Pest identification
What's eating my money tree?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits in trunk crevices, leaf axils, and along stems; leaves yellow, curl, and drop; sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Dab with isopropyl-alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; spray entire plant including trunk joints with neem oil solution; repeat every 7–10 days for a month.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown or tan bumps on stems and the braided trunk; yellowing leaves; sooty mould on sticky honeydew deposits.
Control: Scrape scales off with a soft toothbrush; apply neem or horticultural oil spray to coat all surfaces; repeat fortnightly.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale speckling on leaves; silky webbing on leaf undersides; leaves look dusty and eventually drop.
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; shower the canopy; apply insecticidal soap spray weekly; increase ambient humidity to deter mites.
Keep money tree pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Money tree pests — FAQ
What is eating my money tree?
Money tree (Pachira aquatica) is most commonly troubled by mealybugs and spider mites indoors. Scale insects cling to the braided trunk and stems, and fungus gnats breed in overwatered soil. The braided trunk creates many hidden crevices where mealybugs go unnoticed — inspect every stem junction carefully during routine care.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on money tree?
White cottony deposits in trunk crevices, leaf axils, and along stems; leaves yellow, curl, and drop; sticky honeydew residue. Dab with isopropyl-alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; spray entire plant including trunk joints with neem oil solution; repeat every 7–10 days for a month.
How do I get rid of scale insects on money tree?
Hard brown or tan bumps on stems and the braided trunk; yellowing leaves; sooty mould on sticky honeydew deposits. Scrape scales off with a soft toothbrush; apply neem or horticultural oil spray to coat all surfaces; repeat fortnightly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on money tree?
Fine pale speckling on leaves; silky webbing on leaf undersides; leaves look dusty and eventually drop. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; shower the canopy; apply insecticidal soap spray weekly; increase ambient humidity to deter mites.