How To Tell If Monstera Is Dying? Signs And Symptoms

Monstera Deliciosa is a close relative of the tropical vine Monstera. The heart-shaped green leaves of Monstera give it a unique and catchy look. The plant looks great both outdoor and indoors and people use the plant to enhance the beauty of their interior.

One of the best things about the Monstera Deliciosa plant is that it does not require much time and effort. If the condition is suitable, the houseplant can thrive spontaneously. However, even though Monstera Deliciosa is a low-maintenance houseplant, it requires basic conditions and proper care to live healthy inside a house.

Although Monstera Deliciosa is a hardy plant, some factors can lead to its death. If the condition is unfavourable, your Monstera will find it difficult to survive. And as a plant parent, it will be very painful to see your Monstera dying in front of your eyes.

However, houseplants like Monstera Deliciosa show some visual signs prior to their death. As a plant parent, you need to identify those signs and take measures if necessary. If you are a new plant parent who has not dealt with such issues before, then you should go through this article.

Here, we will discuss how to tell if a Monstera Deliciosa plant is dying. We will help you identify the signs and symptoms so that you can give your beloved plant a new lease of life.

TL; DR

Yellow and brown leaves, spotty foliage, drooping leaves, white stem, brown roots, slow or no growth, and curling leaves are some of the major signs you need to look out for. Improper watering schedule, inadequate light, over or under-fertilization, pest infestation, etc. are some of the reasons for which you Monstera can die in no time. 

Signs and Symptoms Your Monstera is Dying 

As a plant parent, you should be watchful for some signs and symptoms. This may help you save your Monstera from dying. However, it is quite easy to spot the signs indicating your Monstera is struggling for survival.

Since the foliage is the most visible part of the plant you do not have to look elsewhere to find the signs of damage. You can easily spot the symptoms through the leaves of your Monstera. Your beloved Monstera will give visible signals when they are dealing with serious health issues.

Several reasons can cause the damage; it can be improper watering practices, over-fertilization, insufficient light, unfavorable cultural conditions, and many others. In this part of the article, we will focus on the all major signs that tell your Monstera is dying.

1. Yellow And Brown Leaves 

Yellow and brown leaves are a clear sign of internal issues and if the problem is not fixed immediately, your Monstera can die slowly. Some cultural issues like low light are responsible for such conditions. Conditions like imbalanced soil moisture and inadequate light are directly linked to yellow and brown leaf symptoms.

Imbalanced soil moisture is usually caused by overwatering. Overwatering leads to conditions like drowning soil and roots. In such a condition, the roots do not get enough space to breathe.

Lack of water can also cause yellow and brown leaf issues. If you do not water your plant, it will get dehydrated and die subsequently. If your Monstera has become extremely dry, it will react with yellow and brown leaves.

Inadequate light is another reason behind the yellow and brown leaves problem. If the soil of your Monstera plant remains soggy for a long period, it struggles to supply the much-needed nutrients to the plant causing issues like yellow and brown foliages.

Heavy mixing is another cause of yellow and brown leaves. Heavy soil finds it tough to circulate the air and water accurately. In such a condition, the roots of the plant cannot access enough air and water it needs to live healthily. The condition is also perfect for root rot and bacterial growth.

2. Spots On The Foliage

Yellow, black or brown spots on the leaves of your Monstera are a symptom of internal issues. It is a clear indication that your plant is sick and needs immediate treatment.

Heat, dryness, over misting, and root rot are some of the major reasons behind this problem. If you place the plant under direct sunlight for a long period, you will burn its leaves resulting in spotty leaves. Underwatering can cause dryness and brown spots on the leaves. If you do not water the plant for too long, leaves will become dry and develop spots.

Wet leaves can also cause the spotty leaves problem. Frequent misting is not good practice, as this can keep the leaves always wet. Wet leaves can also lead to fungal diseases, which is a major reason behind the spotty leaves problem.

Stressed and overwatered roots can also result in spotty leaves. If the condition remains unchecked for a long period, the roots of your Monstera become weak and struggle to supply nutrients to the other parts of your Monstera plant. The condition may lead to brown and black spots on the leaves.

