How dry should I let the soil get before watering is the proper question to ask. And for the love of plants, please refrain from using a moisture meter!
Why? Because the majority of them are useless garbage, and because many customers have come to me after using a moisture meter to kill their plant,
Simply feel the earth with your finger. Depending on the size of the pot, let the top inch or two grow before adding water.
A drainage hole must be present in your pot. Not having a drainage hole is not an option.
And always, ALWAYS water your lawn thoroughly. Soak the ground completely, then let the water drain completely.
Overwatering doesn’t mean what most people assume it does, so you should get rid of that concern!
Overwatering causes an unreasonable anxiety in most people. Ironically, they really drown as a result of their dread. Learn the truth about overwatering. You might be shocked.
Why are my Monstera’s new leaves brown or black before it unfurls?
Before they have even begun to unfold, a plant’s new leaves will be brown or black, indicating a severe imbalance in soil moisture.
Either your soil has gone much too dry, or you plant has stayed wet for too long. To learn how to water a houseplant correctly, be sure to read my blog post on under- and overwatering.
Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?
Most definitely! It will prosper outside! If you decide to move your indoor plants outside during the hot summer months, there is one thing you must do without fail.
Plants must be hardened off otherwise their leaves will burn. Many people are unaware of this and believe falsely that their plants dislike being outdoors.
Once you’ve prepared your plants for the outdoors, your Monstera or any other houseplant you decide to spend the summer outdoors will grow with startlingly wonderful results. No plant was ever intended to be indoors, after all!
Why is my Monstera deliciosa wilting?
The most frequent causes of this are either extremely dry or extremely moist soil.
As soon as you notice your plant wilting, check the soil’s moisture level. Has the ground dried completely? If so, water it thoroughly and thoroughly straight away.
On the other side, if your Monstera plant has wilted and the soil feels extremely wet when you go to feel it, your plant may have experienced root rot.
Take the plant out of its pot and examine the roots if the soil is really damp and it appears like it is wilting. The roots have they rotted? Does the earth have a faint rotten odor?
It might be wise to remove the dead roots at this time, take out as much soil as you can, and repot the plant in new soil.
Why is my Monstera getting yellow leaves?
The soil being too dry is perhaps the most frequent cause of yellowing Monstera leaves.
Feel the soil if you see that the lower leaves are becoming yellow, especially the oldest ones. The oldest leaves will turn yellow first if the soil is extremely dry (totally dry).
From my experience, this is the most typical cause, however there are quite a few additional causes for the yellowing of your houseplant’s leaves.
What are the best Monstera support ideas?
Making your own is the best and most affordable option if you’re seeking for the best moss pole for Monstera. I’ve bought moss posts online, but they’re pricey and not very useful.
Don’t miss my DIY Moss Post tutorial so you can create your own superior post at a lower cost than anything you can buy.
If you only have one or two Monstera deliciosa vines in a single container, I think moss posts work best. Due to space restrictions, it is less useful if you have more vines.
I would suggest a bamboo tripod if you have numerous vines in one pot, like I do for my largest plant. Put three strong bamboo stakes within the pot and knot them together at the top. This offers a lovely, reliable assistance.
Why are my variegated Monstera leaves turning brown?
I’ll direct you to my blog entry about variegated Monstera deliciosa for this one. There are a few causes for this, and I go into more depth in the article I just linked to.
Yellow monstera leaves can mean it’s either getting too much water, or not enough nutrients.
Yellow leaves can also signify a variety of things. You’re probably overwatering your monstera if the leaves are turning yellow. Make sure your plant receives lots of indirect sunshine so the top few inches of soil may dry out quickly before watering.
Considering that your monstera may also be lacking in nutrients, this is an excellent moment to start using a liquid fertilizer in your usual care. Because Monstera Plant Food is made to be used with every watering, you won’t need to keep track of a fertilization schedule, which is why we adore it!
Dark brown spots on monstera leaves is a good indication of the plant getting too much water.
If your monstera plant has dark brown stains on its leaves, it may be because of overwatering, which is rotting the roots. (Read 4 Signs Your Monstera Is Over-Watered for additional information.)
Trim off any roots that appear mushy or brown with clean, sharp pruning scissors after carefully removing the plant from the pot. Repot the plant into a clean container (either a new one or the old one that you’ve cleaned out) with fresh, dry soil after removing as much of the old, damp dirt from the root ball as you can.
Make sure your monstera receives enough of light, and reduce watering while the plant is healing. You can also remove the damaged leaves with pruning.
Make sure the soil feels dry before watering to prevent root rot, and think about obtaining a moisture meter like this one to check the moisture content of the root ball before watering.
