Monsteras are one of the most popular houseplants for both beginners and more advanced plant parents, but can cause some trouble for both.
Below are some of the most common problems with a monstera deliciosa and how to fix them.
monstera deliciosa brown tips
It is incredibly common for monstera deliciosa to experience brown tips on the end of their leaves, this does not mean that you are doing anything wrong. However if you are looking to get rid or prevent these from staining your green thumb reputation here are some common causes and solutions:
Using tap water
I live in an incredibly hard water environment meaning that it has a high mineral content and whilst this seems like it would be a great thing for your plants it can leave them with brown tips and yellowing leaves due to added chemicals in the water such as chlorine but fluorine is the main plant killer here.
The easiest solution here is to use rainwater to water your houseplants which is both more nutritious for the plants and a more environmentally friendly alternative.
using purified water
Using distilled or deionised water will help prevent chlorosis and fluorine build up in your houseplant’s leaves as it does not contain any impurities.
dechlorinating water
fill up a bowl or watering can with tap water and leave it to sit for a day or two. This will allow the impurities to dissipate into the air leaving behind a pure/purer water that is safer for your houseplants.
yellowing leaves
yellowing leaves is typically an issue to do with watering. Now I know that while most people like to water on a schedule, a weekly schedule for example this may be detrimental to your plants.
One way to tell if your monstera’s issue is overwatering or underwatering is to look at your water schedule.
If your monstera has a pot size of only a few inches then it will need watering more often than one a week whereas if your pot size is over 9 inches in diameter then it will need watering less often.
If this solution doesn’t tell you clearly if it is under or over watering then a good way to tell your monstera needs watering is to use a chopstick and poke it into the top few inches of the soil. If it comes out wet then your monstera doesn’t need watering whereas if it comes out dry then your monstera is ready to be watered.
If you are already using the chopstick method or are using a water metre then it might be time for your monstera to be repotted!!
To repot your monstera try using a mixture of regular potting soil, perlite and orchid bark. The orchid bark will replicate the natural soils that the monstera is native to, making the soil more acidic like it is in south america.
not putting out new leaves
Depending on where in the world you live seasonal changes may be leading to your monstera not getting enough light in winter. This should be solved either by moving your plant for winter to a sunnier spot or by letting it remain dormant for the winter, and it should be ready to start growing again in spring.
This could also be caused by lack of nutrients. The easiest way to fix this is by fertilising little and often, supplementing the soils nutrients with a more nutrient rich water source.
It is perfectly normal for the oldest leaves to become yellow and fall off over time as the monstera puts more energy into new and larger growth so this should not be a great concern.
Improper watering
Improper watering (either under or over watering) can make the plant stressed and lead to the roots dying off. This can be solved by bottom watering regularly preventing the soil from becoming too saturated but allowing your monstera to take up as much water as it needs.
Improper soil
A good soil mixture can make all the difference when it comes to houseplants. Monsteras prefer slightly acidic well draining airy soil. This can be achieved by mixing regular potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
Using just plain potting soil often results in root rot in monsteras as they hold onto moisture for far longer, not allowing the roots to breathe, and often causing the owner to accidentally overwater them.
New leaves are coming out smaller and with less fenestrations
This can be a low light issue but is more likely your monstera asking for something to climb. This can be a moss pole, bamboo rod, trellis or just a wooden stake but in the natural world monsteras love to climb and so in doing this your monstera will thank you with bigger and more fenestrated leaves!!
0 Comments