Your Monstera has brown or yellow leaves and you want to know what's going on. Recognizable! It's one of the most common concerns among plant lovers. The good news: in most cases, it's easy to solve if you know the cause.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Brown leaf edges | Too low humidity | Mist or humidifier |
| Yellow leaves | Too much water or too little light | Water less, more light |
| Brown spots | Sunburn | Move out of direct sunlight |
| Drooping leaves | Too little water or root rot | Check roots and watering pattern |
| No fenestrations | Too young or too little light | Patience + more indirect light |
| Black spots | Root rot due to overwatering | Repot, remove rotten roots |
| Drops on leaves | Guttation (normal) | No action needed, it's healthy |
Brown leaf edges
Brown, dry edges on your Monstera's leaves almost always indicate too low humidity. Especially in the winter months, when the heating is on, the air dries out quickly. The solution is simple: mist your Monstera regularly, place a bowl of water near the heater, or invest in a humidifier.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves can have several causes, but the two most common are overwatering and too little light. First, check if the soil isn't too wet. Does the potting soil still feel moist to the touch? Then you're watering too much. Let the soil dry out thoroughly before watering again.
Is your Monstera in a dark spot? Then move it closer to the window. A plant that receives too little light cannot produce chlorophyll properly, causing its leaves to turn yellow.
Brown spots in the middle of the leaf
Brown, dry spots in the middle of the leaves usually indicate sunburn. The Monstera cannot tolerate direct sunlight — the intense midday sun can literally burn the leaf tissue. Move your plant to a spot with indirect light and remove severely damaged leaves.
Limp, drooping leaves
A Monstera with limp leaves is either thirsty or suffering from root rot. Feel the soil: is it bone dry? Then your plant is craving water. Give it a good drink, and within a few hours, the leaves will recover.
Is the soil soaking wet? Then there may be root rot. Take the plant out of the pot, check the roots (healthy roots are white/light brown, rotten roots are dark brown/black and soft), and remove the rotten part. Repot in fresh, well-draining potting soil.
When are yellow leaves normal?
Important to know: if only the lowest, oldest leaves occasionally turn yellow, that is completely normal. The plant sheds old leaves to put energy into new growth. As long as the newest leaves are healthy, you don't need to worry.
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View Monsteras →Frequently asked questions
Can I make brown leaves green again?
No, once brown tissue does not recover. Cut away the brown part or remove the entire leaf if it is largely damaged. Focus on preventing new damage.
How do I know if my Monstera is getting too much or too little water?
Check the soil: wet and musty smelling = too much water. Bone dry and pulling away from the pot edge = too little. The ideal situation is slightly moist a few centimeters deep.
Should I remove yellow leaves?
Yes, remove completely yellow leaves. The plant no longer draws energy from them, and they can attract mold.
