Distinctive and vibrant, Monstera adansonii can add character and interest to your home. Many plant lovers become deeply attached to these unique beauties, often called “Swiss cheese plants,” so it’s devastating to see your precious plant turn yellow or wilt. But hope isn’t lost. If you notice your Monstera adansonii struggling, there are steps you can take to diagnose and restore your plant to ideal health.
Wondering why your Monstera adansonii is failing to grow or looking sickly, limp, or discolored? The most common cause of an unhealthy Monstera is improper watering, but lighting and fertilization issues can also result in issues. With the correct steps, you can usually save your plant and protect it from future damage.
This guide will help you diagnose and rescue your Monstera adansonii from some of the most common health issues. Please read to the end since some symptoms can have multiple causes. With a bit of patience, you will be on your way to a healthy, thriving Monstera.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Dying?
It often starts with a couple of yellow leaves or maybe a limp or listless appearance. Maybe you add more water or MiracleGro, but it only gets worse. Now, you start to panic. But this is a critical time for your plant’s health – making a series of rash decisions will make it harder to understand what is wrong.
It’s frustrating that plants can’t tell us what they need, but they give us signs to guide the way. The chart below covers some common symptoms and causes of an unhealthy plant, and is followed by a complete overview of Monstera adansonii health. This information, and a bit of patience, should help you solve your plant’s woes and help keep your plant looking and feeling its best.
Symptom | Potential Causes |
Lack of Growth | Dormancy / Cramped Pot / Shock / General Health Issues |
Turning Yellow | Improper Watering / Dormancy / Fertilizing Issues |
Turning Brown | Improper Watering / Leaf Burn / Fertilizing Issues / Root Damage |
Turning Black | Leaf Blight / Leaf Burn |
Leaves Drooping | Improper Watering / Shock |
Leaves Curling / Wrinkling | Underwatering |
Leaves Do Not Have Holes | Immature Plant / Inadequate Light / General Health Issues |
A Quick Note on Dormancy
Monstera adansonii is a fast-growing plant with a long growing period. Depending on your climate, you will likely see rapid growth from May to October. During these warmer months, your Swiss cheese plant focuses energy on expanding and growing, adding new height and new leaves to absorb sun and nutrients.
But even if your plant is kept indoors, it can sense the changing seasons. As the nights grow colder and the days grow shorter, your plant will naturally slow its growth and enter a dormant season. Just like a hibernating animal, it will focus its energy on sustaining its essential health. For a plant, this means conserving its roots, which keep the plant alive even in extreme conditions.
You might see an occasional yellow leaf during this dormant season, as well as less new growth. All of this is natural, and there is no need to “wake your plant up” with fertilizer, grow lights, repotting, or added water. Most plants require slightly less water and rarely any fertilizer during this time. Recognizing dormancy will help you avoid mistakes that can result in overwatering, leaf scorch, or general sickness.
While it can be hard to wait, now is the time for patience. Insulate your plant from cold winter drafts and let it enjoy a nice rest for the arrival of spring.
Is Your Monstera Adansonii New to You?
It’s not easy being new, is it? Believe it or not, your plants feel the same. Some plants can withstand frequent moves, but Monstera adansonii doesn’t appreciate changes in their environment.
Just like they can detect the changing of seasons, they can recognize changes in the direction of light, shifting temperatures, drafts, humidity, and other differences in their surroundings. These changes can cause temporary “shock,” which can result in limpness and some leaf drop as your Monstera adjusts to the new conditions.
If you recently bought or received your Monstera adansonii, the new environment may have placed it in survival mode. It can be helpful to think of this shock a bit like dormancy. During this stage, your plant needs a little time to rest. However, it should soon begin to show signs of recovery. Avoid any additional changes for a couple of weeks, skip the fertilizer, and be very careful not to overwater.
If your plant doesn’t begin to regain firmness and health within a few weeks, use the upcoming tips to diagnose your plant, incorporating one change at a time until you see improvement.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii….?
Most plant illness starts with one or two specific symptoms, including a change in color or firmness. Catching these issues early is a great way to prevent further damage. Below is a list of common issues you may notice with your plant, as well as likely causes and solutions.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Not Growing?
Many plant lovers choose Monstera adansonii for its distinctive leaves and rapid growth as these plants can soar up to two feet in a single growing season. If your plant has grown to a comparable height or length or is several years old, your Monstera may be slowing its growth due to having arrived at full maturity. Just like humans, plants will only grow so much in their lifespan.
