may pull away from the sides of the pot.
  • The lower leaves are typically the first to go.

Lighting Issues: Too Much or Too Little Sun

Money Plants are famous for their tolerance of low light, but they still have preferences. Placing them in direct, harsh sunlight can scorch their leaves, causing them to turn pale yellow and eventually drop. Conversely, while they can survive in very low light, they won’t thrive. Insufficient light can also lead to yellowing leaves and leggy, sparse growth.

Nutrient Problems and Fertilizing Mistakes

Like any living thing, your plant needs food. If it’s been in the same soil for years, it may have used up all the available nutrients. A lack of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen, can cause the older, lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off as the plant prioritizes new growth. However, too much fertilizer can burn the roots, leading to similar symptoms.

Environmental Stress and Acclimation

Did you just bring your plant home? Or maybe you recently moved it to a new spot? Plants are sensitive to sudden changes in their environment. A sudden drop in temperature, a draft from a window, or a change in humidity can shock the plant, causing it to drop a few leaves as it adjusts. This is usually temporary!

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The Watering Woes: Finding the Sweet Spot for Your Pothos

If your money plant keeps losing leaves, the first place to check is your watering routine. This is truly one of the most crucial money plant keeps losing leaves best practices to master. The goal is to mimic its natural environment—a good soak, followed by a period of drying out.

The golden rule is this: water thoroughly, but infrequently. Instead of watering on a strict schedule (e.g., every Saturday), get in the habit of checking 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 and check again. When you do water, give it a good, deep drink until water flows freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This ensures the entire root ball gets hydrated.

Let There Be Light (But Not Too Much!): Perfecting Your Plant’s Placement

Finding the right light is like finding the perfect home for your plant. Money Plants thrive in bright, indirect light. What does that mean in a real home?

Think of a spot near an east-facing window where it gets gentle morning sun, or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window where the light is bright but not beaming directly on the leaves. If you see the leaves looking pale or “bleached,” it’s getting too much sun. If the new leaves are small and the stems are long and stretched out, it’s probably not getting enough.

Feeding Your Fortune: A Simple Guide to Fertilizing

Fertilizing can feel intimidating, but don’t worry—Money Plants are not heavy feeders. During the growing season (spring and summer), you can feed your plant with a balanced, all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer once every 4-6 weeks.

Here’s a pro tip: Always dilute the fertilizer to half the strength recommended on the package. It’s much safer to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize and risk burning the delicate roots. In the fall and winter, you can stop fertilizing altogether as the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Your Money Plant Revival Plan: A Step-by-Step Care Guide

Okay, you’ve diagnosed the potential issues. Now, let’s talk about how to solve the problem when your money plant keeps losing leaves. This is your go-to action plan.

  1. Prune the Damage: Using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, carefully trim off all the yellow and dead leaves. This not only makes your plant look better but also directs its energy toward new, healthy growth. This is one of the best money plant keeps losing leaves tips for a quick aesthetic fix.
  2. Inspect the Roots: Gently slide the plant out of its pot. Are the roots firm and white or light tan? That’s healthy! Are they brown, black, and mushy? That’s root rot. If you find rot, trim away all the affected parts with your clean shears. Be ruthless—the rot can spread.
  3. Provide Fresh Soil: If you found root rot or if the soil is old and compacted, it’s time to repot. Choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the root ball and has excellent drainage holes. Use a fresh, well-draining potting mix. You can buy a commercial mix or make your own with potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
  4. Repot and Settle In: Place the plant in its new pot, fill in with fresh soil, and gently pat it down. Give it a thorough watering until it drains from the bottom.
  5. Find the Perfect Spot: Move your plant to its ideal location with bright, indirect light, away from drafts or direct heat sources.
  6. Adjust Your Watering: Let the top two inches of soil dry out completely before watering again. This is the most important step for long-term health!
  7. Be Patient: Your plant has been through some stress. Give it a few weeks to acclimate and recover. Soon, you should be rewarded with new, healthy leaves.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Money Plant Care

Part of being a great gardener is caring for our planet, too. A wonderful benefit of understanding why your money plant keeps losing leaves is that it empowers you to adopt more sustainable habits.

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Here are a few eco-friendly money plant keeps losing leaves ideas to incorporate into your routine:

  • Water Conservation: Collect rainwater to water your plants. It’s free of the chlorine and minerals found in tap water. You can also place a tray under your plant to catch excess water and reuse it for another thirsty plant.
  • DIY Fertilizers: Instead of chemical fertilizers, consider natural alternatives. Water from boiling vegetables (once cooled) or used coffee grounds (in moderation) can provide a gentle nutrient boost.
  • Natural Pest Control: If you spot pests, reach for a simple solution of soapy water or neem oil spray instead of harsh chemical pesticides. It’s safer for you, your pets, and the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions: Money Plant Leaf Drop

Is it normal for a money plant to lose some leaves?

Yes, absolutely! It’s perfectly normal for older, lower leaves to yellow and drop off occasionally as the plant ages and puts its energy into producing new growth at the tips of its vines. The key is to watch for excessive or sudden leaf loss, which indicates an underlying problem.

Can a money plant recover from losing all its leaves?

It’s possible, so don’t give up hope! As long as the main stem and the root system are still healthy and alive, there is a good chance it can regrow its leaves. Prune back the bare stems, ensure it has proper light and water, and be patient. You might be surprised by its resilience.

Why are my money plant leaves turning yellow but not falling off?

This is often the first warning sign. Yellowing leaves that are still attached are a strong indicator of an issue that is just beginning, most commonly overwatering or a nutrient deficiency. Use this as your cue to check the soil moisture and consider when you last fertilized.

How often should I water my money plant to prevent leaf loss?

There’s no magic number, as it depends entirely on your home’s temperature, light, and humidity. Instead of a schedule, rely on the “finger test.” Check the soil every few days, and only water when the top 1-2 inches are completely dry. This is the best way to avoid both over- and underwatering.

Your Journey to a Thriving Money Plant

Seeing your money plant in distress can be tough, but I hope this guide has shown you that you have all the power to turn things around. Remember, your plant is a living thing, and learning its language is part of the joy of gardening.

By paying attention to its signals—the color of its leaves, the moisture of its soil, its placement in your home—you’re building a relationship with it. Don’t be discouraged by a few yellow leaves. See them as a learning opportunity.

With a little detective work and the actionable steps in this money plant keeps losing leaves guide, you are well on your way to helping your leafy friend not just survive, but truly thrive. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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