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 toward 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 vapor 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 meter 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 utilize filtered or rainfall.
Low Humidity
You may recall those high school science lessons where it was demonstrated that water vapor 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%.
Curled Monstera leaves – will they uncurl?
Depending on the cause, curled Monstera leaves may or may not uncurl. These causes include new growth, excessive fertilizing, 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. Water usually does the trick for most leaf curl problems in Monstera plants. 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.
Why are the leaves on my Monstera turning inward?
When you see the leaves of your favorite monstera plant curling, it is quite painful. Now you might be attempting to identify the plant’s problem.
I have the expertise to address this issue, and I’ll provide you all the information you require in this post to do it. But figuring out the root of the issue is the first step.
The two main factors that contribute to monstera deliciosa leaves curling are underwatering and temperature stress. It could also be the result of poor water quality, disease, insect infestation, or excessive fertilizer use. Low light levels and an excessive amount of moisture can also cause monstera leaves to curl.
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.
Why do leaves curl?
You may need to conduct some investigation to determine the reason of curling leaves on plants in your garden or landscaping if you’re perplexed by them. Many issues, such as insect damage, disease, abiotic conditions, or even herbicides, can result in curled leaves.
When they suck plant juices from fresh or young leaves that are still growing, a variety of insect pests cause the leaves to curl. Aphids, thrips, and whiteflies are a few of these.
If the leaves on your peach or nectarine trees are puckered, curled, or reddish in color, your tree most likely has peach leaf curl disease. Only peach and nectarine trees are harmed by this plant fungus.
When the weather is damp in the spring, vegetable plants like pepper, eggplant, and tomato frequently roll their leaves. There is no disease causing this, thus nothing needs to be done.
Herbicides (weed killers) can unintentionally drift onto or come into touch with attractive plants while being sprayed for weeds, harming them. Leaves may curl as a result of herbicides with active components like glyphosate and 2,4-D.
Use the UC IPM plant problem diagnosis tool to learn more about the root of your plant’s leaf curling. This simple-to-use tool will assist identify and diagnose the issue and offers helpful photos.
Leaf curling can occasionally be a challenging issue to identify. Contact your neighborhood UC Master Gardener Program or UC Cooperative Extension Office if you need help.
What causes my Monstera to bend?
The leaves and stems of a thirsty Monstera should droop or bend downward as a warning sign. It could also appear wilted.
But this is a simple problem to solve because after a decent watering, the plant should seem more vibrant again.
Every 7-8 days, I notice that my Monstera enjoys water. It’s time to water if the soil feels dry on your finger or 1-2 inches down.
Bending stems could also be an indication that your plant needs more support if it is still producing new stems, you can see a lot of new growth, and you know it is receiving enough water.
A simple solution is to bury a moss pole in the ground and direct the stems to begin growing upwards rather than outwards.
Check your pot’s size as well. Make sure the pot isn’t too huge if the plant is young. These plants may endure cramped conditions for a while before requiring repotting.
Additionally, a pot that is too large frequently necessitates overwatering because to the soil’s tendency to retain extra moisture. A young plant won’t enjoy these circumstances, too.
Additionally, excessive watering nearly invariably results in root rot, which serves as a haven for fungus gnats (learn how to get rid of them).
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.
How much water should I give my Monstera?
Fill the pot with water abundantly until you see water trickling through into the saucer underneath. The size of the plant and the potting container will determine the exact volume.
Should I mist my Monstera?
A light mist can give some humidity and aid in hydrating the leaves. However, take care not to drown the leaves in water, as this might cause rot and fungus diseases.
Can Yellow Monstera leaves turn green again?
Most Monstera plants will not recover their full vibrant green color after suffering from over- or under-watering problems, depending on the degree of color loss. If the leaf is extremely damaged, try to prune it back as neatly and closely as you can to the stem to make room for new development.
How do I know if my Monstera is healthy?
The secret to growing indoor plants successfully is finding the ideal ratio of light, water, food, and temperature. You’ll need to monitor and make adjustments to guarantee your Monstera plant flourishes because each home or business has its own particular combination of environmental factors. A Monstera that is happy and healthy will have strong, healthy leaves and show constant development.
Can plants recover from overwatering?
If you mitigated early and altered the watering patterns moving forward, plants can recover from overwatering. Over the course of two weeks, keep a watchful eye out for any general indications of plant health improvement.
How can you cheer up Monstera?
PRO HINT: Monsteras love to climb up vertical surfaces because they are climbing plants. Use pegs or moss sticks to direct your Monstera’s growth upward if you prefer it to grow tall rather than wide.
A tough and simple-to-care-for species of flowering plant native to southern Mexico and Panama called Monstera deliciosa is also known as the “Due to the distinctive growth of ridges and holes, or fenestrations, on its more mature leaves, the Swiss cheese plant is called that. The “The fruit that the plant produces in its native environment, which resembles a pineapple, gives the plant its deliciosa moniker.
A warm, humid environment with plenty of water and soft sunlight are preferred by monsteras. Put your Monstera in an area with indirect light that ranges from moderate to bright. Even though it can tolerate lower light levels, you can notice lanky growth as a result, so the optimum location is a few feet away from a window that faces the south, west, or east and provides brilliant indirect light.
We offer a guide on how to measure light in your environment if you are unclear of the lighting conditions in your house or place of business.
Only the most mature leaves of the Monstera typically develop the distinctive splits, and even so, only under optimal circumstances. Just wait if yours has plenty of light but no splits.