Attempting to force additional growth with fertilizers and grow lights only risks harm to the plant. That said, your plant will produce leaves and shoots throughout its life, so focusing on creating a fuller, more vibrant plant is possible.
However, if your Monstera is young, there are a few reasons your plant’s growth may have slowed, which may include dormancy, shock, crowding, and improper care.
Dormancy
As previously discussed, dormancy is a natural part of the growing cycle of a Swiss cheese plant. If you have noticed that your plant isn’t growing during the fall and winter months, it’s likely conserving energy for spring. Avoid overwatering, fertilizing, or repotting, and allow your Monstera the time it needs to rest. In the spring, your Monstera will awaken refreshed and ready to grow!
Cramped Space
Crowding is another common cause of a slow-growing plant. For every inch of height or length your plant achieves, it also grows beneath the soil, stretching out its roots to absorb energy and provide stability. But your plant uses the amount of space in its pot as an indicator of how much room it can safely grow. As its roots begin to touch the planter’s bottom and sides, it will start to focus its energy on maintaining its current size.
To encourage your Monstera to grow, consider repotting the plant every 1-2 years at the start of the growing season. Choose a slightly larger planter each time you repot your plant to provide extra room to grow.
But why not choose a huge planter to encourage your plant to grow faster? While this seems to make sense, choosing an excessively large planter increases the likelihood of root rot as fluid saturates the soil beyond the plant’s reach. This soggy soil can deteriorate the plant’s roots, stunting its growth and possibly killing the plant.
Shock
Shock can also put the brakes on your Monstera’s growth. While shock can be a response to improper care, such as too much fertilizer or overwatering, remember that shock can also result from a change in the plant’s environment, such as relocation.
However, if you didn’t relocate your plant, take a moment to examine its environment for sources of heat, drafts, pet interference, or other issues. Once you address these concerns, your plant should start to recover quickly.
Improper Care
Lastly, improper care can slow the growth of your plant. This can include issues like too much or too little water, inadequate light, and too much fertilizer. But how can you tell if one of these issues is the reason your Monstera has stopped growing?
Typically, slowed growth will be only one of the indicators of a plant care issue. Other signs, such as yellowing leaves, mushy stems, or dry soil, will be present to point you in the right direction.
Keep reading for more signs that can help you diagnose the reason behind your Swiss cheese plant’s lack of growth.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Turning Yellow?
Just like a yellow traffic light means “caution,” seeing yellow leaves on your Monstera means that you should look out for danger ahead. While an occasional yellow leaf is not necessarily a concern, especially if your plant is dormant, several yellow leaves can mean your plant is getting sick. Thankfully, if caught soon enough, you can usually address the cause of the yellowing leaves, protecting your plant from further damage.
Why are yellowing leaves a concern? Yellow leaves are leaves that will eventually drop from the plant. Since the leaves are how the plant absorbs energy and engages in respiration, losing leaves will affect overall health. Dropping a few leaves is natural, but losing large numbers of leaves due to improper care will lead to other issues for your plant.
Overwatering
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellowing leaves. To check to see if overwatering might be the issue, insert your finger into the pot roughly 1-2″ deep. If you encounter damp soil or water accumulating beneath the planter, your Monstera is likely overwatered. Allow your plant’s soil to dry until you do not feel any moisture when you insert your finger. Only then should you water your plant.
Underwatering
Underwatering can also cause your Monstera adansonii to turn yellow. And while that might seem confusing, yellowing is just an early indication of damage to the plant. Just like a person may appear pale or flushed when they are sick, plants indicate illness by becoming discolored. Since both too much and too little water can damage the Monstera’s root system, you will see yellowing leaves as a warning sign.
If these yellow leaves are accompanied by dry soil, underwatering is probably the culprit. Whenever the soil is dry 1-2″ down, water your Monstera thoroughly until water drains from beneath the planter. You may also want to consider introducing a humidifier to the plant’s environment to add additional moisture without the risk of overwatering.
Over Fertilization
While less common, excessive fertilization can also cause yellowing. Since many potting soil mixes already include fertilizers, most plants don’t require that much additional nutrition. Adding too much fertilizer, or fertilizing too frequently, can overwhelm your plant. If this sounds like you, stop using fertilizer immediately, and you should soon notice a difference.
Sunburn
Direct exposure to sunlight can also cause yellowing due to leaf damage and sun scorch. To diagnose this issue, examine your plant’s environment. Are there any uncurtained windows or skylights? Are there gaps in the blinds through which direct sun can reach your plant?
