Why Are My Monstera Deliciosa's Leaves Yellowing?
The foliage of the Monstera Deliciosa is its crowning glory! Playful, sculptural and vibrant, its leaves grow in abundance, creating beautiful silhouettes and adorning your space with dimensionality and deep, emerald hues. So we know how upsetting it is when your Monstera’s leaves take a hit and begin to show troubling yellow tones. It’s the most common ailment for Monsteras, and it’s an easy fix! Read on to get your plant’s luscious split leaves back on track.
Underwatering
Far and away, the most common cause of yellowing Monstera foliage is overwatering. It can be so tempting to water your Monstera frequently (i.e. multiple times a week) because we all love to commune with our plant friends, but this is not what your plant usually wants. Monsteras should be watered only when their topsoil is fully dry to the touch. You can probe its topsoil weekly, by lifting a portion of its decorative moss and pushing your finger two inches down into its soil. If those two inches are dry, you can give the Monstera a good drink- but if they are still dry, hold off.
If you find that your plant’s soil is very soggy and wet, and has been for a week or more, you can lift it out of its ceramic pot while keeping it inside its interior plastic nursery pot. Check its overall moisture. If it is very wet, keep it outside of the ceramic pot until the moisture has dried entirely before watering again and returning it to its ceramic pot.
Environmental Dryness
The yellowing caused by environmental dryness looks different than the yellowing caused by overwatering. It causes browning at the edges of the leaves, which gradually merges into a central, yellowing leaf. The brown edges are a very good indicator of dryness. If you notice these signs, incorporate misting the Monstera a few times a week into your plant care routine, either with plain water, or with water boosted with Potion Magique.
Insects
Spider mites can cause yellowing, unhealthy foliage, though this is one of the less common ailments that Monsteras face. Spider mites can be eradicated by hosing off your plant or placing it under your shower head while it’s running, to remove any mites clinging to its foliage, and then applying an insecticide.
Extra Support
If your Monstera Deliciosa continues to experience yellowing foliage after receiving appropriate care, it may very well be that the yellowing is just a result of the natural, occasional yellowing and leaf shedding that all living plants experience. But our Plant Doctor service can also help to diagnose the issue and get your plant back on track. Reach out to the Plant Doctor via your Léon & George account, and you can expect a helpful response within two to three business days.
Monstera Deliciosa
A fabulous statement plant with sculptural, swiss-cheese foliage and a low-maintenance disposition! The Monstera Deliciosa is an ideal easy-care plant for a joyful, textural space.