Plant care guide
Money Tree Brown Tips: Dry Air, Sun, Water or Salts?
Updated
Why does my Money tree have brown tips?
Brown, brittle leaf tips on a money tree usually come from dry air, direct sun, uneven watering or salt buildup in the mix. Tips that turn yellow, then tan, then dark brown and keep spreading can point to anthracnose, a fungal disease.
What to do first
Check the window, the heat vents and the mix before changing anything. Move the plant out of direct sun and drafts, water when the top 5 cm (2 in) is dry, and flush the mix if you see white crust.
Money trees (Pachira aquatica) come from freshwater swamps and riverbanks in tropical Central and South America, NC State Extension notes. A plant from a humid, wet habitat often shows stress at its leaf tips first. Brown tips are a symptom, not a diagnosis. The pattern and the plant’s position tell you which cause to chase.
Brown tissue will not turn green again. The aim is to stop new browning, then judge the plant by its next leaves.
Check the pattern first
| What you see | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Crisp, brown tips on leaves facing a sunny window | Direct sun scorch |
| Brown tips and edges all over, worst in winter or near a vent | Dry air, heat or drafts |
| Brown tips plus white crust on the mix or pot rim | Salt buildup from fertilizer or hard water |
| Brown tips with wilting, or yellow leaves in wet mix | Watering or root problem |
| Tips go yellow, then tan, then dark brown, and the dead area spreads | Possible anthracnose |
Common causes
Direct sun
NC State’s money tree profile says the plant prefers indirect sunlight and that direct sun can cause leaf scorch. A Colorado Master Gardener answering on Ask Extension linked brown, brittle tips on a money tree to direct sun scorching the leaves. Look for damage concentrated on the side facing the glass.
Dry air, heat vents and fans
NC State says the money tree thrives in a humid environment at 18–24 °C (65–75 °F). The Ask Extension answer advises keeping it out of the direct flow of a heat register or fan, which dries the leaves. Iowa State University Extension’s houseplant diagnosis guide calls low humidity the most common reason for brown leaf tips. Indoor humidity is lowest in winter.
Uneven watering
Iowa State says inconsistent watering, especially letting plants dry out too long between waterings, causes brown tips and edges. NC State notes that money trees can drop leaves if the soil is too dry. Overwatering is the opposite risk. NC State warns that standing water is not tolerated and can cause root rot. Clemson’s houseplant disorders factsheet lists improper watering as a cause of brown tips.
Salt buildup and water quality
Clemson says white to grey crusty deposits on the soil surface or pot rim are a sign of salt buildup. Too much fertilizer and hard water both add salts. Iowa State adds that chlorine and fluoride in tap water can brown leaf tips on sensitive species over time.
Anthracnose
NC State lists anthracnose among money tree diseases. Clemson describes anthracnose on houseplants as leaf tips that turn yellow, then tan, then dark brown. The browning may extend around the leaf, and wounds help the fungi get in. That progression is different from a dry, stable brown tip.
What to do
- Move the plant out of direct sun into bright, indirect light. Keep it away from heat registers, fans and cold drafts.
- Check the mix before you water. The Ask Extension answer advises watering when the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil has dried. Water thoroughly, let it drain, and empty the saucer.
- Raise humidity if the room is dry. Iowa State suggests a humidifier, a pebble tray or grouping plants together.
- Flush out salts if you see crust. Clemson recommends drenching the pot periodically to leach salts. Remove salt crusts and top up with fresh mix. Don’t over-fertilize. If you suspect your tap water, Iowa State suggests trying a different water source.
- Check the roots if the mix stays wet. Clemson describes rotted roots as brown to black and soft. Repot into fresh, well-drained mix if you find damage.
- Treat suspected anthracnose quickly. Clemson advises picking off and destroying infected leaves and not misting the leaves. It lists copper soap and other fungicide sprays for use after removing infected parts. Follow the label.
- Trim for looks, if you want. Iowa State notes that cutting off brown tips improves appearance, but new browning follows if the cause remains.
Keep it from coming back
- Give steady, bright, indirect light without direct sun on the leaves.
- Water by the feel of the mix, not a fixed schedule, and never leave the pot in water.
- Keep winter air from heaters off the foliage.
- Feed lightly and flush the pot now and then.
- Check new leaves for spreading tan or brown patches.
NC State also advises monitoring money trees for aphids, mealybugs, scale and fungus gnats. Clemson lists insect feeding as another cause of brown tips. For full care, read our money tree care guide.
Related guides
Other money tree problems we cover: root rot, yellow leaves.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Pachira aquatica
- Ask Extension (Colorado Master Gardener): Money tree with yellow leaves and brown, brittle tips
- Iowa State University Extension: Diagnosing Houseplant Problems from Improper Environmental Conditions
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Houseplant Diseases & Disorders (HGIC 2251)
How this guide was put together: NC State Extension, Ask Extension (Colorado Master Gardener), Iowa State University Extension and Clemson Cooperative Extension guidance.