The monstera I’ve had for years is one of my favorite plant babies. I bought it as a small desktop plant from Trader Joe’s, and it’s now an impressive, large plant in the corner of our bedroom. I’ve had to re-pot it multiple times, I’ve given it a moss pole to climb, and I’ve been excited at the emergence of every gorgeously fenestrated leaf. Luckily, I’ve never had to ask, “Is my monstera sick?” but with the plant’s popularity, it’s a question many plant parents may be asking.
What Is a Monstera Plant?
The Monstera deliciosa is a tropical plant native to the rainforests of Central America. Monstera plants are characterized by glossy, heart-shaped leaves, which develop fenestrations (or splits) as they mature. A generally hardy houseplant, monsteras are still susceptible to damage caused by conditions that aren’t ideal. Ahead, signs to watch for to keep your monstera thriving, and what to do to keep it happy.
Signs Your Monstera Is Sick
If you’re asking the question, “Is my monstera sick?” you’ve probably noticed that something is wrong with it.
Plant expert and host of The History of Plants podcast Megan Brame says, “There are a few ways your monstera is signaling things aren’t going well. Yellowing or drooping leaves are usually the first sign, eventually leading to brown, crispy edges.”
Similarly, marketing communications coordinator for the National Garden Bureau Gail Pabst reminds plant owners, “You must take time to look at your plants frequently.” She, too, points out that yellowing leaves can be an indication your monstera is sick. Specifically, “If a leaf is higher on the plant or yellows from the tip inwards, that can indicate additional problems,” she says.
Leaf curling can also be a sign that your monstera is sick. No new leaf growth or a lack of fenestrations (leaf-splitting) could be a sign that your monstera isn’t happy, but isn’t always an indication that something is wrong. Ripping leaves could also be a sign that your monstera is too dry, making the leaves brittle and prone to ripping. A leggy monstera, though not a sign of sickness per se, indicates that your plant isn’t receiving enough light. You should consider moving it to keep it thriving.
Misconceptions About Monstera Healthla
But yellowing leaves aren’t always a sign of a problem. Horticulturist and marketing communications coordinator for the National Garden Bureau Gail Pabst. “Yellowing leaves are a good indication that something might be wrong with your monstera. If one lower leaf turns yellow from the inside out, it might not indicate a problem and might just be older, but if a leaf is higher on the plant or yellows from the tip inwards, that can indicate additional problems. You must take time to look at your plants frequently.”
Brame points out that many people take non-fenestrating leaves as a sign that their monstera is sick, but this is a common misunderstanding. “Some gardeners will expect fenestrations to show up right away on new leaves,” she says, but “fenestrations only begin once the plant has matured and is totally content in its environment.” She continues, “If you think about it, that makes sense: The plant is giving up valuable real estate that would’ve been used for accumulating the things it needs for photosynthesis.”
Leaves that aren’t fenestrated are not a sign that your monstera isn’t doing well, but fenestrated leaves are a sign that it’s happy. “It’s only when things are going really well that the plant ‘thinks’ it’s safe enough to give up parts of its leaves to fenestration. Consequently, new growth rarely gets more than one notch or two, so don’t take a solid leaf as a sign something is wrong. Look for the other more common tell-tale signs instead, like yellow, wilted leaves,” says Brame.
Common Monstera Problems & How to Fix Them
Knowing the common problems with monstera plants and recognizing them when they happen can fix issues before they turn into full-blown problems that have you asking if your monstera is sick. Here are a few problems monsteras tend to have, and how to deal with them so you can keep your plant happy.
Floppy leaves
Monsteras are climbing plants, and if they don’t have something to climb, they will become floppy and unsightly. Brame suggests, “Use a trellis, moss pole, or grid wall panel to help prop it up. Plant Velcro is a popular way to attach monstera stems to a support, but any hook-and-loop tape, twine, or twist ties will do. Just make sure it’s not too tight around the stem, restricting it.”
