Monstera Deliciosa Problems: Causes & Quick Fixes
Quick answer
Monstera Deliciosa is prone to 18 common issues - each link below is a plant-specific fix guide.
Monstera Deliciosa problems
Use the guides below to diagnose and fix common issues on Monstera Deliciosa. Each problem page explains why it happens on this species and what to do first.
Or use our problem diagnosis tool to narrow down symptoms.
Common problems on Monstera Deliciosa
Brown Tips
MediumLikely cause: Low humidity or inconsistent watering
Quick fix: Increase humidity; water more consistently
Full fix guide →Likely cause: Ants on Monstera deliciosa usually point to honeydew from aphids, scale, or mealybugs hiding on stems, undersides, or around moss poles.
Quick fix: Follow the ant trail to the sap-sucking pest, isolate the plant, and treat the pest source before trying to repel the ants.
Full fix guide →Crispy Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Crispy edges on Monstera deliciosa usually come from underwatering, hot dry airflow, root stress, or salt buildup concentrating at the leaf margins.
Quick fix: Check the root ball and recent watering pattern first, then correct dryness or salt stress before changing multiple variables at once.
Full fix guide →Drooping Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Drooping on Monstera deliciosa most often tracks root-zone stress from overwatering, underwatering, repotting shock, or sudden cold.
Quick fix: Probe the mix, inspect support roots and the pot base, and correct the root-zone problem before adding fertilizer or heavy pruning.
Full fix guide →Holes in Leaves
MediumLikely cause: New holes outside normal fenestrations usually come from tearing while unfurling, physical damage, or chewing pests rather than normal leaf maturity.
Quick fix: Check whether the damage appeared on soft new leaves, then inspect for thrips or caterpillars before treating it as a care issue.
Full fix guide →Leaf Drop
MediumLikely cause: Leaf drop on Monstera deliciosa usually follows root stress, sudden cold, major watering swings, or a recent move into lower light.
Quick fix: Check soil moisture, recent temperature swings, and the root ball before feeding or pruning; stabilize the environment first.
Full fix guide →Faded Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Faded or washed-out leaves usually point to too much direct sun, nutrient depletion in old mix, or roots staying too weak to support deep green growth.
Quick fix: Pull the plant back from harsh sun, inspect the root zone, and feed only after active growth resumes.
Full fix guide →Leaf Spot Disease
MediumLikely cause: Leaf spot usually develops when foliage stays wet for long periods or damaged leaves stay humid and stagnant.
Quick fix: Remove badly spotted leaves, keep water off the foliage, and improve spacing and airflow before reaching for broad treatments.
Full fix guide →Leggy Growth
MediumLikely cause: Insufficient light or no climbing support
Quick fix: Move to brighter light; provide moss pole
Full fix guide →Leaf Miners
MediumLikely cause: Leaf miners are uncommon indoors, but larvae can tunnel between leaf surfaces and leave pale winding tracks in soft foliage.
Quick fix: Remove mined leaves promptly and inspect nearby plants so new flushes do not become a second generation host.
Full fix guide →Not Enough Light
MediumLikely cause: In low light, Monstera deliciosa makes smaller leaves, wider internodes, and fewer mature fenestrations while the mix stays wet longer after watering.
Quick fix: Move it gradually into brighter indirect light and then reassess the watering interval once the pot begins drying faster.
Full fix guide →Plant Leaning
MediumLikely cause: Leaning usually means the plant is growing toward one light source or has outgrown its support and is dragging heavy leaves off-center.
Quick fix: Rotate the pot gradually, add firmer support, and tie stems in before the plant starts bending from the base.
Full fix guide →Red Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Red or reddish patches on green Monstera leaves usually signal sun stress, cold injury, or tissue damage rather than a normal leaf color change.
Quick fix: Check recent sun exposure and temperature swings, then protect the plant from further stress while damaged tissue declares itself.
Full fix guide →Pot Too Large
MediumLikely cause: A pot that holds far more mix than the root system can use keeps moisture around the roots too long and raises the risk of yellowing and rot.
Quick fix: Step back down to a pot only slightly larger than the root ball or water much more cautiously while the roots catch up.
Full fix guide →Purple Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Purple or dusky foliage on Monstera deliciosa is unusual and usually reflects cold stress, root damage, or severe nutrient uptake trouble in wet, chilled mix.
Quick fix: Inspect roots and recent temperature exposure first rather than assuming fertilizer alone will fix the color.
Full fix guide →Root Rot
HighLikely cause: Persistently wet soil
Quick fix: Repot in fresh draining mix; correct watering schedule
Full fix guide →Sticky Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Sticky leaves usually mean honeydew from scale, mealybugs, or aphids feeding on stems, petioles, or new growth.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant closely for sap-sucking pests, isolate it, and treat the insects instead of washing leaves alone.
Full fix guide →Yellow Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Overwatering - most common issue
Quick fix: Allow top 3–5 cm to dry; reduce watering frequency
Full fix guide →