2. Leaves Drooping 

Drooping leaves are the initial symptoms of damage and the best part is that you can fix it easily.       Improper watering practices, low temperature, and inadequate light are the major causes behind the drooping leaves problem in Monstera Deliciosa plants.

If you overwater your Monstera, you will leave the soil damp all the time. Conversely, underwatering can make the soil and roots dry. In such a condition, the plant gets dehydrated and reacts negatively to drooping leaves.

Inadequate light is another possible reason behind drooping leaves. The lack of adequate light makes it difficult for the plant to photosynthesize accurately. It restricts the plant from performing important tasks.

Inadequate light results in issues like drooping leaves. Low temperature is another culprit to watch out for. Under low temperature, leaf cells of Monstera break down, resulting in drooping leaves.

Read: How Much Light Does A Monstera Plant Need?

3. White Stem

If you see that the stem of your Monstera plant is turning white, you must get ready to fix the issue immediately. White stem in the symptoms of fungal and bacteria infestation and it can kill the entire plant if not checked on time.

Fungal mycelia are considered to be the main culprit behind this white stem problem. Fungal mycelia live in the soil and grow rapidly if the condition is suitable for it. Over-water, poor light, low temperature, etc. are some of the factors that encourage funguses to multiply rapidly.

4. Brown Roots 

Although the leaves of a Monstera Deliciosa plant are the most visible part of the plant, we sometimes need to check its other parts too. Brown roots are one of the signs of damage and you should be careful about them. Overwatering is the major reason behind this problem.

At the initial stage, the leaves will tell nothing about the internal damage, but if the condition remained unchecked for a long, you may encounter signs like yellow and brown leaves. In general, the roots of a Monstera Deliciosa plant are white, but if you find them turning brown and mushy, you must consider it a sign of danger.

Poor drainage can also make roots brown. If the roots of your Monstera sit in a pool of water for a long time, root rot is inevitable. Poor or ineffective drainage facilities can stop water from flowing out of the pot and force the roots to sit in a pool of water.

Inadequate light is another possible reason behind the brown root problem. Although a Monstera Deliciosa plant can live in low-light conditions, overwatering practices can make the situation worst for it. Under low-light conditions, the water does not dry out quickly. In such a condition, frequent watering practices can damage the roots.

5. No New Leaves 

Monstera Deliciosa is not a slow-growing plant. When grown in excellent condition, it can grow up to 3 feet in a year. If your Monstera has stopped growing new leaves, it is a matter of concern for you.

Pest infestation is one of the major reasons behind the growth issue. Pests are tiny and can go unnoticed easily. They feed on the juice of several parts of the plant and can spread like fire in no time. Pests can make the stems and leaves weak and affect the overall health of your Monstera plant.

Inadequate light is another possible reason behind the growth issue. Inadequate light can disturb the natural processes like photosynthesis and make the plant struggle for nutrients. So, low light can restrict the natural growth of your Monstera Deliciosa plant.

Houseplants like Monstera Deliciosa require some basic nutrients to ensure steady growth. Hence, nutrient deficiency can halt the growth of your Monstera. Overgrown roots are another possible reason behind slow or no growth in Monstera plants. If the plant has become rootbound, it may refrain from growing new leaves.

If you are looking for signs of danger, you must be aware of the natural process of dormancy. During a dormant period, your Monstera goes into a sleeping state. Winter and autumn are the reasons when houseplants like Monstera Deliciosa go into dormancy.

6. Curling Leaves 

Houseplants like Monstera Deliciosa are mostly known for their flat heart-shaped radiant foliage. If you encounter that the leaves of your monstera plant are curling and becoming yellow, you should take it seriously.

Yellowing and curling leaves are the signs of distress and it is mostly caused by watering and nutrients-related issues. If the symptoms are ignored or unnoticed for a long period, you Monstera can die.

Underwatering is one of the primary reasons behind this problem. If your Monstera does not get enough water it needs to thrive, it becomes dehydrated. Underwatering can also make the soil bone dry. Lack of water forces the plant to restrict its photosynthesis process, resulting in curled and yellow leaves.

