Yellowing of leaves is a natural process with which the plant comes up with new foliage.
But, when you see new leaves are turning yellow or brown then there is something going on with your plant.
Reasons for Monstera deliciosa leaves turning yellow can be overwatering, underwater, improper sunlight, stress and lack of fertilizers.
Apart from this even pests can lead to yellowing of Monstera leaves.
In this write-up you’ll know causes and possible solutions for your Monstera (Swiss cheese) plant problems.
Quick Solution: Without knowing the exact cause of yellowing leaves, it is impossible to tell the solution. So, I highly recommend sparing few minutes to know the cause and then you’ll be suggested with more appropriate solution.
Why It’s Important to know about Monstera Plant?
Before delving further, it is essential to know about your houseplant’s origin and its growing conditions.
Without which you can’t take care of your Monstera plant efficiently.
Monstera deliciosa plant is found in tropical rain forest. Mean, it need good amount of moisture and thrives well in indirect sunlight.
Warm climate, humidity and moist soil are key things to have dark green foliage.
As its native to tropical rain forest region, the plant is provided with rich amount of organic fertilizers.
When you fail to replicate identical atmosphere in your living space, Monstera plant starts signaling you with leaves turning yellow, brown or drooping.
Now that you got an idea about its origin, you can efficiently and effectively take care of your houseplant.
Also Read: Why My ZZ Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?
Why Swiss Cheese (Monstera deliciosa) Leaves Turning Yellow?
If you’re houseplant leaves are turning yellow, brown and dry, then most likely you’re Underwatering your Monstera plant.
In case of leaves turning only yellow, then overwatering is the culprit.
Below are the list of common causes why your Monstera turning yellow.
#1 Soil – You Opted the Wrong Soil Mixture
Growing medium provides essential nutrients for your plant to grow; it also helps to retain moisture and holds your houseplant firm against wind.
Most houseplants don’t like to stand in water.
Adding soil that isn’t good enough to drain water can result in root rot and yellowing of Monstera leaves.
Monstera deliciosa thrives well in well drained potting soil that retains moisture and rich in nutrients.
Solution:
I’m not an expert, but few gardening gurus recommend mixing equal amount of garden soil, compost and peat moss.
You can also replace peat moss with perlite or pumice.
This combination is well drained, packed with fertilizers and nutrients. It also helps to retain moisture.
Adding peat moss or shredded leaves in your potting soil will improve soil aeration and this will contribute in smooth passage of water through drainage.
Check this Why Is My String of Pearls Plant Dying?
#2 Watering – Not Watering the Right Way
Along with sunlight and soil, water helps your plant in making its food through photosynthesis.
Though water has vital role in sprouting, growing and blooming a plant, excess of it can damage the growth. Likewise, something less than needed can result in drooping leaves.
When you see the soil is dry, leaves are yellow, brown and wilting, then perhaps you’re Underwatering your Monstera deliciosa plant.
If you the soil is soggy, leaves are yellow, then most likely the cause is due to overwatering.
In most cases out of extra care, gardeners water the plant more than it needed. Or the poor drainage clogs the water in the pot resulting in root rot or yellowing of leaves.
Check this article: How Long Can Peace Lilies Go Without Water?
Solution
Before coming to the solution, make sure you evaluate the plant completely including its soil, leaves and roots.
Underwatering: It is easy to fix under-watered plant. Water your plant generously till the water follows thorough the drainage hole.
Have an eye on your Monstera plant’s yellow leaves. With regular watering they shed away and new green foliage will develop with time.
Overwatering
Overwatering results in root rot. Yellowing of leaves is just an initial sign.
Check the soil if it’s soggy and smell like rotten, then you’re overwatering your plant.
Apart from watering too frequently, poor growing medium results in overwatering.
If you planted the Monstera in the wrong growing medium, transplant it into potting soil mix that is well drained.
Also, allow the soil to dry by reducing the watering frequency.
Important Tip:
Watering schedule has great impact on your plant. Monstera deliciosa needs water only when the soil surface is completely dry.
Check the soil for moisture with your fingers. If you feel dry only then water the plant generously. In case the surface of the soil is wet and sticky, then it’s not time to water your plant.
#3 Sunlight – Direct Sunlight Can Damage Your Monstera Plant
Monstera deliciosa is native tropical rain forest, where the plant gets adequate amount of indirect sunlight.
When you place your houseplant in direct sunlight for long hours, they burn the leaves resulting in leaf burn.
Yellowing of Monstera leaves is a sign that your houseplant isn’t getting enough sunlight.
Too much light burns the leaf and low light results in yellow patches on the foliage.
Solution:
Swiss cheese needs indirect & bright sunlight. Place it in shade or window facing east or west will be perfect location for this houseplant.
If your location don’t receive adequate amount of sunlight, you can use grow bulbs or fluorescent lights.
Also Read: Can Monstera Plant live Outside?
#4 Climate – Temperature Stress
Ideal temperature for growing Swiss Cheese plant ranges from 65F- 80F. Anything below that will have adverse impact on the growth of your houseplant.
