Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Money plants (Pachira aquatica) are tough, but they are not immune to disease. Most diseases of money plant come down to one root cause: too much water sitting around the roots. This guide shows you how to identify the main problems, act on them quickly, and stop them from coming back.

Identify the Most Common Diseases First

Before you treat anything, match the symptoms to the likely problem. Most issues fall into three groups.

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  • Root rot: Soft, brown or black stems near the soil line, a sour or swampy smell, and leaves that yellow and drop even though the soil stays wet.
  • Leaf spot (fungal or bacterial): Brown or black spots, often with a yellow halo, that spread from older leaves upward.
  • Powdery mildew: White, flour-like coating on leaf surfaces, usually in dry air with poor airflow.

Pull the plant from its pot if you suspect root trouble. Healthy roots are firm and pale; rotted roots are mushy and dark, and they often slip off in your fingers. For another angle, check out Preventing Plant Diseases in the Home Garden.

Treat Root Rot Before It Spreads

Root rot is the most serious of the diseases of money plant, and it is also the most common one caused by care mistakes. Act quickly.

  1. Remove the plant from the pot and shake off the old soil.
  2. Cut away every black, mushy root with clean scissors or pruners. Disinfect the blades with rubbing alcohol between cuts.
  3. If the trunk base is soft, cut above the damage. Money trees can often root again from healthy stem tissue.
  4. Repot in a clean container with drainage holes, using fresh, fast-draining mix (roughly one part perlite or pumice to two parts potting mix).
  5. Hold off on watering for about 3–5 days, then water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.

Expect some leaf drop after repotting. That is normal recovery, not a sign of failure.

Manage Leaf Spot and Powdery Mildew

Leaf spot and powdery mildew usually respond well to better conditions plus targeted treatment. Start with the environment, then use a product only if the problem continues.

Leaf spot steps

  • Remove and discard affected leaves. Do not compost them.
  • Stop overhead watering and keep leaves as dry as possible.
  • Apply a copper-based or broad-spectrum fungicide labeled for houseplants, following the label rate exactly.

Powdery mildew steps

  • Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, or rinse them, to remove the coating.
  • Improve airflow by moving the plant away from crowded shelves or closed corners.
  • Raise humidity slightly, but avoid soggy soil. Mildew is less common when leaves stay dry and air moves freely.

Prevent Diseases of Money Plant Before They Start

Prevention is far easier than cure. Focus on three habits: water correctly, give the plant good light and airflow, and quarantine new plants.

Factor Recommended practice
Watering Water when the top 2 inches are dry; empty saucers within 30 minutes
Light Bright, indirect light; a few hours of gentle morning sun is fine
Pot Drainage holes are required; size up only one pot size at a time
New plants Isolate for 2–3 weeks and inspect leaf undersides and stems

If you are also dealing with discolored foliage, compare symptoms with our guide to Money Tree Plant Leaves Turning Yellow: Causes and Fixes That Work, since yellowing often has the same root-related cause.

A few basic tools make disease treatment much easier and reduce the chance of spreading infection between plants.

  • Sharp, sterile pruning snips: Clean cuts heal faster and give rot less room to enter. View on Amazon
  • Fast-draining potting mix or pumice: Keeps roots from sitting in water after repotting. View on Amazon
  • Soil moisture meter: Takes the guesswork out of when to water. View on Amazon

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Watering on a fixed schedule instead of checking soil moisture first.
  • Letting the pot sit in standing water in a decorative cachepot.
  • Treating root rot with fungicide alone without removing damaged roots.
  • Spraying leaves in the evening, which keeps moisture on foliage overnight.
  • Skipping sterilization of tools between plants.

FAQ

Can a money plant recover from root rot?

Yes, if enough healthy root and stem tissue remains. Remove all rotted material, repot in fresh, dry-draining mix, and reduce watering for several days.

Is powdery mildew on a money plant dangerous?

It rarely kills the plant, but it weakens leaves and can spread. Wipe leaves clean and improve airflow, and treat with a houseplant fungicide if it persists.

How often should I check my money plant for disease?

Inspect it at least once a week, checking leaf undersides, stem bases and soil moisture. Early catches are much easier to fix.

Conclusion

Most diseases of money plant trace back to excess water and poor airflow. Identify the symptom, remove damaged tissue, and correct the growing conditions. With consistent watering habits, your plant should stay healthy for years.

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Claire Whitaker

About Claire Whitaker

Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our plant care Q&A guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.