Although Monstera deliciosa is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, they are not immune to problems. I always feel dismayed when I find my Monstera losing leaves, developing spots, or looking too dry or too wet. Since our houseplants can’t talk, it takes some detective work to figure out what is causing the issues.
What causes problems in Monstera deliciosa? Almost everything that causes your Monstera to be less than 100% healthy can be narrowed down to a few issues: light, water, soil/container, or pests. It can be difficult to pinpoint a cause, and sometimes you have a combination of several of these issues. But identifying and fixing the problem may be the only way to avoid the plant dying.
In this article, I will review some common symptoms that show up in Monstera deliciosas that are grown indoors and then suggest some solutions for each one. Although it sometimes takes trial and error to get your plant back to full health, you can usually reverse the negative effects of whatever has gone wrong with your plant with a little TLC.
What’s Wrong With My Monstera Deliciosa? How Can I Fix It?
It can be hard to diagnose what has gone wrong with your Monstera from books or the internet since the same type of symptom can have several different causes. Likewise, the same cause can trigger multiple symptoms. In the chart below, I have listed some of the possible causes based on the issue you’re seeing with your plant. But be sure to read the longer description for each one to get the full picture of what could be happening and how to treat it.
Symptoms | Possible Causes |
Droopy/Wilting | Overwatering or Underwatering or Shock |
Dripping | Overwatering or Stress |
Rotting | Overwatering |
Leaves Turning Yellow | Overwatering or Aging or Pests or Insufficient Light |
Leaves Turning Brown | Sunburn or Underwatering or Overwatering or Insufficient Nutrients |
Spots on Leaves | Over-watering or Poor Environmental Conditions or Physical Damage or Insects/Fungal iInfection |
Not Splitting | Immature or Not Enough Sun |
Monsteras in Dormancy – Why Your Plant Might Not Be Growing
Sometimes you will see problems with your Monstera that just require a little patience. For example, if you are concerned about slower growth during the winter months, this is completely normal. Following the plant’s natural growth cycle, growth slows down considerably when the temperatures fall and days get shorter.
Although some plants will go into a complete hibernation period over the winter, Monsteras don’t fall into that category. They don’t require any special treatment during their dormant season, but you will want to reduce your watering to match the slower evaporation rate. You should also not fertilize during the winter.
Impatient houseplant owners can find winter frustrating, especially if they are used to the dramatic and rapid growth that many Monsteras exhibit during the summer months. You could use grow lights and fertilizer to trick your plant into skipping its natural dormancy period, but most experts recommend letting the plant go through this cycle of rest.
Is Your Monstera New To You?
Likewise, your plant may be demonstrating symptoms of shock if it has had a recent change to its environment. The most common time you see shock is when bringing a Monstera deliciosa into your home from a nursery. This represents a significant change in light, humidity, and temperature conditions that it was used to. Repotting a plant or moving it to a new location in your home can also trigger shock.
The most common symptom of shock is leaves that wilt or curl in on themselves, and the plant itself just looks miserable. But don’t give in to the temptation to move it somewhere else to try to fix this – that just compounds the problem. As long as the conditions are right, your Monstera should perk up after adjusting to the new location.
It can take two or three weeks for a Monstera to adjust to a new environment, so be patient. Be sure the environment is as suitable to the plant as possible, though – bright, indirect sun, away from drafts, and with the optimal pot size and potting mix.
Watering Your Monstera Deliciosa Correctly
You may notice from the list above that overwatering can cause a number of issues, and it is one of the most common mistakes that kill houseplants. Monstera deliciosa, in particular, dislikes having too much moisture around its roots, so I recommend erring on the side of too little water over too much. You can always add more water later, but it’s very difficult to reverse overwatering.
If the soil around your Monstera’s roots holds on to excessive water, the plant can develop a condition called root rot. The roots start to soften and die off, which means they can no longer provide the nutrients your plant needs. This is all happening under the soil’s surface, so many people do not realize what is happening until the plant starts to show symptoms. By then, it is often too late to save the plant.
To water a Monstera deliciosa correctly, first you need to make sure you have the right pot and soil. I have a whole article about choosing soil and containers for Monstera deliciosa, but the short version is that you need to provide soil that drains well and a container (with at least one drainage hole) that is not much bigger than the plant’s roots.
Adequate light also plays into how you water your Monstera. If the plant is kept in a cool, dark room, the soil will maintain moisture much more quickly than if it’s in a warm and bright place.