Due to climatic conditions if the temperature is below 50F, then the plant will develop yellow leaves.
Houseplants like Swiss Cheese can’t tolerate sudden change in temperature and extreme climatic changes.
Solution
Relocate the plant if you notice yellowing or drooping of leaves due to extreme temperature.
In colder regions avoid placing your houseplant near window or beside a drafty door. This plant can’t survive when placed too closed to air conditioner, heat vent or fire place.
It’s a tropical plant, so try to replicate the warm environment in your living space.
#5 Transplant Shock
When to decide to transplant the plant, but fail to take appropriate care then leaves start turning yellow.
Before that, Why you must repot Monstera deliciosa plant?
Potting soil you added in the container loss its nutrients value after year. To provide required amount of nutrients you must either transplant it to another pot with rich fertilizers or add dry manure on surface of the soil.
Apart from this, as the Monstera deliciosa out grows the container resulting in root bound. If you don’t repot, most likely the plant’s growth will be stunted.
While transplanting, sudden change in climate or location or wrong potting soil leads to transplant shock and yellow leaves on Swiss Cheese plant is a sign of that stress.
Solution
Transplanting the plant when it can’t perform well will eventually stop its growth.
Best time to repot your plant is, late winter to early spring.
While transplanting, make sure to opt for best potting soil for Monstera Deliciosa. Well drained and rich in nutrients soil favors your houseplants to thrive.
If your plant is performing well then don’t change the pot location, because it is getting enough sunlight and adequate amount of warm there.
Water generously; extreme light and water don’t help your plant.
#6 Fertilizers
Monstera Deliciosa is originated from wild, where it got ample amount of organic fertilizers in form of dry leaves and bark.
When you fail to feed your houseplant with required amount of fertilizer, then it may develop yellow leaves.
As you’re growing Swiss Cheese plant in a container, you must provide balanced fertilizers twice in a month.
Again, over-fertilizing is a problem for the plant.
Excess amount of nutrients results in salts getting deposited in the soil, forming a white crust on surface of the soil. Because of this, water move out of plant roots cells leaving the plant to die.
Also Read: Best Fertilizer for Peace Lily
How to know, the plant is over-fertilized?
You’ll notice white layer of crust on surface of the soil. Stunted growth and leaves start turning yellow can be a sign of this imbalanced fertilization.
Solution for Over-fertilization
With abundant amount of water, flush the soil till the water flows freely through drainage hole.
This process will remove excess salt deposits in the soil.
Don’t fertilize the plant for few months, because there can be salt deposits left in the container.
Check this out: Are Coffee Grounds Good for Monstera?
Nutritional Deficiency
Like every plant, Swiss Cheese plant needs NPK, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium to grow.
These essential nutrients help the plant to form its stem, leaves, blossoms and improve its root system.
Deficiency in Nitrogen & Potassium results in yellowing of leaves and stops plant growth.
Solution for Nutritional Deficiency
Opt for organic fertilizer.
Add a layer of dry manure to surface of the soil and cover it with garden soil. You can also use liquid fertilizers.
But, don’t use it in excess.
#7 Pests & Diseases
Aphids and spider mites are common pests that suck plant juice and leaves yellow spots on the green foliage.
White rice like insects on your leaves are a sign that your plant is attacked by aphids. Learn more about pests here.
Solution:
Wash away the spider mites and aphids using hose water pipe.
You can also use organic pesticides like neem oil or Diatomaceous earth to get rid of these pests.
Diseases like fungal leaf spot, anthracnose and powdery mildew also results in yellowing of leaves.
You must trim the affected part of the plant immediately and if required isolate the plant to stop the spread of diseases to other plants.
Spraying natural pesticides like neem oil will help to fight these diseases.
Check out common diseases and disorders associated with Monstera deliciosa plant.
#8 Its Natural
It’s common that old foliage turns yellow and sheds off the plant.
As the plant grow older, bottom leaves turn yellow, droops and then drops from the plant.
This is natural process and you don’t have to worry much about this.
Can yellow leaves of Monstera Deliciosa turn green again?
No, once the plant leaves turn yellow it can turn green again. Only thing you can do is to cut it off.
Should I cut yellow leaves off monstera plant?
You can trim discolored leaves from monstera plant.
But, before proceeding you should diagnose why leaves of monstera plant are turning yellow.
If lower leaves are turning yellow, then probably it can be due to natural process and you don’t have to worry about it. Cut leaves that are turned yellow fully.
Other plant disorders like overwatering, underwatering, diseases and pests can cause discoloration of leaves. In this case, you must first fix the problem before cutting yellow leaves.
How to fix yellow leaves on monstera deliciosa?
Check moisture of your growing soil.
Overwatering is one of the common causes of discolored monstera leaves. Choose well drained potting soil that remove excess water and retain required moisture.
Conclusion
Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss Cheese plant leaves turns yellow due to various factors like, wrong potting soil, watering frequency, temperature, fertilizers and pests.
As a plant owner you must assess the pant thoroughly and opt for the solution to get rid of yellowing of leaves.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting