Rescuing a Money Tree (Pachira) from Root Rot After Moving

Rescuing a Money Tree (Pachira) from Root Rot After Moving

Moving from Georgia (bright, likely outdoor light) to Michigan (lower indoor light) drastically reduces the plant's water use. Weekly watering on a fixed schedule in a large pot caused root rot—evidenced by dying, molding trunks.

Emergency Re‑rooting

1. Unpot and inspect roots. Remove all black, mushy roots.
2. Treat the remaining trunk as a cutting: cut the base at a clean angle, dip in rooting hormone.
3. Repot in a mix of 2 parts potting soil : 1 part perlite in a pot no wider than the trunk cluster.
4. Water once, drain fully, then place in bright indirect light.

New Watering Protocol

Use a bamboo skewer inserted to the bottom. Water only when the skewer shows moisture only in the bottom 1/3. Empty the drainage tray every time.

The second tree (with only one affected trunk) can be saved the same way. Early intervention prevents total loss.