Is your Money Tree leaking sap?
Sometimes, you do see a kind of white substance releasing from the leaves of your plant.
It can happen due to several reasons.
And that’s what we are going to find out in today’s guide.
In this guide, I have shared the common reasons and solutions for this Money Tree problem.
So, let’s check them out below.
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5 Reasons Why Your Money Tree Is Leaking Sap
Take a look at the following reasons for this issue –
1. Guttation
Guttation is a natural behavior of the plant.
Money Tree also shows this behavior, as you see a few droplets under the leaves.
Often, this process takes place during the nighttime.
And you shouldn’t confuse them with water droplets.
These are nothing but drops of xylem sap.
The plant releases these droplets when there is more water in the soil, and the humidity is at the peak.
So, if you see these droplets on your Money Tree, you don’t have to worry about anything else.
Just provide less water to the plant if the soil is already wet.
Note: You will probably see these droplets at the bottom of the leaves.
If you see something on the top, you should take a close look at the plant.
2. Scale Problem
Scale is a typical issue that makes the sap flow from the Money Tree leaves.
These pests rely on the phloem sap, which consists of many minerals and sugars.
This type of sap helps the insects thrive on the plant.
And eventually, they spread all over the plant.
If you don’t address this issue quickly, it might go out of proportion, and you will have to lose your Money Tree altogether.
3. Aphids
Aphids are another problematic insects that release sap from the plant.
These insects also feed on the juices present in the leaves.
And as they grow, they spread across the plant.
They may even target other weaker plants in your garden.
Aphids look black in color, so they are relatively easy to spot.
In fact, it also helps in taking the right action against these pests.
4. Mealybugs
Mealybugs are the last thing you want to see on your Money Tree.
These little white pests thrive on fresh leaves and branches.
And they really make it difficult for the plant to survive for long.
Furthermore, Mealybugs also extract the juices from tender parts of the plant, which ultimately results in the sap-leaking process.
As this process continues, Money Tree gets weaker and starts wilting in a few weeks.
5. Whiteflies
Whiteflies are just like Aphids and Mealybugs.
These soft-bodied pests attack the plant in numbers and suck the juices out of the leaves.
And in return, they exude a sticky white substance known as honeydew.
If you see these flies on the leaves, it’s also an indication that the plant might have Aphids and Mealybugs infestation.
Many times you get to see these insects working together and having a feast on weak plants.
Of course, the whiteflies do not cause a lot of damage, but the sap released from the plant can attract more insects to the plant.
And that’s not what you want to see around your plant.
So, it’s important to act upon it quickly.
Below, you will find some of the easiest methods to solve this problem on your houseplant.
How To Fix The Sap Leaking Issue In Your Money Tree
Here are some of the essential ways to try if your Money Tree is leaking sap –
1. Rubbing Alcohol Spray
Rubbing alcohol is often considered an effective solution to act against pests.
It works wonderfully well in getting rid of the colonies of plant-sucking organisms.
So, how do you use it?
It’s simple!
You just have to mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 8-9 parts of water.
Mix it well and spray it on the affected parts thoroughly.
2. Soap Spray
Soap solution works as well!
If you have Mealybugs, Aphids, Scale, or Whiteflies problem in your Money Tree, you should make a soapy solution at home.
It’s probably the cheapest way to tackle this problem.
And you don’t have to get anything else from the outside.
Here’s the formula you need to use to prepare this solution –
1 liter of water + 1 tablespoon of any soap
Alternatively, you can also add some rubbing alcohol or vinegar to this spray solution.
Don’t forget to mix it thoroughly, though.
Spray it on the leaves and branches and wait for a few days to see the results.
3. Neem Oil Spray
Don’t like inorganic sprays?
No problem!
Use Neem Oil.
It is one of the most robust ingredients you’d find to use on your houseplants.
For the application, you need to mix 1 tablespoon of Neem Oil with 1/2 tablespoon of Soap and 1 liter of water.
The soap solution is essential in this case, as it helps in sticking the spray on the plant’s surface.
Once it is ready, shake well and spray it on the affected areas.
Note: If you don’t have Neem Oil, you may also use herbal soap to prepare your spray solution.
It should act similarly.
4. Insecticide Spray
If you want to have a more sophisticated solution, you can go for the insecticides available on the market.
Just make sure you identify the problem first before buying these gardening care products.
If there is a Mealybug problem or Aphids infestation, you should opt for respective sprays.
Do not use an all-in-one spray, as it may not be as effective to address this issue on your plant.
And you will probably waste your money on such a product.
So, do check the product description and the reviews available on the website.
This should help in taking the final call on the product.
As for the application, you will find the related information on the product packet itself.
Go through this information carefully and follow the instructions accordingly.
Important: Whenever you use these sprays, make sure they are in a diluted form.
Otherwise, it may cause burns on the leaves and tender branches.
In the next section, I have answered some of the FAQs related to this topic.
Please have a look at them if you have similar queries in your mind.
FAQs
Money Tree drops leaves for several reasons: lack of watering, overwatering, direct sunlight, extreme weather conditions, etc.
If your plant is suffering from any of these issues, you will see the leaf drop problem.
And the only way to stop this issue is by taking care of the plant.
Give it a good amount of water and sunlight, and try to address the issues before you add fertilizers or any such elements to the soil.
The sticky substance you see on the plant is nothing but honeydew from insect infestation.
Many insects feed on the juices from the branches and leaves of the plant.
And during this process, they also secrete a white substance that looks like sap.
If that’s the case with your plant, you must consider using insecticide sprays.
Generally, you can water your Money Tree every week or so.
However, it all depends on the size of the plant.
If it’s too small, you shouldn’t water it often.
If you do, it might cause overwatering in the pot and will lead to several unwanted issues.
As for the bigger plant, you can use the same weekly frequency as suggested above.
It really depends on the type of issues on your plant.
If the plant is suffering from root rot or underwatering, you can fix the watering frequency.
If there are external factors like pests or fungus attacks, you may use some of the available gardening products.
And if it’s a sunlight or weather issue, you should move the plant inside or outside depending on its requirement.
The best way to fix the overwatering issue is to stop watering it entirely.
Check for a few days and see if the plant is recovering well.
If not, you will have to repot or transplant the plant.
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