Light brown spots and crispy edges on monstera leaves means the monstera needs more water.
Your monstera plant may be thirsty if the edges become a light brown color and become “crispy.” Give the earth a drink and think about watering a little more frequently if it feels dry. The dead edges can be removed because they won’t recover.
Additionally, avoid placing your monstera in direct sunlight as this might burn the leaves! Move your monstera a little further into the space or to a better location altogether if you observe the sunshine directly striking your leaves.
A drooping monstera can mean it needs more water or more light.
Another symptom that could imply a variety of things is drooping monstera leaves. Your monstera may be overwatered or underwatered in this situation.
Look at the earth to determine which it is! It’s likely that your plant needs water if the soil seems dry. Give your plant a chance to dry out if it feels moist before watering it once more. Make sure it receives plenty of indirect sunshine so it can successfully do this. Consider repotting into a pot with greater drainage and a faster-draining soil if you notice your soil remains wet for an extended period of time.
Your monstera might need additional light if the soil looks to be healthy and watering doesn’t seem to be the problem. (Read 4 Signs Your Monstera Needs More Light for more information.)
Read our instructions on watering your monstera here. Watering is typically the most challenging aspect of taking care of any plant.
Should you trim the Monstera’s brown leaves?
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.
Is the sun getting too much on my Monstera?
- Balance the sun’s and the shade’s intensity. The leaves of Monstera become yellow when exposed to excessive sunlight. The plant will display a condition known as negative phototropism, in which new leaves develop toward the darkness rather than the light, if kept in the dark. (It’s a really cunning trick: in the jungle, nighttime indicates the presence of a taller tree that Monstera can scale to reach the sun.) Indirect sunlight is preferable because this isn’t attainable in a living room.
- Water Monstera once a week, evenly and moderately. Prior to adding more water, allow the soil to become somewhat dry. Keep in a relatively humid setting.
- Avoid repotting too frequently and trim regularly by pinching off new growth to control excessive growth.
Scientists have conjectured as to why Monstera leaves have holes: one theory holds that this perforation increases the leaf’s surface area, which in turn increases its capacity to capture sunlight on the rainforest floor; the other theory holds that it permits tropical downpours to pass through the leaves, limiting damage to the plant. This explains Hurricane Plant, another name for Monstera.
Note that some of our favorite indoor plants are native to the tropics. Check out Tropical Plants 101: A Guide to Planting, Care & Design for more information. More ideas for indoor plants can be found at:
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 toward 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 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 toward 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 preferred. 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 can overwatered monstera be fixed?
If the monstera delicosa or adansonii has not experienced serious root rot, it may be feasible to revive it. The most crucial step is to remove excess water from the soil and allow plenty of time for your pots to dry.
If you want to restore our plant to optimal health, you may need to take into account the potential consequences of overwatering a monstera.
Here’s how to save a monstera that’s been overwatered:
Withhold watering and drain the potting soil
It’s important to wait to water your plant until you’re certain that the extra water has been drained.
At least twice a week, give your Monstera adansonii some water (depending on the climate in your area). Make sure the top layer of the potting has dried out completely before providing water to your plant (about 1-2 inches).
Check for root rot indicators
A negative effect of overwatering is root rot. Drooping leaves, a bad smell, and the sight of dark brown spots inside your plant’s roots are a few of the typical signs of root rot.
In order to stop the infection from spreading to other sections of the plant, it is essential to replace the potting soil and remove any rotting roots. To help inhibit the spread of disease, use a fungicide (and eradicate the fungi from your soil).
Make sure you stick to your watering schedule, and check on the health of your plant frequently.
Change potting medium
By altering the potting medium, you can prevent waterlogging, root rot, and other consequences of over watering. In addition, monstera are often enormous plants that may occasionally need to have their growing containers changed to allow a growth in size.
A potting mix of well-moisturized, well-drained soils with a relative pH range of 5.5-6.5 is ideal for growing monstera. Additionally, you can choose to mix pine bark fines with peat moss in a 1:4 ratio.
Selecting the best potting medium enables you to regulate temperature and water retention while also giving your plant a secure foundation.
Change the growing container
Selecting the right growth container for your monstera adansonii or delicosa is essential. When choosing a high-quality pot, you may need to take the plant’s size into account as well as drainage options and the pot’s material. The spacing on either side of a healthy growing pot should be about one and a half inches.
Before adding any potting material, always make sure your roots fit within the pot securely. While some monstera plants have aerial roots that may cling to the surface, the majority of them will fit inside the container.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to pick a pot with drainage holes so that excess water can run off. Another choice is double potting, which might be advantageous if you have growing containers that don’t fit inside your home.