Money trees are a popular symbol of good luck and prosperity. They are beautiful to look at and can bring joy to any room they’re placed in. In fact, I own two of these myself.
But what if you find holes in the leaves?
This article will help you answer this question by discussing a few possible causes for holes in your money tree. We will also discuss the most effective ways to prevent any more holes, while disclosing the top care tips. Let’s get started…
Holes In My Money Tree Leaves?
The main reason why your money tree has holes in the leaves is due to pests, like liriomyza melanogaster. These are leaf-mining pests that eat their way through the leaves of your money tree.
These pests can be hard to see on your money tree as they are most active at night. Usually, you will only notice you have a pest issue when it’s too late!
One possible pest is spider mites. These pests love the dry, warm winter air. Make sure to monitor your money tree frequently during cold months for signs of these pests.
There is also a chance that your money tree has developed leaf spot disease, which is a fungus that starts off as small spots and then grows into holes in the leaves.
How To Prevent Holes in Money Tree Leaves?
To prevent leaf miners (small creatures) from eating holes in your leaves, you can apply neem oil spray (Amazon link). Without strong measures in place, pests that like to feed on your money tree could migrate into other plants and cause damage. Starting with the first plant to show signs of insect infestation, I use neem oil on all houseplants.
If your money tree leaves seem to be infected with the parasitic leaf spot disease, you must take care of it as soon as possible. Start by discarding the diseased leaves, and then using the neem oil as a fungicide to remove any fungal infections.
How To Keep the Plant Healthy?
Location: Place your money tree in bright, indirect light.
Temperature and humidity: You should keep your money tree at a temperature of about 65-80°F. Humidity should be at least 50% for optimum growth.
Soil: Money tree plants need peat-based soil that drains well.
Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. The plant should be watered once every week or two.
Fertilizing: Feed your money tree with an all-purpose fertilizer at half strength once a month in the spring and summer.
Cleaning: The long leaves on a money tree can get dusty and dirty, so feel free to wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
Conclusion
To conclude, the holes on your money tree are most likely from pests or leaf spot disease, with leaf-mining pests being the most likely cause. One option for controlling insects in plants is neem oil spray (Amazon link).