If so, move your plant away from any potential exposure to direct light. It may take a few weeks for your plant to recover, and any yellow leaves will eventually drop off, but your plant should show signs of improvement within a few weeks. For more information on the lighting requirements of Monstera adansoniis, read this article.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Turning Brown?
Usually, leaves progress from yellow to brown as a condition worsens, so brown leaves are always a sign of a serious health issue with your Monstera adansonii. The causes of plant browning and yellowing are often the same, but the appearance of brown leaves suggests a misdiagnosis or a progression of the illness. While a few brown leaves do not mean that your plant will die, it does mean you need to act fast to restore its health.
Check for anything you might have missed when previously diagnosing your plant. Examine the plant’s environment during different times of the day, looking for issues with direct sunlight, temperature, and drafts. Check your plant’s soil for moisture. Does it still feel damp 1-2” down? If so, overwatering may still be an issue.
Overwatering/Root Rot
If overwatering is the cause of the browning leaves, you may have root rot. In this case, you may also see browning on the stem of your plant, where it meets the soil. This stem browning may be noticeably soft or squishy, signifying deterioration.
At this point, your safest strategy for saving your plant is to let it dry out completely, prune back any damaged roots and repot your Monstera. For our complete guide on repotting Swiss cheese plants, check out our article here.
Underwatering
However, brown leaves can also represent a case of severe dehydration. If your Swiss cheese plant soil is dry and has started to pull away from the sides of the planter, it needs a drink. Make sure to water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the planter. Set a reminder to check your soil’s dryness a couple of times a week and consider adding a humidifier to the space.
Direct Sunlight
If your plant encounters direct sun, then dry, crispy leaves or large brown spots likely indicate advanced burning of the leaves. If you think your plant is encountering direct sunlight, or if you have lights or grow lamps too close to your plant, move your Monstera to a location with bright but diffused light, such as a curtained bedroom. Too much direct light can kill a plant, so act quickly!
Over Fertilization
Lastly, scale back any fertilizer use immediately. Even if fertilizer isn’t the foremost cause of the browning, your plant is entering crisis mode. It will be especially easy to overwhelm the plant with too much water or fertilizer. Instead, treat your plant gently, secure the environment from temperature shifts, and let nature take its course.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Turning Black?
While it is rare to see a leaf turn entirely black, you may notice black spots appear on the leaves of your Monstera adansonii. Often this is a sign of what is called “leaf blight” – a leaf disease that is usually caused by the presence of fungus or bacteria on the leaf.
Improper Watering Habits
Typically, improper misting or watering strategies are responsible for the onset of leaf blight. You will often notice the blight on the plant’s lowest leaves (from water splashing up when poured) or on the top leaves, from mists of water raining down.
When misting your Monstera, spray the water into the air around the plant, creating a more humid atmosphere for its leaves and stems. If water is misted directly onto the plant, it can accumulate on the leaves. Since the leaves of all plants, including indoor varieties, are covered in tiny particles of dirt, dead cells, and microscopic bacteria, standing water creates an environment for germs and fungus to flourish.
In some cases, the fungus can have a white coloration, which signifies mildew or another form of fungal infection. However, regardless of color, the solution will still be the same.
Just like mold on fruit or vegetables, the blight will eventually spread. To protect the rest of the plant, prune away blighted leaves with disinfected pruning scissors and throw the leaves away. Be sure that none of the infected leaves fall into the planter, or the infection could spread to the stems.
When watering the plant, pour the water gradually from a close angle to the soil. Do not splash water from a bottle or pitcher onto the leaves or stems. In the future, avoid allowing any water to accumulate on your plant, and consider placing a humidifier a safe distance from your Monstera to add humidity without direct moisture.
Direct Sun Exposure
Another possible explanation for black spots on leaves is severe burns due to exposure to direct sunlight or a heat source. In this case, the black spots will typically have a dry or brittle feel to them.
Near Hot/Cold Drafts
Space heaters and radiators can also be a source of leaf burns, and it takes very little exposure to this type of heat to cause severe damage to a plant. Make sure that your Monstera’s environment is free from any sources of excessive heat or light to protect the fragile leaves of your Swiss cheese plant.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Drooping/Wilting?
Does your Monstera adansonii look limp? There are a few possible explanations, the most common of which are shock and dehydration.
Shock
As we’ve discussed, shock can result from a sudden change in the plant’s environment, including a relocation. Be sure to provide consistent, proper care to your Swiss cheese plant and limit any extremes in temperature and light. In time, your plant should recover from shock and will regain its beautiful appearance.
