Every houseplant lover needs at least one Monstera in their collection. These leafy plants are beloved for their interesting foliage, even if they can be slightly fussy when growing indoors.
Monstera leaves turn yellow for many reasons, making the problem difficult to diagnose. The main issue is usually overwatering, followed by overfertilizing or lack of light. The inverse of these can also lead to yellowing, requiring analysis of your previous plant care to resolve the issue. Shock from recent repotting can also lead to yellowing, or it may simply be the result of old age and no cause for concern.
Read on to learn the five most common reasons for yellowing leaves on Monstera plants.
1. Incorrect watering
When your Monstera plant’s leaves start turning yellow suddenly, you’ve likely got a watering problem on your hands.
The most common issue with Monsteras is overwatering. Although these plants like consistently moist soil, the hemiepiphytic roots are highly susceptible to root rot when the soil is excessively moist. This can occur when you water when the top layer of soil is still moist, or when the pot or soil lacks drainage.
Hold off on watering your Monstera plant for a while to allow the soil to dry out a bit before watering again. If the problem is not resolved, repot your plant, trim the roots, and plant in fresh soil. Make sure to only water again when the top two inches of soil have dried out and provide plenty of drainage to prevent overwatering in the future.
Although less likely, underwatering can also cause leaves to yellow. When a Monstera plant lacks moisture, it becomes stressed, causing the leaves to droop and yellow. You are more likely to see the edges of the leaves turning brown first, with slight yellowing surrounding the brown patches.
The fix for underwatering is the same. Water as soon as the top layer of soil has dried out. Don’t wait until all the soil has dried out completely as this is likely to cause stress and impact growth.
2. Incorrect fertilizing
Nutrients play a large role in the correct functioning and growth of your Monstera plant. When they have too few nutrients, or are potentially given too many nutrients at one time, you may encounter some yellowing on the leaves.
If you’ve kept your Monstera in the same pot for years on end without repotting or fertilizing, lack of nutrients may be the cause. Yellowing related to nutrient problems is usually patchy, with discoloration of different intensities around the leaves rather than yellowing all at once.
As there are a few nutrient deficiencies that can cause yellowing – from the macronutrient nitrogen to the micronutrient boron – apply a general balanced houseplant fertilizer to resolve the problem. Liquid fertilizers are recommended for the quickest absorption.
On the other hand, if your Monstera has recently been fertilized and begins to yellow, you’ve likely added more fertilizer than needed. Overfertilizing results in a build-up of salts in the soil that effectively burns the roots and the leaves, causing almost instant damage.
Flush the soil with filtered water until it runs clear to remove as much of the excess fertilizer as possible. Avoid fertilizing for a couple of months to allow the plant to recover. To prevent overfertilizing, never add more than the amount recommended on the packaging.
3. Incorrect light levels
Monstera plants grow best when given bright indirect light indoors. This best matches the dappled light they receive in their native habitats. When the light levels are excessively low or too high, you may notice some yellowing.
Monsteras in low light are likely to begin yellowing over time, eventually slowing growth or stopping altogether. The color change is often linked to overwatering too, as evaporation is far lower in low-light areas. Yellowing will normally start with older leaves, spreading to others if the plant is not moved.
Intense direct sunlight or even a too-strong plant light can also lead to yellowing. The leaves closest to the light source will develop brown, crispy patches, often surrounded by a ring of yellow. As the leaves prefer shady areas, they can burn when placed in direct sun for long periods. Keep your plant lights more than 1-2 feet away from the foliage (especially if the light is new to the plants).
Move your Monstera to a more suitable position, introducing it to new lighting conditions slowly to avoid shock.
4. Incorrect repotting
Repotting is an important part of indoor plant care. But, getting it wrong can lead to several problems in your Monsteras, including yellowing leaves.
If your Monstera has not been repotted in a while, you may notice roots growing through the base of the pot or above the soil line. The plant will begin to wilt and leaves will start due yellow due to lack of water and nutrients.
Repotting incorrectly can also lead to yellowing leaves. The process is quite traumatic for plants that are not fans of change, appreciating consistent environments. The stress of repotting may cause the leaves to yellow for a couple of weeks, but the plant will eventually adjust to its new pot and recover from shock, returning to normal.
Limit your chances of shock by repotting quickly, using a similar soil mix, watering immediately afterward, and placing your plant back in the same spot it was in previously.
5. Natural aging
Not all yellowing in Monstera plants is cause for concern. Sometimes, it’s simply part of the plant’s natural lifecycle and a result of old age. If the yellowing leaves are older and only one or two have changed color, there is no need to worry. Allow them to die off naturally or trim them with pruning shears to improve the overall look of your Monstera plant.
