The Money Tree, or Pachira aquatica, is a popular houseplant admired for its braided trunk and large, glossy leaves. When the leaves develop a sticky coating, it signals an underlying issue requiring immediate attention. This residue indicates a pest problem that, if left untreated, can compromise the plant’s long-term health. Understanding the source of this stickiness is the first step toward restoring the plant to its healthy state.
Why Your Money Tree Leaves Are Sticky
The tacky substance coating your Money Tree’s leaves is almost certainly a sugary liquid called honeydew. This is the excreted waste product of specific types of sap-sucking insects, not natural plant sap. These pests pierce the plant’s vascular tissue to feed on the nutrient-rich sap, excreting the excess liquid as a concentrated, sticky droplet that falls onto the leaves below.
The most common culprits producing honeydew are scale insects and mealybugs. Scale appear as motionless, brown or tan bumps adhering tightly to the stems and leaf veins, protected by a waxy shell. Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects distinguished by their white, cottony appearance, often congregating in sheltered areas like leaf joints or trunk crevices.
A thorough inspection involves checking the undersides of all leaves, where both pests prefer to feed away from direct light. If honeydew remains on the leaves for a prolonged period, it can lead to sooty mold. This fungus grows superficially on the sugary surface, and a heavy layer blocks sunlight, reducing photosynthesis and weakening the plant.
Immediate Steps for Pest Removal
The immediate action upon discovering stickiness is to isolate the Money Tree from other houseplants to prevent the spread of infestation. First, remove the sticky honeydew coating the leaves using a damp cloth or sponge soaked in lukewarm water. Wiping down both the top and bottom surfaces of all leaves eliminates the food source for sooty mold and improves light absorption.
Once the surface is clean, target the visible pests directly. For scale and mealybugs, use a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol to touch each pest. The alcohol quickly dissolves the waxy coating and protective shells, causing death. This manual removal is effective, especially for immobile scale insects protected against topical sprays.
After manual removal, apply an insecticidal agent to treat any remaining, unseen pests. Insecticidal soap is an effective option that works by penetrating the insect’s cuticle and causing dehydration. Mix the product according to directions, ensuring the spray thoroughly covers all plant surfaces, including the trunk and the undersides of leaves.
Horticultural oils, such as Neem oil, can also be used to smother the insects and disrupt their life cycles. When applying oil-based products, ensure the plant is not in direct sun, as this can burn the foliage. Treatment must be repeated every five to seven days for three to four weeks to break the entire life cycle, as eggs or nymphs may survive the initial application.
Long-Term Care for Prevention
Preventing future pest outbreaks requires optimizing the plant’s environment, as stressed plants are more susceptible to insect attack. Proper watering is important: the Money Tree should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering stresses the root system, weakening the plant’s overall defense mechanisms and making it an easier target for pests.
Money Trees thrive in bright, indirect light, which promotes vigorous growth and natural resilience. Maintaining moderate humidity also helps deter infestations, as dry air favors many houseplant pests. Placing the plant near a humidifier or on a pebble tray filled with water can raise the local moisture level.
A preventative measure involves regularly inspecting the plant, especially during routine watering. Any new plants brought into the home should undergo a two- to four-week isolation period in a separate room before being introduced to the existing collection. This quarantine allows time to observe the new specimen for hidden pests before they spread.