Money tree shedding leaves: reasons and what to do

The money tree, or Crassula, is considered a very unpretentious plant. At home, it easily tolerates long periods of time without water and lack of lighting.

That’s why it is so popular among novice flower growers - caring for it does not cause much trouble, but it looks wonderful and even, according to legend, contributes to financial prosperity in the family. In addition, money tree (crassula) has medicinal properties.

But sometimes it happens that the leaves of the money tree begin to fall off , the plant withers and may even die. Why does this happen and how to avoid the sudden death of this wonderful indoor plant?

Why do Crassula leaves fall off?

Dropping leaves is the most common reaction of the Crassula to unfavorable living conditions. The leaves of the money tree fall for many reasons, sometimes it is very difficult to find out. Here are the most common reasons why a plant's leaves fly off:

• Insufficient or excessive watering and air humidity;
• Incorrect lighting of the plant;
• Lack of feeding and replanting;
• Diseases and pests.

Lack and excess of moisture in the soil and air affects the plant differently. But both of these factors can lead to the fact that the fat plant begins to shed its leaves. Insufficient watering and low air humidity lead to wilting and wrinkling of the leaves of the fat plant. The leaf blades become thinner, curl up and gradually dry out. Dry and half-dried leaves of the money tree flower are falling off.

When there is an abundance of moisture in the air and it stagnates in the soil, the leaves of the fat plant become covered with white dots.

If watering and humidity are not reduced in time, the root system of the plant will rot. This is accompanied by massive yellowing of the leaves, starting from the bottom. With root rot, leaves fall off, completely exposing the branches.

Errors in lighting the Crassula also affect its leaves and decorativeness.

When there is insufficient lighting, the leaves of the plant become smaller and the branches become elongated. Then the leaves fall, but this happens gradually, starting from the bottom. And in direct sun, the leaves wrinkle and turn red, and then dry out and fall off.

Very important components of plant care are fertilizing and replanting in new soil.

Crassula does not require a lot of nutrients. But if irresponsible gardeners do not replant their plants for years and never feed them, they no longer have enough nutrition. Crassula slows down its growth and loses leaves from below. In advanced cases, the plant is completely exposed.

Crassula often loses its leaves due to disease or pest damage. The most common diseases of this species are root and stem rot. At the same time, the leaves turn yellow and fall off already at the initial stages of the disease, first individually, then en masse.

There are other accompanying symptoms. With root rot, this is a cessation of growth. With stem rot - softening of the trunk and branches. The pest-affected Crassula also sheds its leaves. They may turn yellow or dry out before falling off. If during leaf fall harmful insects are found on the plant, it is for this reason that the money tree withers and sheds its leaves.

Violation of the watering regime

Crassula belongs to succulents - that is, plants that can calmly survive drought due to the accumulation of moisture in the leaves and stems. But prolonged waterlogging is fatal for Crassula. Observe your pet carefully:

• if the fat plant drops thick green leaves and the soil is wet, it means it has been flooded. The leaves have accumulated too much moisture and are no longer able to stay on the trunk. If this condition continues, the roots will begin to rot, so excess moisture does not go into the plant. You need to remove the Crassula from the pot, dry the soil and only then return the Crassula “home”.
• if the fat plant sheds wrinkled, yellow leaves, then the reason is exactly the opposite: prolonged drought. Crassula has exhausted all the stored moisture and, in order to preserve the trunk and roots, is freed from the leaves. In this case, the plant just needs to be watered, being careful not to flood it. The optimal amount of moisture is that which allows you to completely wet the earthen ball, but does not stagnate on the surface.

Recommendation! The money tree is watered only when the soil dries 3-5 cm. In winter, during a period of relative dormancy - once every 2 weeks, in summer - once a week.

To prevent flooding, it is necessary to arrange good drainage in the pot. And adding a moisture regulator – vermiculite – to the soil will help retain moisture in the event of a long absence of watering (for example, when leaving).

Important! You need to water the fat plant, especially in winter, with settled, warm water.

How to save a money tree if its leaves fall

If leaves fall from the money tree (crassula), and the causes of this phenomenon are established, they must be eliminated immediately. If this is incorrect care, you can simply correct it.

The plant will begin to grow foliage and send out new shoots. With the treatment of diseases, the situation is more complicated. Here you can’t do without special compounds. You should also know how to deal with harmful insects so that the fat plant suffers less from them and regains its decorative appearance.

Adjust the watering regime

If a money tree loses its leaves due to improper watering, it needs to be adjusted. In summer, the fat plant needs to be watered abundantly, but rarely. Between waterings, the earthen ball in the pot should dry out almost completely.

Typically watered every 2 weeks in summer. In winter, the plant, which is in a cool hibernation, is watered very rarely and little.

Only in very hot weather can you water a little more often. At low temperatures, there is a high risk of developing fungal infections.

Therefore, the money tree is kept so that only the lower part of the soil in the pot is slightly damp. The rest of the earthen lump should be dry. Watering is carried out monthly in small portions.

