Your Monstera should have any damaged leaves removed. Trimming dead leaves helps your plant’s health in addition to improving its appearance.
- Unable to photosynthesize are dead leaves. Any brown or black areas on your Monstera’s leaves are no longer able to supply the plant with energy.
- Dead leaf sections have no protection against rot and infection in comparison to healthy leaves. Dead plant cells provide nutrients that are consumed by bacteria and fungi. For instance, you can notice mold growing on dead leaves that have been left on the plant or in the soil. To help defend the remainder of the plant against these diseases, remove any dark or damaged tissue.
It is possible that only the ripped edge of a leaf will become brown to seal a cut if there is only very minimal damage, such as accidently ripping or torn a portion of the leaf. Leave minor imperfections alone if they don’t affect other parts of the plant or interfere with your pleasure of the plant’s aesthetics.
Monstera damage to the roots and stems can be more serious than damage to the leaves because it prevents the plant from transporting water and nutrients. Visit our soon-to-be-available guides on stem damage and root rot.
How are the brown leaves on Monstera cut?
Fortunately, trimming a monstera is not too difficult. Since they are a hardy plant, they don’t need to be meticulously pruned. In other words, even if you don’t perform a great job, your plant will probably be alright.
You’ll want to remember a few things, though:
1. Put on gloves. When pruning or propagating your monstera, be sure to use protective gloves because the sap is poisonous and can cause severe skin irritation.
2. Use a tidy, sharp instrument. You can avoid crushing or damaging the stem by using sharp pruning shears or a knife to make the cut. Your plant is also shielded from hazardous microorganisms by clean tools. Bacterial diseases can even spread to your other plants and are difficult to treat. (Protect your monstera from insects, fungi, and bacteria with our Houseplant Leaf Armor!)
Instead of slicing the stem off, just give it a good snip or chop while cutting. The cleanest cut will be made as a result.
3. If you can, prune in the spring, especially if you want to promote growth. Growth spurts occur in the spring and summer for the majority of plants, including monstera. Pruning in the spring will yield the best benefits and hasten the recovery of your plant. You should prune in the spring because that is when your cuttings will grow the fastest if you intend to propagate them.
4. Arrange the slices. Starting at the base of the stem, remove any outdated or diseased leaves.
Cut where you want the plant to grow if you are pruning to promote growth. Make a top cut if you want it to grow higher.
When the time comes to actually trim your monstera, keep in mind that pruning promotes growth so choose where to make your cuts. You can safely reduce the plant’s size if you’re pruning to manage your monstera’s size. Just remember that it will eventually need to be done again because it will grow back.
5. Be sure to cut below a node if you’re propagating. Don’t be concerned if you’re only trimming to reduce the size of your plant or get rid of dead leaves. However, if you want to grow your cuttings from them, make sure that they have a node, which is a tiny knob that develops on the stem opposite a leaf. When your cutting begins to grow, these will subsequently develop into aerial roots!
Try our new Houseplant Propagation Promoter!
6. Prevent unintentional proliferation. When you’re done pruning, be careful to dispose of your cuttings in the trash if you’re not going to propagate them because if you place them in a compost pile or somewhere else where they can root in the earth, they’ll start to grow roots.
I’m done now! Don’t be afraid to prune your monstera; it’s an essential yet easy component of care for this plant. This plant develops rapidly and bounces back quickly from pruning. Good fortune!
Where should I trim leaves from my Monstera?
Monstera cuttings must be pruned using a clean, sharp pair of shears at least two inches below the node if you want to reproduce them. Trim above the node to get rid of diseased and dead leaves.
Prune in early Spring
Early spring, before the Monstera’s growing season, is the ideal time to prune your plant. At this time, when the days are increasingly sunnier, plants are better able to recover from pruning damage.
Pruning should be avoided during the fall and early winter when your Monstera will go dormant. Simply said, there isn’t enough sunshine to support photosynthesis, which is needed to drive growth and heal pruning damage.
Can a brown Monstera Leaf be saved?
- Trim all of the dead, browned leaves from the area close to the base of your Monstera Deliciosa. The discolored edges need to be pruned since they cannot recover or turn green.
- After ensuring that the soil is dry, water your plant. I would also advise giving your plant a little more frequent waterings.