Since so many factors play into how you water your Monstera deliciosa – light, soil, temperature, season, and size, just to name a few – it’s impossible to trust recommendations that tell you to water a certain amount or on a certain timeline. I find the best way to decide if my Monsteras need water is to check the soil myself.
You can certainly purchase a
If your plant is small enough, you could also test the moisture level by lifting the pot to gauge how heavy it is. When the soil is dry, the pot should feel considerably lighter than right after you water. But with a Monstera deliciosa, it will probably be too heavy to lift before you know it!
You should give the plant enough water that you see it come out of the drainage holes, but don’t let that excess water sit in the tray under your plant. It can get absorbed back into the soil over time, so toss out any water still there after 30 minutes.
Diagnosing Your Monstera’s Symptoms
Thankfully, an unhealthy Monstera can communicate (predominantly through its foliage) to us what is going on and where we need to look. For each of the symptoms below, you will find several potential causes. Look to your specific plant to indicate which issue is causing your problem, and then work towards solving it by following the steps listed.
Why Is My Monstera Deliciosa Droopy or Wilting?
Drooping or wilting leaves can show up suddenly and can be very alarming. This can make a Monstera look like it’s on its deathbed. It’s true that, if left untreated, the leaves may also start to turn brown or yellow and eventually fall off. But usually, this is an easy fix, and it should be easy to tell which of these issues is causing the problem.
Why Is It Happening?
OVERWATERING: If the wilting is due to overwatering, you may see yellowing or brown leaves. Leaves and stems may feel limp, and you may see water dripping from the leaves as the plant tries to shed the excess water.
UNDERWATERING: This one is pretty straightforward – Monsteras start to droop if they don’t have enough moisture. Your Monstera should look noticeably better within hours of being given a drink.
SHOCK: If you have recently changed something about your Monstera’s environment, shock is the most likely cause. If there haven’t been any sudden changes, shock is unlikely. Monsteras adjust well to gradual environmental shifts, like a change in seasons.
The Solution
Check the moisture levels in the soil with your finger or a moisture meter and go back and review the instructions in the watering section. Adjust watering as needed to allow your Monstera to dry out between thorough waterings. If you suspect shock, wait a few weeks and monitor your plant to see if it will recover naturally as it acclimates to its new conditions. If you suspect root rot, click here.
Why Is My Monstera Deliciosa Dripping?
You may notice droplets of clear liquid gathering at the point of your Monstera’s leaves or see drops on the floor around the base of your plant. This is most likely the result of a process called guttation, which you can read more about in this article. Rest assured that guttation is a totally natural process and is not a cause for significant concern about your Monstera.
Why Is It Happening?
OVERWATERING: When a plant is a bit overwatered, guttation is a way to push out the unnecessary moisture. Monsteras can self-regulate their moisture levels to a certain extent, which is one reason they are so forgiving when it comes to inconsistent watering.
STRESS: Guttation can also occur in response to a change to the plant’s environment or in conjunction with other symptoms. Check for additional signs of stress; if you don’t find any, overwatering is the most likely culprit.
The Solution
Hold off on your watering until the soil has a chance to dry out. You may need to adjust to a less frequent watering schedule if your plant experiences guttation regularly. Make sure your soil drains well and that the pot is correctly sized. This should go away with just a few simple modifications to your routine.
Why Is My Monstera Rotting?
On a rotting plant, leaves are probably yellow or brown and wilting. Parts of the plant feel mushy and often have brown or back areas near the plant’s base. When you remove the plant from its pot, the roots are dark-colored and slimy, and the ends of the roots may have already dissolved from rot.
Why Is It Happening?
OVERWATERING: Too much moisture in the soil allows fungus to grow, which quickly advances to the roots of the plant. As the roots sustain damage, the Monstera deliciosa doesn’t get the nutrients it needs from the soil. Root rot is caused by overwatering and is almost always connected to rot above the surface.
The Solution
If your Monstera already shows clear signs of rot, you need to take immediate action to try to save your plant. If at least 50% of the roots still look healthy (white and firm), you might be able to salvage them.
Trim off any roots that show signs of rot, and rinse away as much of the soil from the remaining root ball as you can. You want to try to get rid of any fungus that might still be present in the soil, so it’s best to clean the pot well with a diluted bleach solution to make sure it is sterile before planting or use a new pot. Plant up the Monstera in new soil and water it thoroughly.
