It is a mold of some kind. Usually molds forming on the surface of potting soil is an indication the mix is kept too wet and a too wet growing media could be the cause of the plants leaves turning yellow.

kimmq is kimmsr

Should I just leave it and wait it out, as long as I water it less?

its a soil borne mold . it doesnt affect plants. Indoor soil is usually made of soiless mix - meaning its organic materials like compost. If its too wet and there's not air circulation in the area - it gets that way. Happens a lot when I germinate plants indoors. You have a money plant I think.. and the leaf browning is probably because watering had been sporadic.

In anycase, your plant looks root bound and so time to change pots. When root bound, water may not be able to escape because the roots have clogged up the drain holes. Water may remain at the surface unable to reach the roots which can cause drowning. It can also cause the roots to rot out (preventing water from reaching the leaves) So time for repotting and in doing so, get fresh new soil. I would suggest that you also add a bit of sand on top of the soil to prevent a repeat of the fungus.

i prefer to use the word media for what goes in pots.. so peeps dont get confused about putting soil .. mother earth ... into pots..

use the search engine at the top of any page.. and search for al's gritty mix ... would give you quite an education on what media is meant to do ... even if you cant get the precise things he used ... its all about engineering the drainage ...

it also wouldn't hurt to get an ID of the plant ...

and there is a rather active houseplant forum for all kinds of other useful info ...

ken

That white stuff is a mold growing on the growing media caused by a too wet soil which could also be the cause of the plant not being in "good shape". Allow the growing media to dry out, maybe repot the plant into a larger container (but not too large) with fresh soilless mix.

By far the most common problem with potted plants seen during my days at the Cooperative Extension Service plant problem days was potted plant loved to death, ie. a growing media that was kept too wet.

kimmq is kimmsr