- The potting mix, light, temperature, pot size, and type all affect how much water your plant requires or how quickly the soil dries. Consider how dry the soil should be before watering it rather than how frequently you should apply water.
- If you have any reason to believe your Monstera Deliciosa has been overwatered, you should check the soil right once. Repot your plant in a new potting soil combination if necessary.
- When cultivated outside, the scorching sunlight causes the leaves to burn and turn brown. Move your plant to a location with filtered sunlight if it is currently exposed to direct sunshine.
Do I need to remove the damaged leaves?
A houseplant’s appearance can also be ruined by dead or poorly formed leaves. Both damaged leaves and missing plant branches can be removed. You can use sharp scissors to trim overly ambitious stems back to just above a leaf point when they start to spoil the plant’s form. Simply remove the dead leaves; do not leave any little snags that will die back. It is advisable to trim the stem back to its base with sharp scissors in order to eliminate any dead leaves that are at the top of the shoot.
The dead blooms on houseplants can be removed individually and thrown on a compost pile. Azaleas bloom profusely over several weeks. Pick off the initial ones as they pass away to make room for the next ones to emerge. It is known as deadheading. You may remove each dead blossom from a cyclamen by pulling it off with the stalk. It will just snap off at the desired location if you give it a little tug. The stem would steadily deteriorate if you merely removed the blossom, which would stimulate the deterioration of other blooms and stems as well. Moreover, it just looks horrible. Don’t leave the blooms and stems at the plant’s base; instead, add them to the compost pile.
Why are my Monstera’s tips browning?
I’ve received a lot of urgent inquiries from folks regarding cultivating Monstera deliciosa, so I’m here to help! I’ve prepared solutions to 14 urgent, frequently asked questions that will prevent your plant from dying and promote the growth of your Monstera!
Aerial roots, growth issues, and diverse leaf flaws are just a few of the topics covered. You might discover the solution to one of your queries if you continue reading!
(Scroll down to the bottom of this post to get a free, ad-free version of this post.)
Can Monstera deliciosa live in water?
Hydroponically, virtually any plant can be grown. But you require more than simply water. A complete fertilizer, such as Dyna-Gro Grow, should be added.
This fertilizer can be used for foliar feeding, hydroponics, and watering your soil. The packaging advises adding 1 teaspoon of Dyna-Gro Grow to a gallon of water for non-recirculating systems for hydroponically growing plants.
They advise using 2-3 tablespoons per gallon if you have a sophisticated system that circulates the water.
Does Monstera need a lot of light?
You shouldn’t typically anticipate your plant to thrive if it is not placed right in front of a window. The better, the larger the window. Additionally, the better, the closer to the window.
Mine is positioned as near to my window as it can get without the leaves brushing the glass. When you move merely one or two steps away, the light intensity decreases suddenly.
A window’s proximity can make a significant difference. These naturally thrive in shaded or filtered light, while some sun is acceptable.
However, I wouldn’t put these plants in direct sunlight. My enormous Eastern window is operating flawlessly. Western exposure is also acceptable.
If your window is a good size, north will also be effective. You might need to use blinds to block off the light from southern exposure because it might be too much sun.
However, it’s crucial to keep your plant as near a window as you can without touching it.
How can I make Monstera grow faster?
I’ve been asked by a lot of people why their plants aren’t flourishing, and the answer is LIGHT.
The care of plants cannot be rushed. Place your Monstera in a bright area for the quickest growth—it must be directly in front of a window!
Warm temperatures, a great, well-drained potting media, and excellent fertilizer are additional requirements.
For a complete list of the conditions that these plants require, including a fantastic potting soil formulation to speed up growth, see my Monstera deliciosa care post. I also cover repotting and how to use my unique support system to help your Monstera deliciosa.
The fertilizer Dyna-Gro Grow comes highly recommended. It is my go-to all-purpose, premium fertilizer and I use it on all of my tropical plants. You won’t be let down!
Check out my comprehensive piece that will address your issues if your Monstera is simply not growing: Why Your Monstera Isn’t Growing: 9 Vital Factors.
Can you cut Monstera air roots off?
In the wild, Monsteras may scale trees using their aerial roots. Over time, you’ll notice that your plant will grow a lot of air roots.
