This impressive plant with holes in the leaves is one of the most popular houseplants because they are a real eye-catcher. Of course, you will be all the prouder if you are successful with the care and the large monstera leaves are lush, green and large. Of course, it is all the more annoying when problems suddenly arise. It is always the leaves that are the quickest way to recognize that something is wrong with the plant. We have listed some typical problems with Monstera leaves for you so that you can act quickly and correctly.
When the plant leaves drip
If the Monstera leaves are dripping, also called “sweating” and “crying,” it is a sign that the moisture you have been giving it is just too much of a good thing. If you keep the soil too moist for too long, the plant will continue to absorb this moisture (after all, it also wants the nutrients that come with it), but it will then excrete the excess through each individual leaf.
In principle, the plant does this all the time, except that it is not always noticeable to the eye. However, when photosynthesis does not take place (e.g. at night when there is no light, which is necessary for photosynthesis), the excreted water cannot evaporate as quickly. Combined with a warm earth and cooler air temperature, it then collects in the form of droplets.
So since this phenomenon is actually a sign of overwatering, you should fix the problem as soon as possible. Apart from root rot, a nutrient deficiency can also occur, which can be recognized by yellow leaves, among other things.
Discolored Monstera leaves
You can quickly tell that the plant is sick from discoloration and spots. However, the causes can vary.
Monstera leaves turn brown
Is your Monstera getting brown leaves? To find the exact cause, take a closer look at the discoloration, as the brown tone as well as the gradient and possible additional discoloration can be in other colors.
Eye spot disease
- Eye spot disease causes brown spots with a yellow border on Monstera.
- The mushroom (Spilocaea oleagina) slowly spreads to the whole leaf and then to the rest of the plant and should be treated as quickly as possible to save it.
- First, simply cut off diseased Monstera leaves (then disinfect the scissors).
- If the disease continues to spread and you find brown spots on the Monstera, treat with appropriate products (usually copper-based).
Overfertilization
- Brown leaf edges are a sign, along with the shedding of old leaves as new ones appear.
Burns from the sun
- Sunburn is noticeable through light brown spots that appear dry.
- Dry spots on the tips or edges of leaves.
- Immediately move the plant to a shadier location.
- Affected leaves do not bother the plant, but they are not pleasant to look at.
- Cut off the leaves so that the plant can put more energy into growing new ones.
- Avoid frequent changes.
Monstera leaves turn yellow
Even if the Monstera gets yellow leaves, this can of course have different causes. These include:
- incorrect watering
- incorrect lighting conditions
- Temperature fluctuations
- problematic repotting
- Nutrient deficiency or excess
- Pests
- Diseases (e.g. anthracnose causes brown spots and yellow leaves on the Monstera)
Check out our post about yellow monstera leavesmore detailed informationin this regard.
Black spots on the plant
If the Monstera gets black leaves, which appear as spots, it could well be the so-called leaf spot disease. The spots can also tend to be brown in color. Causes are:
- Overwatering during dormancy
- too humid, congested air
- Cold (both in terms of temperature and irrigation water)
This is what you can do:
- Cut off any diseased leaves.
- Treat with fungicides.
- Disinfect tools.
- From now onmaintain properly.
Monstera has floppy leaves
What can cause Monstera leaves to appear limp?
Lack of moisture
- As with all plants, a lack of moisture causes the leaves to droop because not enough water reaches the tips.
- The plant tries to first preserve and save the more important parts of the plant, namely the roots.
- So water more often or more extensively.
Root rot
- Wilted leaves, which initially appear to be due to a lack of moisture.
- Before you rush to water, you should be sure that the roots are not affected.
- waterloggingleads to root rotwith the same result as lack of water: moisture can no longer reach the leaves (since the roots are damaged and can no longer absorb it).
- Cut off affected roots.
- Repot the plant in fresh and, above all, dry soil with a drainage layer.
- Stop watering for a few days!
When the plant sheds leaves
...this may be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Usually an old leaf falls off as soon as a new one grows. If your Monstera leaves have problems of this kind, the solution is clear: fertilize!
Monstera leaves curl up
If the Monstera has curled leaves, this is not necessarily a sign of a problem. Freshly sprouted plant leaves can also look like a roll before they spread completely. However, if you suddenly notice this with a larger leaf, it could be a bad sign:
Monstera leaves curl up when:
- There is a lack of water, both in terms of watering and humidity.
- there is a pest infestation or disease (spider mites,powdery mildewand thrips suck out the leaf juice).
- Heat stress prevails.
- The plant container is not optimal.
- You overwater the plant in the long run.
