Monstera plants are renowned for having large, gorgeous leaves with fenestrations. However, those leaves can be sensitive, and the first area you’ll notice issues when a monstera is dissatisfied with its surroundings or care are the leaves!
Curling leaves are one of the many signs that a monstera needs a change. In order to narrow down the possible causes of monstera leaf curl, you may need to do some detective work and use the method of “elimination.”
In order to limit exposed surface area and water loss through transpiration, monstera leaves typically curl. This typically indicates that water loss is a problem for whatever cause, such as heat stress, underwatering, damaged roots, or fluid loss as a result of insect infestation.
A monstera leaf can curl in a number of various ways, which might help you identify the underlying problem.
Monstera Leaves Curling Inwards
If the tips of your monstera plant’s leaves are curling inward or upward, it can be a sign of inadequate watering, a lack of humidity, or even an insect infestation.
Monstera Leaves Curling Under
For many of the same reasons, monstera leaves can curl inward towards the base, though occasionally this may be a sign of heat stress or underwatering if the leaf lacks turgor pressure. This may be the case if the leaves feel flimsy, weak, or appear to be drooping.
Monstera Leaves Crinkling
Most typically, crinkled, brittle leaves indicate underwatering or low humidity, especially if they have dry or browning margins.
The probable causes and methods to determine why your monstera is stressed are listed below if you notice any of these symptoms, including puckering, curling under, or upward leaf motion.
How can curled Monstera leaves be repaired?
Even after daily watering, your Monstera’s leaves are still curled. In this instance, though, you might actually be overwatering, which would cause the leaves to curl.
Your monstera’s roots will be drowned by excessive watering, which might result in fungi that cause diseases like root rot. When the root system is compromised, the plant’s remaining parts cannot receive nutrients and water.
Monstera leaves often fold themselves up in reaction to water shortage in order to lessen the amount of water vapour emitted into the atmosphere, much like underwatered plants do.
How to determine whether overwatering is the cause of curled leaves:
- Test with your finger by sticking it in the ground. Wait a few more days before watering your plants again if there is moisture 2 to 3 inches down.
- Poke-a-stick technique: Insert a chopstick or dowel made of wood into the ground. It’s not yet time to water if it comes out damp with particles of dark soil adhered to it.
- To test the soil, place the probe about halfway into the pot. You don’t need to water the plant if the metre is still reading higher than a 3.
How to treat a Monstera that is too wet
- When the leaves on my Monstera begin to curl, I simply wait a few days for the soil to dry up before watering it once again.
- To avoid future curling if the soil wasn’t able to dry in time, you might need to upgrade your drainage holes or replace the soil with aerated well-draining soil. Consider incorporating perlite, coconut coir, and orchid bark into your potting soil mixture.
Use of Chlorinated Tap Water
If you regularly water your plant and haven’t over- or under-watered it, you might want to look into the water quality you’re using right now.
Fluoride and chlorine have been added to tap water to help limit the growth of bacteria. These substances will eliminate the helpful bacteria that are already present in your soil, stopping them from breaking down organic matter so that your roots can absorb it.
Additionally, regular use of tap water causes salt to build up, which kills the root tips on your Monstera and makes them more vulnerable to root rot.
Again, a scarcity of water and nutrients sets off the defensive mechanism. Your Monstera’s leaves will curl up as a result.
How to treat leaf curl brought on by using tap water:
- Look for and remove any dark, rotting roots from the plant.
- Repot your plant in a fresh, Monstera-appropriate mix of well-draining, aerated soil.
- The chlorine in the tap water will disappear if you leave it out for at least 24 hours. As an alternative, you ought to utilise filtered or rainfall.
Low Humidity
You may recall those high school science lessons where it was demonstrated that water vapour moves from areas with high humidity to areas with reduced humidity. But what are Monstera leaves involved in any of this?
Plants release water through transpiration, as I have mentioned. Low humidity causes monstera plants’ leaves to lose more water than usual and begin to curl up.
How to determine whether low humidity is to blame for the leaves curling
- Low humidity can cause Monstera leaves to curl, which is sometimes misinterpreted for underwatering. Low humidity is also frequently indicated by symptoms on your plant, such as drooping, browning, or crisping leaves.
- You’ll require a hygrometer, which you must purchase, to properly identify the issue.
Curling leaves due to low humidity can be fixed by:
- Monstera should ideally be kept in a space with humidity levels between 40% and 60% to avoid curled leaves.
- You should either acquire a humidifier, a pebble tray, or try grouping your houseplants together to boost overall humidity if the humidity level in your space is below 40%.
What does it indicate when the leaves of my Monstera curl?
Learning to spot warning signals that your monstera is unhappy is among the most crucial aspects of monstera care. Most of these signals will be easiest to spot in the leaves. Consequently, what should you do if you find that your monstera leaves are curling?
The main offender is probably thirst or dryness. Your monstera may not be receiving enough water or the surroundings may be too dry if its leaves are curling and even seeming slightly brittle.
However, flooding your plant with additional water might not be the best solution! It’s crucial to identify the cause of your monstera’s drying out so you can address the underlying issue rather than just applying a Band-Aid repair that will only work momentarily or, worse, make matters worse!