I’d advise leaving them alone if at all possible unless they are a big pain in the neck or are blocking your path. If some of the roots are getting in the way, they can be cut back.
You can also try to reroute the aerial roots so that they might begin to establish themselves in the ground.
Give it time if your plant lacks aerial roots. They won’t start to show up till a specific age of the plant.
Check read my post on Monstera Aerial Roots for a thorough explanation of the subject and the answers to many frequently asked questions.
Inconsistent Soil Moisture
Your leaves may be turning brown at the very tips if the soil is drying out too much overall or if it is being watered inconsistently and improperly.
Never allow the soil to entirely dry out. And when you do water, be sure to water deeply to prevent any soil patches from drying out. This is very significant!
There are additional causes for brown tips, so be sure to read my comprehensive page on Monstera brown tips, which covers a number of causes and remedies.
Fungus Issues
Brown patches on the leaves of your plant with a yellow “halo around the brown spot” are a classic sign of a fungus.
The Instagram user who posted the image above recently bought her plant from a big-box hardware shop. When she bought the plant, she had stated that it was extremely damp.
Long-term, overly damp circumstances, especially when combined with poor air circulation, are conducive to fungus growth. If you’re buying a plant from a nursery that doesn’t take good care of its plants, proceed with extreme caution.
It is preferable if you identify any fungal leaf spots on your plant early and remove any affected leaves. To be safe, avoid misting the foliage for a time.
There are other potential causes for your plant’s brown, crispy leaves in addition to these two primary causes.
Searching for a Monstera to buy? Visit Etsy to see the Monstera assortment (link to Etsy). On Etsy, you can pretty much find any kind of plant, making it a fantastic one-stop store for plants.
How often should I water Monstera deliciosa?
One of the most frequent inquiries I receive is this one. “How frequently should I water [fill in any plant]?
For a plant that is growing in soil, the answer is… it depends! Because it all depends on your circumstances, I am unable to tell you how frequently.
When should I trim the leaves on my Monstera?
The Monstera deliciosa is a stunning climber that is a native of the jungles of Central and South America. It is aggressive and quick to develop. You might be unsure of how, if, or when to prune your Monstera due to how quickly they can grow to be large.
Monsteras require routine pruning. Pruning promotes growth and makes the plant healthier overall. You may regularly replenish your supply of new Monsteras by correctly taking cuttings from the plant and then propagating them. Prior to the Monstera’s growing season beginning in the early spring, pruning should be done.
If you’re not very experienced with houseplants, the prospect of chopping into your prized Monstera might give you the chills. But don’t worry; trimming is easy and beneficial to plants. Continue reading to learn how to prune your Monstera’s various components, why you should, and how to propagate cuttings.
How can a dying Monstera be revived?
Watering should be your first line of defense when trying to resuscitate your monstera if you have been neglecting it. However, be sure it genuinely needs watering before you overwater it—surprisingly, too much affection can sometimes kill plants suddenly! It’s likely that your Monstera needs watering if the leaves have grown to be dry and brown and the soil is light and dry. Use a moisture meter to determine whether the soil around your Monstera has too much or not enough moisture.
Hold out for a moment before rapidly giving your dying plant a bucket of water; there are some unique methods that can make your Monstera look and feel healthier.
Before putting your monstera back in its pot and saucer, soak it for 20 to 30 minutes in a bucket of room-temperature water. After that, continue to water it sparingly but frequently over the following week or two before returning to your regular maintenance schedule. If you believe the root system is still fairly dry, you can soak for 30 minutes several times throughout the first week to ensure that the soil’s moisture level is rising.
When restoring a dying and neglected Monstera, soaking is crucial. It functions much better than simply giving it a lot of water, as the water will immediately run into the saucer and leaving the root system equally dry. Therefore, you need ensure that the soil is evenly hydrated throughout.
There are a few steps you can do to prevent wet or dry soil in the future in order to prevent overwatering or underwatering your Monstera. First off, purchasing a self-watering container enables you to be certain that your Monstera is receiving only the water it need. This self-watering pot from Amazon is something we advise.
Additionally, we advise using terracotta containers rather than plastic ones because they let some water to escape out of the sides while plastic containers trap in all the moisture, which can make the effects of overwatering on your Monstera much more pronounced.