Bring your Monstera back to life by fixing those brown spots with our all-inclusive guide!
Monstera plants are loved for their large tropical leaves. But those gorgeous green leaves can suddenly develop unsightly brown spots sending any plant parent into a panic. What causes these brown blemishes, and how can you restore your monstera to its unspotted glory? Read on to learn the reasons for brown spots on monstera leaves and effective solutions to treat them.
What Causes Brown Spots on Monstera Leaves?
There are several potential culprits that can lead to brown spots marring those pretty monstera leaves. Here are some of the most common causes:
Overexposure to Direct Sunlight
Monsteras prefer bright, indirect light rather than direct sunbeams. Too much intense sunlight can scorch the leaves, leaving sunburn lesions in the form of brown spots. These spots often appear on the side of the leaf facing the light source. Filter the light or move your monstera to a shadier spot
Improper Watering
Inconsistent watering is one of the most frequent triggers of brown spots. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause leaf browning Overwatering leads to soggy soil, potential root rot, and leaves dropping. Underwatering causes leaves to dry out and crisp up. Stick to a consistent watering schedule based on your monstera’s needs.
Low Humidity
Monsteras hail from tropical jungles, so they crave high humidity. In drier indoor air, the leaf edges and tips can brown without enough moisture in the air. Boost humidity through pebble trays, misting, or a humidifier.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of key nutrients like nitrogen leads to yellowing leaves with dried brown spots. Fertilize regularly in the growing season and repot in fresh soil to provide nutrients.
Pests
Spider mites, thrips, and other pesky bugs feast on monstera leaves, leaving behind brown damage. Isolate and treat infested plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove badly infested leaves to eliminate pests.
Diseases
Bacterial and fungal diseases like leaf spot can also cause brown patches on monstera leaves. Prune off infected leaves and treat with a copper fungicide. Improve air circulation around plants.
Cold Damage
Chilly temperatures or cold drafts can damage tropical monsteras. Move plants away from drafty windows, doors, and air vents. Avoid temps below 50°F.
How to Treat Brown Spots on Monstera Leaves
Once you’ve diagnosed what is causing the spots, you can take action to nurse your monstera back to health. Here are some tips:
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Move your monstera to a spot with bright, indirect light if sunburned. Filter harsh sunlight with sheer curtains.
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Improve your watering habits by watering only when the top few inches of soil are dry. Ensure the entire root zone gets hydrated.
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Increase humidity through pebble trays, misting, or a humidifier if the air is dry.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
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Inspect for pests like spider mites under leaves and treat any infestations promptly with insecticidal soap.
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Prune off badly infected leaves and dispose of them (don’t compost). Treat fungal diseases quickly with fungicides.
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Keep monstera away from drafty areas and maintain indoor temperatures above 50°F.
How to Prevent Brown Spots
Take these preventive measures to keep those monstera leaves looking pristine:
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Situate your monstera in a spot with bright, indirect light to avoid sun scorching.
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Water thoroughly only when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Check soil moisture with a finger.
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Mist leaves, use pebble trays, and run a humidifier to keep humidity above 50%.
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Fertilize every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Scout for pests like spider mites frequently. Quarantine and treat any infestations before they spread.
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Prune off any leaves with fungal spots. Improve air flow and water in the morning.
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Keep monstera away from cold windows, AC vents, and drafts.
What to Do If Spots Have Taken Over the Leaves
If many leaves are heavily affected by spots:
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Prune back badly damaged leaves to improve the plant’s appearance and health.
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Evaluate your care regimen and make adjustments to correct any issues damaging the leaves.
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Propagate your monstera by taking cuttings from healthy parts of the plant before spots take over.
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As a last resort if the plant declines severely, take cuttings and start over with a fresh young plant.
While brown spots can be alarming, they are common and treatable. With some detective work and a few adjustments to care, your beloved monstera’s leaves will be back to their unblemished beauty in no time!
Testing the Soil
Before you start throwing fertilizers at your plant, its a good idea to test the soil. This will give you a clearer picture of what nutrients are lacking. Its like checking your teenagers grades before getting them a tutor.
Maintaining Optimal Conditions
Monstera plants are like Goldilocks, they need conditions to be just right. Not too much sun, not too little, but the perfect amount of indirect sunlight. And remember, overwatering is a big no-no. These plants prefer their soil to be consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
7 Reasons Why Your Monstera Has Brown Spots | Leaf Town
FAQ
How do I get rid of brown spots on my Monstera plant?
- Avoid direct sunlight and overwatering to prevent brown spots on Monstera leaves.
- Address nutrient deficiencies with the right fertilizer and regular soil testing.
- Manage pests and maintain optimal conditions for a spot-free Monstera.
How to treat browning leaves in Monstera?
Giving the plant a very thorough watering every month or so (in between shallower waterings) will help to flush out built up minerals, which, if never flushed …
Should I cut off Monstera leaves with brown spots after?
Cut them off if you find them unsightly – actually, cutting them off will have double benefit of getting rid of any potential thrips eggs that were injected into that leaf. Monstera deliciosa is a great long-term plant – you can get past the thrips!
What does an overwatered Monstera look like?
- Yellowing Leaves: Leaves turning yellow, especially starting from the edges, is a common sign of overwatering, says Monstera Plant Resource.
- Dark Brown Spots: Dark brown spots on the leaves can indicate root rot, a consequence of overwatering.
- Mushy or Soft Stems: If the stems feel mushy or soft, it’s a strong indication of overwatering.
- Moldy Soil: Mold growing on the soil surface suggests the soil is staying too wet.
- Root Rot: Overwatering can lead to root rot, which manifests as black, mushy, and foul-smelling roots, says MonsteraX.
- Foul Odor: An unpleasant smell from the soil is another sign of root rot.
- Heavy Pot: The pot might feel unusually heavy due to water-logged soil, says Philodendron Talk.
Why are my Monstera leaves turning brown?
1. Underwatering Underwatering can cause your Monstera’s leaves to develop brown spots. When not provided with enough water, your plant’s cells may become damaged, leading to these unsightly spots. To prevent underwatering, monitor the soil moisture, and ensure it is consistently moist but not overly wet.
What should I do if my Monstera leaves turn brown?
You may also wish to prune any affected leaves. Brown spots on your Monstera plants need attention right away. Although you can’t fix a leaf once it has turned brown, you can take steps to prevent the problem from spreading to the other leaves on your Monstera plant. How you do this depends on the cause of the brown spots on your Monstera plant.
Do Monstera leaves have brown spots?
Brown spots on Monstera leaves can be alarming, but with these simple fixes, your plant can bounce back quickly. By adjusting watering habits, improving drainage, increasing humidity, and checking for pests, you can keep your Monstera lush and thriving.
Why does my Monstera have brown spots?
This is especially applicable if the cause of brown spots is due to diseases and pests. Removing infected leaves will help mitigate the spread of infection. Don’t worry because your monstera will surely grow new ones. Getting rid of the infected parts as soon as possible is better than risking the entire plant of heavier infection.
How to get rid of brown spots on Monstera?
Be careful to kill and dispose of them immediately. This is especially applicable if the cause of brown spots is due to diseases and pests. Removing infected leaves will help mitigate the spread of infection. Don’t worry because your monstera will surely grow new ones.
What causes black spots on a Monstera plant?
This excess moisture leads to fungal growth that can begin to attack the roots – a condition known as root rot. This can cause brown or black spots to develop on the leaves and stems as the rot spreads throughout the plant. However, root rot in monsteras is not only caused by overwatering.