Overfeeding is another possible reason behind curling and yellowing leaves. Overfertilization can damage the plant from the inside. Excess nutrients can destroy the quality of the soil and make the plant struggle for growth. Curling and yellowing leaves are the initial signs of soil damage and if you do not take measures on time, it may kill your Monstera anytime soon.

How To Save Your Monstera From Dying?

As a plant parent, you would always want to see your Monstera in the best condition. Letting a beautiful plant such as Monstera Deliciosa die can be a nightmare for you. However, you do not have to spend thousands to save your Monstera from dying, as a little care can help your beloved plant grow healthy. Here are some simple but effective tips to help your Monstera revive.

1. Be Careful with Your Watering Schedule 

Water is the life-saving medicine for any plant and your Monstera is no exception. You can help your Monstera regain its health by adjusting your watering practices. However, before you apply loads of water, make sure the plant is suffering from underwatering.

Yellow and brown leaves are the basic signs of underwatering, but you can also check the moisture level of the soil before applying water to it. To help the plant regain its health you can soak the plant for up to 30 minutes in a bucket full of water. The soaking method can be an effective solution to apply especially when a Monstera is dying due to dehydration.

2. Adjust The Lighting 

You need to be careful about the lighting as Monstera plants do not like direct sunlight. It is better to place the plant in a place where it can access indirect sunlight. On the other hand, inadequate light can also kill your plant. You cannot place the plant in a darker corner to save it from the direct sun.

Place the plant in a room with sufficient light. Remember, your Monstera plant needs adequate light to perform natural physiological processes like photosynthesis. So, make sure that light is gentle and sufficient for the plant.

3. Check Fertilizer 

Both overfertilization and under fertilization can be dangerous for your Monstera plant. The availability of excess macro and micronutrients in the soil can harm the roots and the overall health of the plant. If your Monstera is dying due to overfertilization, you should take steps to fix the problem immediately.

To help your Monstera revive from this condition, you have to wash the soil under running water. Running water will wash all the excess salt and macronutrients out of the soil. If overfertilization is the real culprit, avoid fertilizing the plant for at least two months.

On the other hand, under fertilization can also cause several health issues and kill your Monstera consequently if ignored for a long period. A well-balanced fertilizer can be the best bet to help your Monstera regain its health. The 20:20:20 ratio is a perfect solution and you can fertilize your plant once a month for the best result.

Read: Do Monstera Plants Need Fertilizer? How Much And What Type To Use

4. Eliminate Pests

Like watering, lighting, and fertilization issues, pests can also be a real threat to your Monstera. Tiny pests will remain invisible until you take measures to find them out. Pests like tiny spiders and bugs extract juice from the stems and spread like fire.

Pest infestation is a serious issue and you have to come up with effective solutions to save your adorable Monstera from dying. Mealybugs and scales are some of the pests that can infect your Monstera to kill. Wilting and stunted growth are the primary symptoms of mealybugs infestation, which can subsequently kill your Monstera. Mealybugs are often found below the surface eating the roots. If you fail to stop them from eating the roots, your Monstera will die in no time.

If you encounter signs like yellow and withered leaves, you can hold scales responsible for this. You may also find issues like black fungus on the stem. To save your plant from dangerous pests, you can clean the leaves with mild soap water.

Soaking the entire plant in water can also work. Remember, dusty leaves are a perfect breeding ground for many pests. Hence, make sure the leaves are dust-free. To fix this, you can mist your Monstera once or twice a day. You can take multiple measures to save your plant from pests, but if the infestation is grave, it is better to separate the infected plant from other healthy plants and keep it outside.

Conclusion 

Monstera Deliciosa is a low-maintenance houseplant and you do not have to spend thousands to keep it healthy. However, small factors can result in serious issues and you have to be vigilant about them. Improper watering practices, inadequate lighting, over or under-fertilization, pest infestation, etc are some of the major factors that can kill your beloved Monstera. It is very important to take immediate measures after you encounter any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms. We hope our guide will help you save your Monstera from dying. If you have any other ideas in mind, please do not hesitate to share them with us.

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