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 become excessively dry, or your plant has been left moist for an extended period of time. 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 outside, your Monstera or any other houseplant you decide to spend the summer outdoors will grow with startlingly stunning 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.
Why is the new leaf on my plant brown?
Every day, plants naturally lose and gain water through their tissues. When lost water cannot be restored for some reason, the tips of the leaves turn brown. Water should ideally move from plant roots via stems and rivers to leaf tips last. However, when water is scarce, other plant components receive priority; tip cells lose out and suffer a form of drought, ultimately dying.
Brown tips are ugly and can be caused by anything that prevents roots from absorbing enough water or supplying it to the plant quickly enough. This includes giving the plant enough water, insufficient water, or excessive fertilizer. Damaged or distressed roots are unable to perform their function.
Brown tips develop for the same fundamental causes whether the plant is covered indoors or exposed in an outdoor environment. The dead tip cells cannot be revived once they turn brown, however prompt repairs assist in reviving the remainder of your plant.
Why does the leaf on my Monstera seem burned?
Your Monstera may be receiving too much direct sunlight if its leaves are turning brown. The leaves might burn as a result of this, and they wouldn’t be able to recover. Bright light is preferred by monsteras, although it must be indirect. Try shifting your Monstera to a different window if the south-facing one provides too much direct light. In the summer, when the sun is more intense for longer stretches of the day, you need exercise a little more caution. In order to prevent any leaf burn, it is preferable to relocate your Monstera about a meter further away from the window during the warmer months.
You can use a light meter to determine how much light your Monstera receives during the day. It’s possible that your Monstera receives excessive early sun exposure or afternoon shade on account of its location.
Low humidity levels cause brown edges on Monstera leaves
Since monsteras are native to tropical jungles, they prefer a humid habitat. Your home’s air may be too dry for your Monstera if you notice that the edges of its leaves are becoming brown. There are a few extremely easy ways to maintain your Monstera’s humidity levels higher than normal. You can spritz the leaves every few days, place your plant in a tray with water and stones, or place it in the bathroom while the shower is running hot.
Using a humidifier is the greatest approach to steadily raise the humidity for your plant. They contribute to raising the amount of water vapor in the air around your plants, which keeps the dry leaves at bay and results in a lot of happy, healthy plants.
If you’re more concerned, you may also purchase a reliable humidity meter to keep track of everything. Move your Monstera away from any air conditioners as well, as they produce very dry air.
Lack of nutrients could be the cause
Lack of nutrition is a less evident reason why your monstera’s leaves are turning brown. It is definitely a good idea to replace some of the soil in the pot with a nice rich potting mix or compost if you haven’t repotted your monstera in new soil in a year or two. In order to ensure that your plant is receiving enough nutrients to flourish, it is also a good idea to feed it every few months during the growing seasons (spring and summer). You have two options for fertilizers: liquid fertilizers that you mix with water, or spikes that you plant in the soil and let release nutrients gradually.
The most frequent causes of browning monstera leaves are as follows. We advise cutting the dark sections of the leaf or removing the entire leaf if it has begun to turn brown because there is frequently no turning back after a leaf has started.
If the issue is identified quickly and properly treated, your monstera should recover fully and start to produce lush, healthy leaves once more.
Does Monstera enjoy the sun’s rays?
Although they cannot survive direct sunshine, monsteras require intense light. Although they can survive in low light, they won’t develop as well. You must give your Monstera plant adequate light for it to develop a spectacular Monstera plant with the lacy leaves and the hue you admire.
How should burned Monstera leaves be used?
The Monstera plant’s best quality is how quickly it responds to resurrection and how effectively it heals.
However, pay close attention to seriously damaged components, which are typically irreparable. Before moving toward revival, start by removing the damaged portions.
Relocate the Plant
For instance, if your plant is close to a window with a west or south orientation, move it at least three to four feet away.
The east-facing window, which receives plenty of morning sunlight but less during the day, is another option.
In the tropics, monstera, a shade plant, flourishes in the shade of big trees. For them to stay safe, identical circumstances must exist at home.
The optimal light temperature for plant growth is between 2,700 and 7,000 Kelvin.
Placing the plant near areas that receive a lot of bright, diffused sunlight, such as adjacent to a curtained window, patio, or door, is one approach to accomplish that.
However, avoid putting them in dimly lit, moist locations that get little to no sunshine.
Remove the Burnt Leaves
The following and most crucial step is to recover the plant by chopping off damaged areas.
The harmed leaves won’t recover anyhow, but they will deprive the plant of its vital nutrients.
Get rid of any damaged leaves to help the plant regenerate by directing nutrients to strong stems and new leaves.
Trim any burned patches, browned or faded leaves, or spent or bleached leaves using a pair of disinfected pruning shears or scissors.
Not to fear, the areas that were cut will sprout new foliage this coming growing season.