Underwatering
Another common reason that your plant may begin to droop is underwatering. While it is important to allow the top 1-2″ of your Monstera’s soil to dry out before watering, allowing your plant to sit in completely dry soil will cause your plant to become limp. While this is a sign of poor watering habits and can stunt your plant’s growth, it is a quickly reversible condition.
Provide a dehydrated Monstera with a thorough drink of water, enough that a bit of water runs from the bottom of the pot, and you should see the leaves return to normal within 24 hours.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Curling?
Another symptom of an underwatered Monstera is wrinkled, wavy, or curling leaves. Respond to the sight of curling leaves by checking the plant’s soil for moisture.
Lack of Water or Humidity
If the soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly and wait until the soil is dry again before repeating. As previously mentioned, consider adding a humidifier to improve your Swiss cheese plant’s health and moisture retention.
Why is My Monstera Adansonii Not Developing Holes?
Monstera adansonii are famous for their beautiful leaves, which develop delicate holes as the plant matures. However, these holes, called fenestrations, can take longer to develop than most plant lovers realize. In fact, many Monstera adansonii do not develop holes until they are 2-3 years old. But what if your plant is mature and you see leaves with few fenestrations?
Not Enough Light
Often a lack of fenestration is due to inadequate lighting. Since most Swiss cheese plant owners rightly worry about exposing their plants to direct sunlight, it is not uncommon to swing too far in the other direction. While a Monstera can survive in partial shade, those conditions won’t produce large, fenestrated leaves. Instead, provide your Monstera with bright, filtered light, such as a room with curtained windows.
Less Than Ideal Care
It’s also important to remember that fenestrations are a reflection of the overall health of the plant. Improper watering, a cramped pot, or other plant care issues can also result in leaves that do not fenestrate. So, if you want to keep your plant looking and feeling its best, pay attention to the details, and make sure to provide your Swiss cheese plant with everything it needs to thrive.
The Proper Way to Water a Monstera Adansonii
As we’ve mentioned, overwatering and underwatering can cause many of the same symptoms to appear, such as yellowing leaves and leaves that appear dry and brittle. Getting your Monstera’s water intake right is a key strategy for long-term plant health.
Underwatering
Since Monstera adansonii are tropical plants, they require water and humidity to thrive. And while it’s wise to wait until the top 1-2″ of your plant’s soil are dry before watering, you should not allow the pot to dry out entirely. The Monstera adansonii roots still need some moisture to stay healthy, and you can shock your plant through dehydration.
Since overwatering can kill a Monstera adansonii, many plant owners are afraid to water their plant thoroughly – but don’t let this be you. If the soil is dry, you’re safe to give your plant the water it needs. Water your Monstera adansonii until a bit of water escapes from the bottom of the pot, ensure that no water is standing beneath the plant, and wait until the top 1-2” of the soil is dry before watering again.
Check your plant a couple of times a week for dryness, and let that be your guide. A dry plant is a thirsty plant!
Overwatering
When a plant is overwatered, it can’t process the water quickly enough, resulting in muddy soil beneath the surface. Since the roots absorb water, nutrients, and oxygen, root rot will eventually suffocate and starve the plant. Pouring too much water into the pot, accidentally watering too frequently, or trying to “double-up” on water after a missed watering are common ways to overwater your plant, as is planting your Monstera in a container that is too large for its roots.
Soil type can also make a big difference to the moisture in the planter. Some potting mixes, like soil with ingredients such as perlite, allow the water to drain through the pot more quickly. However, using a blend that is designed to retain water can contribute to root rot. When in doubt, ask an expert at your local garden center to help you find a blend that is well-draining for your Monstera.
Also, always choose a planter with at least one drainage hole to allow water out and oxygen in. The best soil and watering habits won’t protect your plant if it is trapped in a suffocating pot.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to caring for a plant, letting nature take its course is always sound advice. Plants are resilient, and with proper care, they can often recover from their owners’ mistakes. On the other hand, panicking and introducing too much water, fertilizer, and light can make almost any plant care situation worse.
Instead, carefully troubleshoot your plant’s environment, making gradual changes, and looking for signs of progress. Your goal is to provide the best and most consistent care possible, allowing your plant to heal and rest.
And remember, it may take a plant weeks to recover from an illness. Look for signs of healing in the form of new leaves and decreased yellowing – then you will know you are on the right track.
Good things come to those who wait, and if you listen to its warning signs, your Monstera will reward you with healthy growth for years to come.