Why is my Monstera turning yellow? The 5 reasons your plant may be taking a turn for the worse
Monstera leaves can begin yellowing for several reasons which is why we asked horticulture experts what they are and how to avoid them
Left wondering 'why are my monstera leaves turning yellow?' Even when we think we've covered all bases in caring for our plants, their leaves can hint at the contrary.
Seasoned plant parent or not, everyone makes the most common houseplant mistakes from time to time. It can be a matter of forgetting to water your monstera once and the next day you have to watch in horror as the yellow creeps up its leaves and stalks, a similar horror story to that of monstera tips turning brown.
Why is my Monstera turning yellow?
If found yourself wondering why your peace lily leaves are turning yellow then you might be well equipped to deal with the same issues on your monstera plant. Similar to the peace lily there are several reasons why your monstera might be struggling, from too much sunlight exposure to a lack of nutrients.
Here are all the possible problems that could be causing your plant distress according to the experts...
1. Incorrect watering
Whether it's one of the easiest houseplants to care for or one of the hardest houseplants to keep alive, one of the most common errors that everyone makes is messing up our watering schedule. Whether you forget to water your plants or get a little bit carried away and overwater your monstera leaves will soon turn yellow either way.
"This is the most common reason that a plant would turn yellow, as people can get stuck in a set routine of watering their plants, rather than adapting the watering to the needs of the plant," says Keira Kay, Bloom & Wild plant expert.
She explains that the plant can essentially suffocate, which will stop delivering nutrients and water to the rest of the plant, which will, of course, quickly affect the leaf health and lead to them dying off.
Keira says, "In the growth season fast growing plants will use up water quickly, so ensure you are regularly checking the plant's soil to determine if it needs a top-up."
2. Incorrect location
Knowing where to place your monstera is just as important as knowing how to clean plant leaves; the placement of your plant in any room can determine whether it thrives or not.
Speaking to the brand manager at Prestige Flowers, Millie Durbak, she says, "If your monstera plant is turning yellow, it could be due to exposure to direct sunlight or even from a lack of sufficient airflow around the plant."
Making sure there is proper ventilation in the room will prevent stagnant air around the monstera, which will promote optimal growth conditions. As well as airflow, be careful where you're placing the monstera within a room, as direct sunlight can also be the root cause of yellowing.
3. Pests
It's one thing knowing how to get rid of flies in your house and another knowing how to find pests crawling and eating away at your houseplants. Several types of pests could be taking over your monstera plant, all of which can be the cause of yellowing leaves.
Gnats and spider mites are common houseplant pests, both of which will feed on your monstera and suck the moisture from its leaves and stems. We recommend treating this issue with the regular use of neem oil and ensuring the soil is checked every time you water the plant.
4. Lack of drainage
Similar to why your peace lily tips may turn brown, there is much to be found in the roots of your plant. Whether the roots of your plants are waterlogged, rotted or completely dried out, your leaves are a great indicator of trouble underneath.
Millie says, "If you're using a decorative container without drainage holes, excess water can accumulate, leading to waterlogged soil. Opt for a container with drainage holes or add a layer of gravel at the bottom to facilitate proper drainage and avoid waterlogged conditions."
5. Natural ageing
As one of the best indoor plants for your health and well-being, monstera are a welcome long-term addition to any plant collection. Whilst they do require maintenance and care, they're considered to be quite a durable, long-lasting plant, which means that they are susceptible to natural ageing. This can show in many ways, one being yellowing leaves, which will tend to happen to the older leaves closer to the plant's base.
FAQ
How do you fix yellow leaves on a monstera?
Depending on why your leaves are yellowing in the first place, there are various steps you can take to stop further yellowing; however, once a leaf has yellowed, there is unfortunately no way to bring it back to its former green self.
How to prevent monstera leaves yellowing?
When it comes to prevention, it's as simple as knowing how to care for your plants. To ensure that no yellowing takes place, then providing the plant with all the conditions that it needs to thrive is the best way, specifically keeping on top of its weekly maintenance.
As mentioned above, knowing why the leaves are turning yellow in the first place will be crucial in preventing it from happening at all. Whether that means ensuring it's properly watered, it has sufficient sunlight or has been successfully treated for pests.
Should I cut yellow leaves off my Monstera?
When a lower leaf has turned as the plant ages, Fiona says it's safe to cut these off as soon as more than half of the leaf has yellowed. Steve recommends cutting off yellow leaves, but you must do so from the base of the stem.
To cut a yellow leaf, we recommend using a clean pair of sharp shears and cutting as close to the bottom of the stem as possible. We've found a great pair of plant shears on Amazon for £5.99.
Although it's not quite as demanding as knowing how to care for an orchid, monstera leaves are sensitive to a lack of care and will show you the moment they begin to struggle.
The key to maintaining a happy and healthy monstera is keeping on top of its care routine, whilst always ensuring it has everything it needs to thrive.
