You have done everything correctly so far to take care of your Money Plant (Pothos or Devil’s Ivy). You thought it looked a bit sad, so you gave it a nice drink hoping it would perk up soon; now, instead of improving, your plant looks worse than before and you are quickly becoming panicked, wondering if you have done something wrong or if the plant is on the verge of dying. If you’re noticing a money plant drooping, it’s often a sign of overwatering, poor drainage, or sudden environmental stress that needs quick attention.
Don’t panic because this is very common and usually an extremely easy fix.
The most common reason a Money Plant droops after receiving watering is an environmental or care issue that is causing stress to its roots and you can quickly identify the cause of the problem by following the reasons below. In this article I will break down the seven most likely causes of why your Money Plant is drooping after being watered. I will give examples of the cause of your Money Plant’s drooping along with a detailed plan on how to restore your Money Plant to its previous stunning and beautiful state within no time at all.
The #1 Culprit: Overwatering and Root Rot
This is, by far, the most common reason for a droopy Money Plant after watering. We often assume drooping means thirst, but it can also mean the roots are drowning and unable to function.
- What Happens: When you water too frequently or the soil doesn’t drain well, the pores in the soil fill with water, pushing out the oxygen. Roots need oxygen to breathe. Without it, they begin to suffocate and die, becoming soft, brown, and mushy a condition called root rot. These rotten roots can’t absorb water or nutrients, so the plant droops from thirst even though the soil is wet.
- The Fix: This requires immediate action.
- Check the Roots: Gently remove the plant from its pot. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Rotten roots are dark brown/black, mushy, and may smell bad.
- Prune the Damage: Using clean, sharp scissors, cut away all rotted roots.
- Repot: Plant it in a new pot with drainage holes that is only slightly larger than the root ball, using fresh, well-draining potting mix (a standard mix with a handful of perlite or orchid bark is perfect).
- Water Sparingly: Water thoroughly once after repotting, then do not water again until the top 1-2 inches of soil are completely dry.
The 7 Reasons Your Money Plant Drooping After Watering
Here is a quick-reference table to diagnose the specific cause of your plant’s droop.
Diagnosis Guide: Why Your Money Plant is Drooping
| Cause | What’s Happening | Key Signs to Look For | Immediate Action & Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Overwatering / Root Rot | Roots are drowning, dying, and can’t absorb water. | Soggy soil, yellowing leaves, soft/mushy stems near soil, foul smell from soil. | Stop watering. Remove plant, trim rotten roots, repot in fresh, well-draining soil. |
| 2. Poor Drainage | Water pools at the bottom of the pot, creating a swampy environment. | Soil stays wet for over a week, pot has no drainage hole, saucer is always full. | Repot into a pot with drainage holes. Ensure water flows freely out the bottom. |
| 3. Temperature Shock | Water is much colder than the room temperature, shocking the roots. | Drooping occurs suddenly within minutes/hours of watering. | Use room-temperature water. Let tap water sit out for 24 hours before using. |
| 4. Compacted Soil | Soil becomes too hard and dense, preventing water from reaching the roots. | Water pools on top of the soil or runs down the sides without soaking in. | Aerate the soil gently with a chopstick. Repot if severe. |
| 5. A Drafty Spot | Cold drafts from windows, doors, or AC units cause stress. | Plant is near a frequently opened window or vent. Leaves may feel cool. | Move the plant to a warmer, draft-free location with consistent temps. |
| 6. Pest Infestation | Pests like fungus gnats thrive in wet soil and damage roots. | Tiny black flies buzzing around soil, poor growth, general decline. | Let soil dry out. Use yellow sticky traps. Treat with hydrogen peroxide solution or neem oil. |
| 7. The Pot is Too Big | Excess soil holds water for too long, far from the roots, encouraging rot. | The pot looks disproportionately large for the plant. Soil takes forever to dry. | Downsize the pot. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches wider than the root ball. |
How to Water Correctly to Prevent Future Drooping
Use the no-fail strategy… Water your plants when they need it, not by the calendar. Your plant doesn’t have a calendar, so there’s nothing special about “Watering Wednesday.”
Use The Finger Test: To gauge whether your plant needs a drink of water use the finger test – stick your finger into the soil 2 inches deep. If the soil feels dry – then it’s time to water your plant. If the soil holds some moisture, wait until your plant shows signs of needing water or wait another week.
Watering Properly: When watering your plants, make sure that you are watering them properly. When you water, pour the water evenly over the surface of the soil until you see the water being allowed to run out of the drainage holes. This will ensure that every part of the root ball receives necessary hydration.
Emptying The Plant Saucer: If your plant is sitting in a plant saucer, DO NOT allow it to continue to sit in that saucer after 30 minutes. If you continue to allow your plant to sit in a saucer full of water, you are inviting it to develop root rot.
The Best Environment for a Happy Money Plant
Light: The best kind of light is indirect and bright. A window facing either east or north is ideal. While too little light will slow growth and water use, too much direct sunlight can burn leaves.
Soil: A potting mix that drains properly is a must. Steer clear of garden-grade, heavy soils.
Temperature and Humidity: Store your plant in a space that is between 65° and 85°F (18° and 29°C). Steer clear of chilly drafts. They will appreciate the occasional misting or a humidifier nearby, but they prefer average humidity in the home.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
It’s unsettling to see your cherished plant in pain, but you now know how to save it. Recall that drooping after watering is almost always caused by the roots’ incapacity to utilize the water.
Inhale deeply, carefully take your plant out of its pot, and conduct a detective investigation. Examine those roots. Soil is almost always the answer. Your hardy Money Plant should recover and be ready to trail beautifully once more with a little care and the correct adjustments.
