Hello!

My friend gave me this money plant as a single leaf years ago, and had no trouble letting it grow into a substantial tree. But I was away over the winter and came back to find it pretty worse for wear and waterlogged.

The leaves all fell off and the main stem became soft and a bit squishy. I could just pull the soggy stem off, and I did this until all that was left is just the stub.

I want to save this plant, should I just take a leaf and start again? Or can I do something with the stem that's left?

Thanx, Dan

When you said money plant, I thought you were referring to Pilea peperomioides but you have a Jade plant, Crassula ovata.

You can start new plants from the two good shoots you have left. Cut them off the plant and let them sit out of soil until the cuts callous over (a couple days). Then plant them in cactus soil. A shallow pot is best - the soil needs to dry quickly to keep your plant happy.

Why does it get water-logged over winter? Does it sit outside? Can you put it someplace where it won't sit in water all winter?

If this is an outside plant, can you fill in your location information? It will help us give you better answers.

One thing your plant is in desperate need of is more light.

Welcome to NGA, Dan ( @gobbledigook ).

As Daisy said -- more light, less water, very well-draining potting mix. Was someone else caring for the plant while you were away over the winter? I've found it necessary to leave extremely explicit instructions... my brother-in-law once watered plants for us while we were on vacation and thoroughly watered a small fake plant (that was in quite a dark spot in the house, and on a wooden table), leaving a serious stain on the tabletop...

Thanx for your replies!

Didn't know it was a Jade plant, I always thought this type of thing was a money tree. You rub the leaf for prosperity? (now I may have just made that up!)

Yes, someone else was looking after it and it got drowned, really sad as it had such sentimental value!

But I'll start again, and use a better draining mix,and hey it some more light. Another 15 years to get back to a tree 😂😂😂

Hello gobbledigook! Your Crassula ovata still has good potential! Clean-up all those dried out debris, and as already suggested improve the media by making it well draining, use cacti mix and add pumice or perlite into the mix. Root system of this plant is quite shallow and small, so use shallow and wide container with drainage holes. For the time being, position your plant to part sun after you repot and if you can later, bring it out to more sun outdoors. It loves lots of light!

No fertilizer for now, actually I don't give any to my Crassulas and they still thrive very well.