What to do if you find your monstera leaves curling and drying out, as well as three reasons why your monstera may be too dry, are given below.
Curled Monstera leaves – will they uncurl?
Depending on the cause, curled Monstera leaves may or may not uncurl. These causes include new growth, excessive fertilising, and a lack of water. The leaves will uncurl for the previously mentioned first two reasons. The plant will gradually recover after the issues are fixed. On dry plants, controlled watering usually works. The curled leaves on the new growth will uncurl.
The water in the plants’ systems will be restored when they receive water replenishment, improving nutrient circulation. For the majority of leaf curl issues with Monstera plants, water usually works. Providing you’re using the proper kind of water, that is. Use filtered water that is free of chlorine and the majority of other chemicals. Allow the water to settle overnight if you’re using unfiltered water so that any chemicals will either settle at the bottom or evaporate.
Curled leaves do they uncurl?
If your rubber plant is putting on new growth, it could be one reason why its leaves are curling. This is one issue that is completely normal and not a cause for alarm. New, immature leaves on the rubber plant are tightly curled as they grow, but as they mature, they will uncurl.
How can you tell if your Monstera plant needs more water?
One of those problems where there are a variety of potential causes (such as nutrient deficiency). But your monstera’s leaves could turn yellow if you overwater it or submerge it.
What’s the difference?
Overwatered: The older leaves or the leaves towards the bottom of the plant will yellow first if your monstera is receiving too much water.
Underwatered: If your monstera is very dry, yellowish leaves will begin to appear on the entire plant, possibly beginning with the younger, more delicate leaves.
How frequently should a Monstera be watered?
Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii are the two varieties of Monstera that are grown as indoor plants. In addition to having entirely enclosed leaf holes, Monstera adansonii differs from M. deliciosa by having longer, tapering leaves. Leaf holes on Monstera deliciosa eventually mature, move towards the edge, and then open up.
Though they hardly ever flower or produce edible fruit inside, they are one of the few aroids that produce edible fruit, especially Monstera deliciosa, which is a member of the Araceae, the Aroid Family. Although the indigenous peoples of Central America had been familiar with monsteras for a very long time, the botanical community only became publicly aware of them in the early 20th century, like many aroids.
thrives in direct light that is bright to medium. Although it cannot tolerate strong, direct sunlight, it can become accustomed to it.
Water every one to two weeks, letting the soil dry out in between applications. In brighter light, water more frequently, and in less-bright light, less frequently. Pro tip: Water that has been filtered or set out overnight before use is beneficial for monsteras.
Although normal room humidity will do, humid circumstances are prefered. Use a fine-mist mister or humidifier to increase the humidity level in the room.
Most houseplants enjoy temperatures between 65F and 85F. (18C-30C). It’s ideal to keep the temperature above 60F. (15C).
Use a potting mix that drains effectively. As needed, include elements like perlite or lava rocks to improve soil aeration.
The Monstera is a calm and often pest-free plant. Treat pests as soon as they show up by wiping down the plant frequently and weekly applications of a natural insecticide like neem oil.
SYMPTOM: Edges of leaves that are turning brown and crunchy. CAUSE: Overwatered, thirsty, or high salt buildup
How is a Monstera straightened?
Maintaining your Monstera plant upright is crucial because if it manages to flop to one side or the other, it may find it difficult to continue growing and may be difficult to straighten up again without harming the leaves. Today, we’ll discuss keeping your Monstera upright and developing upward.
Using a stake to hold a Monstera in place while it grows is the most efficient approach to keep it growing upward in a straight line. The ability to climb is essential to the Monstera. It will mechanically move upward in a roughly straight line with the aid of a stake.
Do I need to spray my Monstera?
Monstera Deliciosas may tolerate low to high levels of indirect, dappled light. Their leaves may burn and scorch if exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Low light conditions will inhibit growth.
Make sure your Variegated Monstera Deliciosa gets enough of bright indirect light if you have one.
Water
You should spritz your Monstera Deliciosa frequently and water it once a week. In the winter, when you may only need to water your plant every two weeks, let the soil dry up in between waterings.
Humidity
Because Monstera Deliciosa prefers a humid atmosphere, we advise often wetting its leaves. To boost the humidity of the air around your plant, you might also place it close to other plants.
Additional care information
From a stem and leaf cutting, you may quickly reproduce your monstera deliciosa in water. Make sure to make the cut just below a stem node.
The Monstera Deliciosa’s huge leaves are readily covered in dust over time. Use a moist towel to routinely wipe them.
Troubleshooting
Yellowing leaves may indicate that your Monstera Deliciosa has experienced moisture shock or has received too much light.
Browning leaves are a sign that your plant has been receiving insufficient light or has been exposed to low humidity.
Can a leaf curl be reversed?
A plant’s response to not having its requirements satisfied is frequently curled, decaying leaves. Insufficient moisture usually causes leaves to wilt or curl, but too much watering can also make leaves curl. Maintain soil that is moist but not soggy. Leaf rolling may also be caused by extreme heat and dryness. During the hottest portion of the day, covering plants with a shade cloth is beneficial. Other reasons for leaf curl include trimming, transplant shock, and root injury. The still-green leaves will thicken and curl. With the right care, the plant typically bounces back and the leaves return to normal.