Possibly the most common question I have gotten in regards to my Monsteras is why are my Monstera leaves turning brown? This is a very common problem with Monsteras and there are quite a few reasons this happens.
The major causes of browning Monstera leaves include overwatering, direct sunlight, dry air, and nutritional deficiency.
In most cases, once a leaf has begun to turn brown, there is nothing that can be done to save it, thus we suggest either cutting or trimming away any dark areas of a leaf that has become brown.
Read More: Monstera Leaves Care – A Complete Guide
Table of Contents
Overwatering: Dark Brown Spots On Monstera Leaves
Overwatering is the most typical cause of dark brown spots on the leaves of your Monstera.
Generally speaking, we want to water plants in little amounts and often, and this is particularly true with Monsteras plants.
If you want them to be happy, you must ensure that there is enough drainage and that you do not provide them with far too much water in one go.
Root rot, which is very hazardous to your Monstera, may rapidly occur as a result of over watering. Browning leaves aren’t the only problem; the plant may become unstable and stop taking in nutrients as a result.
If this is not addressed immediately, it is possible that your Monstera plant will not be able to continue living. Check the soil as soon as possible and replace it fully if required if you suspect you’ve overwatered your Monstera.
The soil should be checked before watering your Monstera. Using your finger, dig into the top 2 inches of dirt to determine whether it’s wet or dry. Picking up your Monstera before and after watering is also a good idea.
Simply by giving your Monstera a lift, you should be able to get a sense of when they may want a little extra water. That said, unless your Monstera plant is no taller than 1/1.5 meters, we don’t encourage this method because of their tendency to get extremely hefty.
Investing in a moisture meter is highly recommended if you aren’t sure how to determine whether or not your Monstera needs watering.
Read More: why is my monstera turning brown
Underwatering: Light Brown Crispy Edges On Monstera Leaves
If you find your Monstera growing brownish spots or dried crispy edges on the leaves, you may be overwatering it.
As much as Monsteras despise standing in water, they also dislike their soil running dry over an extremely long time.
Again, the simplest method to know is to use a moisture meter to monitor the moisture in the soil and adjust your watering plan appropriately.
Excessive exposure to direct sunlight
If your Monstera’s leaves are becoming brown, it’s possible that your plant is receiving quite so much direct light. This might cause the foliage to burn, and they would not be able to recover from the damage they have sustained.
Indirect light is preferable than direct light for Monsteras. If your Monstera gets too much light from a south-facing window, consider switching it to a different one.
You should also be extra cautious in the summer, when the sun is more intense and visible for a greater portion of the day. To prevent leaf burn, it is preferable to move your Monstera a few feet away from the window throughout the summer months.
There are light meters available that may help you figure out how much light your Monstera is receiving throughout the day. Perhaps your Monstera gets too much sunshine in the morning or too little shade in the afternoon, which might be the problem.
Air Too Dry – Brown Edges On Monstera Leaves
As monsteras are native to tropical jungles, they require a moist habitat. Your home’s air may be too dry for your Monstera plants if you see browning on the edges of their leaves.
In order to maintain the humidity level of your Monstera at or above the usual level, you may use a misting bottle, a tray of water and some stones, or just leave your Monstera in the bathroom with the hot water running for five minutes.
A humidifier is the greatest approach to continuously raise the humidity for your plant. They contribute to the rise in water vapour in the air surrounding your plants, which results in a large number of happy and healthy plants that keep the dry leaves at bay.
If you’re very worried, you may want to invest in a humidity meter. If you have an air conditioning unit nearby, be sure to relocate your Monstera away from it!
Nutrient Deficiency
A lack of nutrition is a less visible reason of browning leaves on your monstera. If you haven’t replanted your monstera in fresh soil in the last year or two, it’s time to add some rich potting mix or compost to the existing pot soil.
During the growth seasons (spring and summer), it’s also a good idea to feed your plant every few months to ensure that it’s receiving enough nutrients to thrive.
Nutrients are released over time from fertiliser spikes or a liquid fertilizer that has been diluted with water.
Conclusion
Why Are My Monstera Leaves Turning Brown?
Your Monstera’s leaves might be becoming brown for one of the above causes.
Once a leaf begins to turn brown, sometimes there’s no turning back, therefore we suggest clipping the dark sections of the leaf or removing the whole leaf if the entire leaf has become brown.
A healthy Monstera may be restored to full health if you discover the issue early and treat it accordingly!!
Photo by Malte Michels on Unsplash