Too much light
Monsteras are native to tropical areas and grow under the forest canopy. (In nature, they climb tree trunks, which is why you need to give your houseplant monsteras something to climb.) Living under the forest canopy means that monsteras prefer indirect light rather than direct sunlight. As Brame puts it, “Think of how sunlight could hit them while they’re closer to the forest floor. It’s going to take a lot of effort for that light to break through the thick treetops so monsteras only get hit with dappled light at best.” Monsteras will indicate they’re getting too much light through leaves that are yellowing, curling at the tips, or browning at the edges.
It’s important to try to replicate this lighting situation at home. Brame suggests “plopping your potted monstera somewhere that doesn’t allow light to directly reach the leaves, but instead fills the room with light. Things like semi-sheer curtains on a window or placing your monstera off to the side instead of directly in front of a window will do wonders for its health.”
Overwatering
As with many other plants, monstera is vulnerable to overwatering. Signs of overwatering include wilting and yellowing of inner or lower leaves. You may also notice that the leaves begin to “sweat” if you’re watering too much. Soil that doesn’t dry out between watering sessions also indicates overwatering.
Overwatering restricts the plant’s access to oxygen and nutrients. Pabst explains, “People often water too much rather than too little. Overwatering can lead to a lack of oxygen in the soil, making the plant vulnerable to pests.” Eventually, overwatering can also lead to root rot, which could kill your plant.
The first step in fixing overwatering is noticing that it could be happening by being aware of the signs. Simply adjusting your watering schedule may be enough to fix the problem, but if signs of overwatering continue or get worse, you may need to check the roots. If roots are mushy or brown, remove the damaged portion and re-pot in clean, dry soil.
To prevent overwatering, water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Make sure your plant has adequate drainage holes so that excess water can flow out of the pot. You may also want to consider watering from the bottom to ensure the plant soaks up what it needs.
Too dry
Because they are native to tropical environments, monstera plants thrive with the proper humidity. You’ll know your monstera needs more humidity if you notice its leaves curling at the edges. Brown edges can also indicate that your monstera craves more humid conditions. Leaves that rip easily, such as when you brush past your plant, also suggest that it is too dry. To increase humidity, mist the leaves, add a humidifier to the space, or set your monstera on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water.
Is It Too Late to Save My Monstera?
If you’re asking yourself, “Is my monstera sick?” you could be dealing with issues of varying severity. You may have just noticed that something is off, or you may be finally admitting that something is wrong after seeing your monstera deteriorate for a while. So, how do you know if your monstera is worth the effort of saving or if it’s just too far gone?
While Pabst emphasizes how personal it is to decide whether or not to invest time and energy into saving your monstera, Brame describes some concrete steps to take: “My best advice for knowing whether a monstera is savable depends on the roots and nodes. If you’ve got a completely dead leaf, cut the stem down as much as you need until you see green on the inside. This might mean going as far as cutting it down to the soil line. If every cut shows nothing but a brown and hollow inside, and the roots are brown and dry or mushy, then the monstera is a goner. However, if you see a green center and the roots are white with a little suppleness, there’s still hope.”
FAQ
Do monstera plants need a lot of light?
Monstera plants need bright but indirect light. If they don’t get enough light, they will grow leggy. Because their natural habitat is the forest floor, they thrive in conditions that mimic dappled sunlight. This can be achieved through placing monstera plants in a room that gets a lot of sunlight but placing it away from direct sun.
What is the best fertilizer for a monstera plant?
A balanced all-purpose houseplant fertilizer is perfect for a monstera plant. You should fertilize every two weeks during the growing season and once a month during winter.
How long do monstera plants live?
A monstera can live for 20 years or more as a houseplant, and lives for up to 50 years in the wild, making it one of the longest living houseplants.
About the Experts
- Megan Brame is a plant expert, science writer, and host of the Plantrums + The History of Plants podcast. She interviews botanists, horticulturists, historians, and other plant enthusiasts, and dives deep into the history of how specific plants have evolved from wild to cultivated. She also has 247 of her own plants.
- Gail Pabst is a horticulturist and the marketing communications coordinator for the National Garden Bureau. She has a degree in Agriculture, Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
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