Tap water is left to stand for 3-4 days in an open container. Water the tree with warm water, the temperature of which should be 2-3ºC higher than the ambient temperature. You should not water the plant with cold water, since when the roots suddenly cool down, the leaves of the tree often fall off.

Choose the right lighting for the plant

The fat woman is very light-loving. It grows well in bright light. But the light must be diffused. Direct sunlight can leave burns on the leaves and cause defoliation. Lack of lighting can also cause leaves to fall and branches to stretch out.

A plant in partial shade weakens and grows poorly. First, the leaves fall on the lower branches, then in the rest of the crown.

In order for the fat woman to feel good, it needs to be placed on the south-east window. There is too much direct sun on southern windows; the plant needs to be shaded. In winter, the tree also requires bright light. But since during this period the natural light is weak, it is recommended to supplement the plant with phytolamps.

Adjust the feeding scheme

Crassula is adapted to life on depleted soils. Therefore, the leaves of the money tree fall only when there is a severe nutritional deficiency. To prevent leaf falling, it is necessary to regularly feed the plant with fertilizers.

Feeding of the fat woman is carried out from the beginning of May to the end of September.

Feed every 2 weeks. Fertilizers are applied to moist soil 3-4 hours after watering. This way the fertilizer is better absorbed and does not damage the roots.

When feeding fat plants, they use fertilizers for cacti and succulents. It is advisable to purchase liquid formulations that can be easily diluted with water to obtain a portion for watering. They can be used in accordance with the instructions.

You can buy fertilizers for decorative leafy plants. If you dilute them according to the instructions, then their concentration will be too high for the fatty acid. They are diluted with water to obtain 2 times less concentration.

Choose the right container for planting

When choosing a pot for Crassula, the following characteristics are important: material of manufacture, dimensions and shape. Crassula is best planted in a clay pot. This is a porous material, it allows air to pass through to the roots, and water evaporates through it. In a clay pot, the roots of the plant will not rot, since the earthen ball has the ability to dry out evenly in all directions.

Crassula grows much worse in plastic pots. There is a risk of root rot even with moderate watering.

Crassula does not need a large pot. Its root system is small, much smaller than the crown of a tree. The pot is needed such that when planting there is a distance of 1 cm from the roots of the plant to the walls of the pot.

You can’t buy a pot “for growth.” The roots of the plant will not develop the soil, it will begin to turn sour. The tree pot should not be tall and narrow. Wide and shallow pots are preferred. The container should be no higher than its diameter.

Cure Crassula from disease

The most common diseases of the money tree that cause leaves to fly off are fungal infections. The most common of these are:

• Root rot is a dangerous disease. First, the leaves of the crassula turn yellow and fall off, and the fall becomes widespread. Then the plant dies, since its roots are completely damaged and do not perform their functions. The only way to save a plant from root rot is by emergency replanting;
• Trunk rot is a disease in which the trunk and branches of a plant gradually rot and the tree falls. No treatment has been developed for this disease. Sometimes root rot progresses to stem rot. In this case, you need to trim the roots and part of the stem to living tissue. The top of the tree can be rooted and then you can enjoy the look of the Crassula;
• Sometimes rot occurs on tree branches. Such a branch is cut out, removing all rotten places. Its top can also be rooted. And the entire plant must be treated with an antifungal drug.

Eliminate Crassula Pests

, the following types can most often

• Spider mite - when affected by this pest, the leaves of the Crassula intensively fall off. The pest itself is not visible due to its small size. But the cobwebs on the undersides of the leaves give it away;
• Scale insects are one of the most dangerous pests. Adult insects can be collected by hand, as they are not sensitive to pesticides;
• Mealybug - can infect not only the fat plant, but also nearby flowers. It moves slowly through the plant. In places where they accumulate, everything is covered with white powdery discharge.

To control pests, commercial preparations are used:

• Insecticides – to control insects;
• Acaricides – means to combat ticks;
• Mixed drugs.

Preventive measures

Every experienced gardener knows that it is better to spend a little time on prevention than to urgently look for the cause of the disease or death of the flower.

The following steps will help you grow a beautiful and healthy indoor plant:

1. First of all, you need to learn how to water Crassula correctly. Excessive watering inevitably causes the flower to wither its leaves. Take note of this rule - it is better not to add water than to overfill it.
2. Provide the flower with soft, diffused sunlight.
3. After turning on the heating in winter, make sure that the plant does not dry out. You can place a small container of water next to the pot to humidify the air.
4. Periodically treat with complex preparations against fungi and insect pests.

We advise you to learn about the medicinal properties and contraindications of the fat plant.
Now you know that improper care can destroy the money tree. Remember that even if a plant has dropped all its leaves, it is never too late to save it. Let the tips for caring for this flower help you grow a luxurious decoration for every home.

