Brown Spots on Pachira Plant Leaves

The pachira plant is also known as the money tree. The money tree is a plant native to tropical regions, such as those found in South America. The pachira plant requires humidity of at least 50 percent, and it also prefers temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees. The pachira plant is ideal for indoor growing, and is a familiar household plant. If proper care is not taken, brown spots may appear on the pachira plant's leaves.

Mealy Bugs

Mealy bugs are a small, white or pink bug that will attack the bottom of pachira plant leaves. The bugs leave a small secretion of clear slime. Over time, this slime may cause the leaves to acquire small, brown spots on the surface of the leaves. The best way to prevent spots from occurring in this manner is to remove mealy bugs when you see them. A spray from a few drops of dish soap placed in a bottle full of water onto the bottom of the leaves is usually enough to kill all but the most heavy infestations.

Watering

Brown spots can also occur from too much or too little watering. Brown spots near the tips of the leaves usually signifies too little watering. Brown spots near the base of the leaves is an indication of too much watering. The top 2 inches of soil should always be slightly moist. Additionally, the leaves should be misted with water daily to promote humidity.

Nutrition

Poor nutrition can also cause brown spots on the pachira plant leaves. The plant needs fertilization several times a year, especially in indoor growing locations. An all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer should be applied about once a month during the spring and summer. If leaves start to spot in the winter, one additional fertilizer application should also be given.

Lighting

Bad lighting can also cause pachira leaves to become covered in brown spots. With bad lighting, the spots will grow, eventually causing the entire leaf to become brown. The leaf will fall off soon after turning brown. If this occurs, move the plant to a location that receives more sunlight. You can also move the plant outdoors in the summer to receive more light.

Considerations

If your pachira plant consistently has brown spots on its leaves, then you probably do not have the right growing conditions where the plant is currently housed. Move the plant outdoors so that it can receive more sun. If the plant is already outdoors, try transplanting it to another location. If the plant is outdoors, it may be in too cold of an environment. If this is the case, consider bringing the plant indoors.

References

• "Beyond the Windowsill: Add Style to Your Home with the Beauty of Indoor Plants"; Jon Carloftis; 2007
• Super Floral Retailing: Pachira