The term “money plant” typically refers to two common houseplants: the Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or the Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides). Although these species look different, the principles for reviving them from distress are largely the same, focusing on correcting environmental imbalances. A struggling plant signals that its current care routine is insufficient, requiring quick action to diagnose the underlying cause. Successfully rescuing a distressed money plant involves assessing the damage, intervening with targeted treatments, and optimizing its living conditions.
Assessing the Money Plant’s Condition
The first step is to determine the plant’s overall viability before attempting intervention. Check the plant’s structural components, especially the stem and roots, to see if the damage is localized or systemic. Healthy roots are usually firm and white or light tan. Dark, mushy roots or a soft, collapsing stem indicate severe, potentially irreversible rot.
If the main stem feels firm, the plant is likely revivable, even if most leaves have dropped. Examine the soil by inserting a finger a few inches deep. Saturated soil points toward overwatering, while soil that is hard and pulling away from the pot edge suggests severe dehydration. Leaf discoloration provides further clues: yellowing leaves often signal overwatering, while brown, crisp edges are typical of underwatering or low humidity.
Emergency Intervention for Water Stress
Water-related issues are the most frequent causes of decline and demand immediate action.
Root Rot Treatment
If the soil is sodden and the plant is droopy, root rot is the likely culprit, caused by prolonged lack of oxygen to the roots. Carefully remove the plant from its container and gently wash away all the old soil to expose the root system. Preserve healthy roots, but remove all roots that appear black, slimy, or mushy using sterile shears.
After trimming, soak the remaining healthy roots in a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide or a mild fungicide to eliminate lingering pathogens. Repot the plant into a clean container with fresh, well-draining potting mix, ensuring the new pot has adequate drainage holes. Do not water immediately after repotting; allow the wounded roots a day or two to heal before introducing moisture, then begin a cautious watering schedule.
Severe Dehydration Treatment
When a money plant has been severely neglected, the soil can become hydrophobic, meaning it repels water rather than absorbing it. To rehydrate the plant, place the pot in a basin filled with several inches of water, allowing the plant to soak water from the bottom up through the drainage holes for about 30 minutes. This bottom-watering technique slowly re-saturates the soil mass without flushing nutrients or disturbing the roots.
Once the topsoil feels moist, remove the pot and let all excess water drain away. For recovery, water the plant only when the top two inches of soil have dried out. This wet-dry cycle encourages strong root development and prevents a relapse into overwatering.
Optimizing Light and Temperature
Once the water balance is corrected, optimizing the plant’s environmental position is necessary for sustained recovery. Both Pothos and Chinese Money Plants thrive in bright, indirect light, such as near an east or west-facing window. Avoid direct, intense sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves, resulting in permanent brown or white patches.
Insufficient light causes the plant to stretch out with long stems and sparse, pale leaves, a condition known as etiolation. If the plant is leaning toward a light source, it requires more ambient light and should be rotated regularly to promote uniform growth. Temperature stability is also important for recovery, with an ideal range between \(65^{\circ} \text{F}\) and \(80^{\circ} \text{F}\) (\(18^{\circ} \text{C}\) to \(27^{\circ} \text{C}\)).
Avoid placing the recovering plant near sources of extreme temperature fluctuations, such as heating vents, air conditioning units, or exterior doors. These drafts can rapidly dry out the foliage or shock the plant, hindering its ability to photosynthesize efficiently. A humidity level between 40% and 60% is beneficial, which can be maintained by grouping the plant with others or using a pebble tray beneath the pot.
Identifying and Treating Pests
Plant stress from incorrect watering or lighting often makes a money plant vulnerable to common houseplant pests that inhibit recovery. Immediately isolate the struggling plant from other houseplants upon noticing signs of infestation to prevent spread. Tiny white cottony masses indicate mealybugs, fine webbing suggests spider mites, and small, hard bumps on the stems point to scale insects.
For localized infestations, a cotton swab dipped in 70% rubbing alcohol can be used to manually remove pests like mealybugs or scale. A simple insecticidal soap solution, made from mild liquid soap and water, can be sprayed thoroughly over the entire plant, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves where pests hide. Neem oil is an effective organic treatment, acting as both an insecticide and a fungicide when applied correctly, away from direct sunlight.