Why Is My Monstera Turning Brown?

You are probably asking ‘Why Is My Monstera Turning Brown?’ and you’re wondering what to do. You’ve tried everything. Your heart aches for your precious plant. Panic isn’t the answer- help is!

In this article, I’ll show you how to bring back that beautiful shade of green and keep your Monstera healthy and happy.

Why Is My Monstera Turning Brown?

The major causes of Monstera leaves becoming brown include rotting roots caused by over-watering, excessively dry room air, a cold draft, and extended desiccation of the soil.

Root rot as a result of overwatering

A severe issue for plants is the development of rotting roots. The leaves will eventually turn brown and drop off if the root system is unable to provide them with water.

Root rot may be caused by overwatering. Root rot occurs as a result of a lack of oxygen in the cells caused by the roots being submerged in water on a regular basis.

When compared to other plants, Monstera is very sensitive to overwatering. To put it another way, in nature, these roots develop in the topsoil, which is seldom moist for an extended period of time.

Despite the fact that Monstera requires a lot of water, it is preferable to let the soil dry out between waterings.

Symptoms:

Leaves become brown or yellow, particularly the lower leaves.

The roots are soggy and smell awful.
The pot’s soil is overly moist.
Monstera nearly never grows.

Chlorosis might be forming

Solution:

Remove any leaves that have turned brown.
Pull the roots gently out of the pot and thoroughly check them.

Clean and wash away any dirt if the roots are decaying.

Remove all of the decaying tissue using a sterile and sharp tool.
Hydrogen peroxide may be used to clean wounds. Dilution of hydrogen peroxide to 10:1 is required.

Allow the Monstera to dry out for several hours in a dry, dark location before moving it.
Plant it in a sterile, dry soil for aroids after that. Drainage holes should be big enough to allow water to flow out of the pot.
After you’ve planted your Monstera, wait 7-10 days before watering it.

The soil should be about 3/4 dry between waterings.

Browning of monstera leaves due to dry soil

That Monstera is tolerant to dry soil is not unexpected given that it grows on tree trunks in its original environment. The monstera’s roots may sometimes reach the ground’s surface and draw water from it.

In spite of this, Monstera isn’t a cactus and hence can’t store a lot of water in its tissue. As a result, the root ball might become dehydrated if over-dried over an extended period of time.

The plant will next attempt to minimize its evaporation surface area by contorting its leaves. After that, the leaves will start to brown and eventually fall off.

Symptoms:

The browning of leaves begins towards the edges. Leaf plate deformation is another possible sign.

As time goes on, the leaves eventually shrink to nothing.
The pot’s soil is completely dry. More than two weeks have passed since the last time the plants had water.

Solution:

Leaves with tissue damage of more than 50% should be removed.

Give your Monstera a good soaking. Drainage holes should allow water to exit.
Water again in a few minutes. This is important to let the soil soak in.
Continue watering until the soil in the pot is between 70 and 80 % dry. However, do not allow it to totally dry.

Dry air

Dry air is a typical issue with indoor cultivation. Because of this, not all plants can be cultivated indoors.

Monstera is regarded as a plant that can withstand a normal level of humidity in a space. However, if the air is excessively dry, the plant might develop brown spots.

This is due to the fact that Monstera evaporates water via the stomata, some of which moistens the leaf surface. The leaf surface may dry out if the environment is too dry.

Although the soil may be sufficiently wet, your Monstera plant will be unable to evaporate the quantity of moisture required to saturate the leaf surface at the correct pace.

Symptoms:

Brown, dried patches appear on the leaves. The quantity and size of the patches are determined by the amount of moisture in the air.

It is either very dry in the room, or the Monstera has been put next to a heater.
Leaves may curl and crisp at the tips.

Solution:

Near your Monstera, fill a pebble tray halfway with water.

Remove your Monstera from the area where the heaters are located and keep it there.
Maintain a 55-65 % relative humidity around your Monstera with a humidifier.
Create a humid microclimate by placing all of your plants close together.

Cold draft

Due to the tropical nature of Monstera, it can only be cultivated in warm areas or indoors. Leaves may be damaged and become brown if the temperature drops drastically.

The severity and duration of the cold will determine the extent of the damage.

Monstera is susceptible to low temperatures in two ways. A chilly draft is one of the first signs that something is amiss in a space.

The second instance occurs when your Monstera is situated near an air conditioner. Even a quick burst of chilly air may generate brown patches on the leaves.

Symptoms:

The leaves get brown patches.
The room is becoming colder and colder.

Heating and air-conditioning equipment are near the plant.
If the leaves are significantly harmed, they will perish.

Solution:

Remove any leaves which are more than half brown.

Place Monstera in a place in which the temperature does not fall below 65°F (18°C) or rise over 90°F (32°C).
Keep Monstera away from refrigerators and air conditioners.
Make sure your house isn’t exposed to any chilly drafts.

There is too much light.

Monstera, as previously said, clings to the stem of a tree and climbs upward. The whole life of this plant is spent under the shade of trees.

The thick canopy of tropical woods blocks the sun’s rays from penetrating.

Monstera may acquire brown burns if left in the sun over long periods of time. Leaf damage is irreversible yet photosynthesizes regardless of the extent of the damage.

When you grow your Monstera in a south-facing room, direct sunlight is the most common problem. As well as during the summer months, when this plant is moved outdoors.

Symptoms:

A straight ray of sunshine falls on Monstera every day.
The leaves are covered with large dark spots.

Leaves that have been severely damaged become crunchy and perish.

Solution:

Remove any leaves that have been severely damaged.
Move your Monstera to a window facing east or west.

When growing in a southern area, bring your Monstera closer to the center of the room. A minimum of five feet should separate your Monstera from the window.
Additional light may be required if growing your Monstera in a northern room.

Fungal damage

There are several diseases that may affect Monstera, but root rot is the most widespread. At the beginning of this article, I explained the symptoms of this condition and how to treat it.

Leaf diseases caused by fungi are next on the list. The leaves are frequently covered in many little brown patches as a result of their presence. The leaf may drop off completely if the infection is bad enough. In most cases, disease outbreaks are the consequence of insufficient ventilation or illumination.

Monstera leaves may also be impacted by rot at times. When plants are misted too often or are kept in a bathroom, this might happen. The majority of the leaf will turn brown in this situation.

Symptoms:

The number of little brown spots on the leaves rises.

A portion of the leaf will become brown, and the leaf will eventually die.
Mold traces may be detected on the leaves.

Solution:

Ensure that the area where your Monstera grows is adequately aired.

Instead of misting the leaves, use a humidifier.
The Monstera should not be overwatered.
Remove any leaves that have been seriously damaged.

Apply fungicide to the leaves.

Transplantation shock

Transplanting your Monstera may result in transplant shock, causing the leaves to become brown.

Improper transplanting is the most common cause of transplant shock, however even modest changes in growth circumstances may stress the plant.

Transplant shock may occur if the roots are injured during the transplanting process or if the transplant is performed in the winter. Also, the heat of the summer is bad for Monstera when it comes to transplanting.

Symptoms:

After moving Monstera to a new pot or soil, its leaves become brown.
Moving the plant to a new site.

During the transplanting process, the roots are harmed.

Solution:

Remove any severely damaged leaves.
To get the most shade, place your Monstera as far away from the window as feasible. A month later, bring the plant back in.