What to do if a tree has dropped its branches

Crassula lowers branches when their elasticity decreases. This happens for several reasons:

• Insufficient watering and decreased air humidity. The fat woman is adapted to life in water shortages. However, the room often experiences not only a dry, but even an arid climate, especially in winter during the heating season. If the branches of the plant become limp and drooping, the leaves fall off, you need to water the plant, and then adjust the watering regime;
• A sharp drop in temperature. A sudden drop in temperature occurs not only in winter, but at any time. After standing in a cold draft or under air conditioning, tree branches lose turgor and leaves fall off;
• Stem rot. Turgor is sharply lost due to stem rot. The trunk and branches rot from the inside, the leaves fall off. A sick plant can be revived by removing rotten areas. Cut branches are rooted. The plant is transplanted into a new pot and cared for as usual.

Biological features of the Crassula

In ordinary plants, mature and well established, the root goes beyond the projection of the crown. This rule does not work with leafy succulents, including money trees.

The most commonly found in culture are the Crassula Ovata and Treelike. They form a voluminous above-ground part and reach a height of:

• in nature – up to 3 m;
• when grown at home - 1-1.5 m.

The fibrous root remains small and weak. In his homeland, South Africa, he is inactive most of the time. And when it rains, it turns into a pump, pumping water from the upper layers of the soil. And it does it quickly, because moisture does not stay in poor, well-drained soil.

Water accumulates in powerful stems, small, fleshy leaves covered with thick epidermis. They are real reservoirs for moisture and allow the fat plant to survive in drought.

In Russian apartments, conditions differ significantly from South Africa or warm countries where money trees grow outside, especially in winter. Although the plastic plant has adapted well to them, the biological characteristics and origin of the Crassula must be taken into account. Otherwise, you will have to look for the reasons why the plates have become soft, fall off, dry out or turn black.

What measures to take if the money tree breaks

Crassula is a fairly large and fragile plant. When a money tree falls, not only will its leaves fall off, it may break or break into small pieces. The plant may fall out of the pot during dry wintering. Its roots do not hold well in dry soil, and its crown is quite lush and heavy. Sometimes a tree falls when the trunk softens.

In case of a normal fall, if the plant is severely damaged, it is recommended to collect fragments of the tree and cut cuttings from them.

If the plant is almost undamaged, you need to trim the fat plant, removing broken branches. Plant the rest in new soil. If a tree falls due to stem rot, it cannot be saved. You can try cutting cuttings for rooting from apical shoots. But they must be cut carefully so that there are no rotten areas left on the cuttings, otherwise the cutting will not take root and will die.

Monkey tree, Crassula or Crassula - what kind of flower is it?

The popular name - money tree - was obtained due to the external similarity of the leaves of the flower to coins. The monkey tree is most often called the plant in Southern countries. Crassula is a Russian name that appeared due to its fleshy and thick leaves.

Well maintained money tree

The height of a bush or tree can reach even 1 meter. The leaf plates of the flower are collected in so-called rosettes, in which moisture condensation occurs. Thanks to thick leaves covered with a waxy coating, the tree is reliably protected from drying out.

Conclusion

Why did the leaves of the money tree turn yellow and fall off? A leaf plate can turn yellow for one reason - improper lighting, most often a lack of light. The table shows the main signs of the disease.

Table - “First signs of Crassula disease”

Note! Proper watering, feeding and maintaining temperature conditions will prevent the fat woman from getting sick.

Diagnosis of rotting-softening of fatty grass

If a visual inspection of the plant showed you that the trunk of the plant has softened, the branches have bent, and the once juicy and elastic leaves have become thin and fall off, there are common fungal diseases of the plant - stem and root rot.
In this case, urgently take measures to save the flower. The money tree can drop healthy leaves, which then take root. This method of reproduction is inherent in nature. This usually occurs in the spring, when the plant emerges from its dormant period, and in small quantities - at almost any time.

Roots

The first call indicates rotting of the roots - the growth of the money tree has stopped. The disease of the rhizome can only be confirmed by removing the flower from the pot.

The root rots if:

• it softened and became grayish-brown;
• root hairs (small roots) become dry;
• The root is slimy and gives off a musty smell.

Trunk

Rotting of the plant trunk develops after rotting of the roots. The tree trunk softens, easily separates from the rhizome, and eventually the plant falls.

What can cause a plant’s branches to droop and begin to fall off and how to solve the problem?

In some cases, the branches of the Crassula first drop and then fall off, and to help the flower in this situation you need to know why this happens.

1. Unfortunately, the plant may begin to rot from above; this is a disease brought from the outside, and not caused by improper care.
   The first thing to do in this case is to isolate the affected tree and treat it with antifungal agents. It is better not to take cuttings from a plant affected by a fungus or pests, as the disease can be inherited by the new shoot.
2. One of the causes of leaves and branches falling independent of care is natural aging. In this situation, it is recommended to carry out radical pruning so that the tree can rejuvenate by sending out new shoots.

Most often, the problem of leaves falling from a money tree lies in improper care. If you correct it, the plant is likely to quickly return to normal.

Crassula is an original plant that does not require special attention. But at the same time, we should not forget about the basic rules of caring for it. If this is not done, the plant may have problems. For example: the money tree withers, dries, grows poorly, leans to one side and falls, does not want to bloom, the leaves turn yellow and fall or become soft and wrinkled. You will learn how to save Crassula in these cases from our articles.