If you see rot on the stem or more than half of the roots, it would be better to try to salvage any remaining parts of your Monstera deliciosa by taking cuttings and propagating them. Once the plant has developed rot, that part of it will never be able to recover, but you can still save the healthy parts of the plant. For more information on propagating a Monstera from cuttings, read this article.
Want a more thorough guide to saving a Monstera from root rot? Read this article.
Why Are My Monstera Deliciosa’s Leaves Turning Yellow?
Seeing yellow leaves on your Monstera deliciosa is quite common, but it can be alarming. Since there are several different causes for yellow leaves, you will need to do some additional troubleshooting to narrow down what is happening with your plant.
Why Is It Happening?
AGING: It’s entirely natural for a Monstera to have leaves that yellow and eventually fall off. These are most likely to be small leaves that are closer to the base of the plant. Losing these leaves is actually a good thing since it allows the plant to focus its energy on taller and developing larger leaves.
OVERWATERING: If the wilting is due to overwatering, you may see yellowing or brown leaves. Leaves and stems may feel limp, and you may see water dripping from the leaves as the plant tries to shed the excess water.
PESTS: Insects like spider mites and thrips suck the sap from your plant, which results in yellow, stressed leaves.
INSUFFICIENT LIGHT: Monsteras prefer bright, indirect light, although they can tolerate a medium-light situation. If they are not getting enough light, leaves (particularly lower leaves) can yellow and fall off. This will be combined with slow growth, small leaves, and lack of fenestration in the leaves.
The Solution
If a leaf starts to yellow, it will not recover, so you can go ahead and prune it. If you suspect the yellowing resulted from aging, there is nothing to do – this is part of the plant’s natural process and doesn’t indicate any problem.
If your leaves are yellow due to overwatering, you should check the Monstera (including the roots) carefully for rot. If you don’t see any, you should be fine to just let it dry out and be more conservative with your watering in the future. Consider whether you need to make any changes to the soil or pot to avoid overwatering in the future. For more information on watering Monsteras, read this article.
For pests, you will need to identify which type of insect is affecting your plant. Most common pests that you find on houseplants can be treated with neem oil or horticultural soap. Note that you may need to treat the plant several times to get rid of all the pests and that they can quickly move from one plant to another. To read about the most common pests affecting Monsteras, click here.
If you suspect that your Monstera deliciosa is suffering from poor lighting conditions, reposition it in front of a window that receives a good amount of light throughout the day – ideally a west- or south-facing window. You can also supplement sunlight with a grow light or replace existing light bulbs with full-spectrum bulbs.
Why Are My Monstera Deliciosa’s Leaves Turning Brown?
Like yellow leaves, brown leaves can result from several different factors. The best way to identify the possible cause for your brown leaves is to assess your plant’s conditions and what type of browning is happening (dry, mushy, spots, etc.).
If you’re seeing brown areas around the outside edges of leaves, and that part of the leaf feels dry and crispy, it is likely the result of insufficient moisture being absorbed by the roots or in the room. On the other hand, dark brown areas near the center of a leaf are probably indicative of overwatering.
Why Is It Happening?
UNDERWATERING: If your Monstera isn’t getting enough water, the leaves’ edges are the first to suffer since they are farthest from the roots.
OVERWATERING: Too much water can also cause brown leaves. This is an early warning sign before you see actual rot develop.
SUNBURN: Monsteras love bright light, but not direct sun. The leaves can be damaged by the concentrated sunlight hitting them.
INSUFFICIENT NUTRIENTS: It is hard for container plants to get the full spectrum of nutrients they would have in the wild. A lack of nutrients can show up in the leaves and a general slowing of growth.
The Solution
First off, brown leaves can’t ever return to being green again, so you can trim off those parts if they bother you. If most of the leaf looks unhealthy, I would go ahead and take off the whole leaf.
It can be hard to get the right watering balance, so check your plant every couple of days to make sure it isn’t getting too dry or too wet (I know, it’s complicated!). Give it a good soak every time you water it, but let the top one to two inches of soil dry out before you water again.
Low humidity in the room can cause the same symptom, although Monstera deliciosa is tolerant of average household humidity. If you live in an especially dry climate, consider a humidity tray or humidifier to increase ambient humidity around the plant.
