Money Tree Rescue: Repot Again with Proper Soil and Small Pot

Reader's Mistakes: Fungus Gnats → Wrong Soil → Oversized Pot

Jon's money tree (Pachira aquatica) thrived 1 year, then fungus gnats appeared. He repotted with dense organic soil + insecticide (mistakes: gnats harmless; should've used cactus mix; pot 20–30% larger). Now losing more leaves than growing. Bright indirect light, 70–80°F, waters when top dry (7–9 days).

Expert Assessment: Inadequate Light + Root Stress

Will Creed: Plant shows low light symptoms—needs sunny window. Repotting encouraged gnats and root rot. No simple fix.

Last-Rescue Repotting

1. Unpot when ready to water; shake off added soil from original rootball.
2. Trim soft/mushy roots.
3. Repot into smallest pot fitting roots with minimal soil.
4. Small pot + less soil = faster drying = deters rot.

Trauma may still kill it, but it's the only option.

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Will offers Pachira and repotting articles via email: wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com.