The Money Tree, or Pachira aquatica, is a popular choice for indoor greenery due to its braided trunk and palm-like foliage. This houseplant is often susceptible to insect infestations, which can quickly compromise the plant’s health and appearance. Understanding how to diagnose and effectively treat these common pests is the first step in restoring your Money Tree to a healthy state. This guide provides practical steps for managing and preventing insect outbreaks on your houseplant.
Identifying the Invaders
Recognizing the specific type of pest attacking your Money Tree is the quickest way to choose the correct treatment method.
Mealybugs are common invaders, appearing as small, soft-bodied insects covered in a white, cottony wax. These pests typically cluster where leaves meet stems, and their feeding often results in a sticky residue known as honeydew.
Spider mites are another frequent issue, though they are often too small to see clearly. The most telling sign of their presence is fine, delicate webbing stretched across the leaves and stems. Heavy infestations lead to stippling—tiny yellow or brown dots—eventually causing the foliage to yellow and drop prematurely.
The third common pest is scale, appearing as small, helmet-shaped brown or tan bumps firmly attached to the stems and leaf veins. These insects suck sap from the plant tissue, and their hard outer shell makes them challenging to treat with surface sprays alone.
Step-by-Step Guide to Natural Elimination
Upon discovering insect activity, immediately isolate the Money Tree from all other houseplants to prevent the spread of the infestation. The next step involves the physical removal of the pests, which is the most effective initial treatment.
For mealybugs and scale, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the insects directly off the plant surface. The alcohol helps dissolve the waxy or hard protective coating, making the pest vulnerable. For spider mites, take the plant to a sink or bathtub and use a moderate stream of water to spray down the leaves. This mechanical action dislodges a significant number of the insects, especially from the undersides of the leaves.
Once physical removal is complete, an application of insecticidal soap can treat any remaining stragglers. Mix a solution using one to two teaspoons of mild liquid soap per gallon of water, ensuring the soap does not contain degreasers or bleach. Thoroughly spray all parts of the plant, paying careful attention to the undersides of the leaves and the junctions where stems meet the trunk. The fatty acids in the soap penetrate the insect’s outer layer, causing dehydration, but this treatment must contact the pest directly to be effective.
Long-Term Treatment with Neem Oil
For recurring or stubborn infestations, a follow-up treatment with horticultural Neem oil provides both pest control and residual protection. Neem oil functions as an insect growth regulator and a suffocant, blocking breathing pores and disrupting feeding and reproduction cycles.
To prepare the solution, combine one to two tablespoons of 100% cold-pressed Neem oil with one teaspoon of mild liquid soap and one gallon of water. The soap acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and water mix properly for uniform coverage. Before treating the entire plant, test the mixture on a small leaf and wait 24 hours to ensure there is no phytotoxicity.
The application should be comprehensive, saturating all parts of the plant, including the stems and the soil surface. Apply the treatment in the evening or on an overcast day because direct sunlight on the oil-coated leaves can cause severe leaf burn. For active infestations, a weekly application is recommended until no new signs of pest activity are observed, followed by a monthly treatment for maintenance.
Keeping Pests Away
Preventing future infestations requires consistent vigilance and maintaining optimal growing conditions. When introducing a new plant to your home, always quarantine it for two to three weeks, inspecting it daily before placing it near your existing collection. This isolation period prevents pests traveling on new plants from becoming a widespread problem.
Proper air circulation is also a deterrent, as stagnant air can create a favorable environment for pests like spider mites. Placing a small fan nearby to gently move the air around the foliage helps disrupt pest colonization. Routine cleaning of the leaves with a damp cloth removes dust and allows for early inspection of any developing issues.
After an infestation, prune any heavily damaged, yellowed, or dead leaves to redirect the plant’s energy toward new, healthy growth. Ensure the Money Tree receives appropriate water, avoiding both overwatering and underwatering, which stress the plant. A healthy, unstressed plant is naturally more resistant to pest attacks, making proper cultural care the most effective long-term defense.