If you suspect sunburn, you can move your Monstera a few feet away from the window or add a sheer curtain. A digital light meter can help with understanding how much light is actually coming in through your windows, as people often estimate incorrectly. Monsteras like 400 – 1000 foot candles of light for optimal growth.
Fertilizing is recommended during the growing season to support your Monstera’s nutrient demands beyond what it can get from the potting mix. It is best to use a balanced fertilizer and dilute it to half strength. Over-fertilization is more damaging than under-fertilization, so be judicious when you feed your plants. For tips on fertilizing your Monstera, read this article.
Why Does My Monstera Deliciosa’s Leaves Have Spots?
Spots on a Monstera’s leaves are usually either brown or yellow, and occasionally black or white. The size, color, shape, and texture of the spots should help you diagnose what is causing the spots.
Why Is It Happening?
OVERWATERING: Too much water can cause yellow spots and slimy patches. The leaves and stems will usually look limp, and leaves may also be curling in on themselves.
POOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: A room that doesn’t suit your Monstera can cause spots on the leaves. These conditions can include a spot that is too dark, too cold, or too dry.
PHYSICAL DAMAGE: Although they are hearty plants, a Monstera’s leaves can be damaged by knocking against nearby objects or being treated roughly.
PESTS: Spots on a Monstera’s leaves may be the result of insects feeding on the plant and leaving behind damage where they have sucked the sap out of the leaf. You may also be seeing the insects themselves (scale, for example, looks like a little brown lump).
White spots can be the result of a fungus called powdery mildew. Dry, brown spots with a ring of yellow around them can be the result of a fungal infection.
The Solution
Regulate your water carefully, and in general, try to reproduce the plant’s natural, tropical environment as much as you can. This includes plenty of bright, indirect light, medium-to-high humidity, and warm temperatures (between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit).
You should also be aware of any conditions that could cause physical damage to your plant. Children and pets are sometimes the culprits, but it could also be that you’ve put your Monstera in a breezy place and it knocks against some other object and gets damaged. Plants can also be damaged in transit, so it is not unusual to find a few damaged leaves when you first bring your plant home.
Finally, if you suspect pests, inspect the plant to figure out what kind they might be. Treatment with neem oil or horticultural soap will kill most insects, and neem oil is also effective against many types of common fungi, including powdery mildew. For more info on what type of pests could be harming your plant and what you should do about it – click here.
Why Are My Monstera Deliciosa’s Leaves Not Splitting?
One of the main selling points of Monstera deliciosa is the unusual fenestrations (splits and slits) that develop in their larger leaves. But what if your plant continues to put out leaf after leaf with no signs of splitting?
Why Is It Happening?
IMMATURE: Smaller Monsteras just don’t have holes in their leaves, and there’s nothing to be done about it except to wait.
INSUFFICIENT SUNLIGHT: Related to slow growth in general, a lack of light will prevent the leaves from reaching their full-size potential. Smaller leaves on Monstera deliciosa do not develop fenestrations.
The Solution
For young plants, the main thing to do is wait. Many estimates are that a Monstera deliciosa starts to develop fenestrations when it is around 2-3 years old, but of course, you would not know your plant’s age if you have purchased it from a nursery.
However, you can speed up the process by catering to your Monstera as much as possible to promote rapid growth. This includes providing a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. And, most importantly, make sure the plant has plenty of light. This will be the main factor in your plant developing the large split leaves people love.
If the issue is lack of light, move your Monstera to a brighter spot. If you have a proper outdoor area, Monsteras love to be put outside for the summer and will reward you with rapid growth. Just make sure they’re kept out of the direct sun.
Want to read more about fenestrations and why some plants don’t develop them? We wrote an article full of information on this! Click here to read it.
Final Thoughts on Diagnosing a Monstera Deliciosa
It isn’t always easy to pinpoint what is causing a particular symptom in your Monstera since the same issue can show up in various ways. The first step should always be to evaluate what has changed recently since many problems develop after changing the plant’s circumstances (like being repotted or moved).
If there haven’t been any changes, the most likely triggers are either water or light or a combination of both. I recommend first making sure those two factors are right, as well as regularly checking your Monstera for pests.
Finally, if you have an idea of what may be wrong with your Monstera, be sure not to go overboard trying to correct the issue. You could cause more stress to the plant by making a drastic change in the other direction. Plant problems take time to repair, but patience and consistency will get you the results you want.