The decorative Monstera is particularly impressive with its large green leaves. But what if they suddenly change color? Read here what to do if your Monstera gets white spots.
In a nutshell
- various causes of white spots on Monstera
- usually cause chlorophyll deficiency
- Get rid of pests like spider mites quickly
- there are varieties in which the leaves variegate
- optimize care, e.g. B. Dust the leaves regularly and use low-lime water
Table of Contents
- Fix chlorophyll deficiency
- Correct fertilization
- Fight spider mites
- Avoid toxins
- Choose the ideal location
- frequently asked Questions
Fix chlorophyll deficiency
If white spots or light spots form on the leaves, then it is most likely a lack of chlorophyll. If this is a disease-related chlorosis, action must be taken. These are the most common reasons for this:
- missing minerals
- spider mites-infestation
- toxins in the air
- wrong location
A notice: If the chlorophyll deficiency in the plant increases, the Monstera can die off because it is no longer being supplied with enough nutrients. A few white spots, on the other hand, are usually not a problem.
Correct fertilization
If the Monstera gets the wrong minerals or too little fertilizer, then there can be a lack of chlorophyll. The damaged leaves will not turn green again, but green leaves can grow back, which will then help the plant survive:
- Repot the plant in fresh substrate
- remove mostly white leaves
- Choose liquid fertilizer for green plants
- regularly administer with the irrigation water
- every two to three weeks
- Pay attention to different manufacturer specifications
A notice: Over-fertilization can also be harmful and, in the worst case, even cause the plant to dry out.So show the Monstera yellow leaves, you should rinse the substrate with plenty of water to flush out excess nutrients.
Fight spider mites
Especially when the white spots appear on the Monstera in winter, it can be due to spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). These tend to appear when the heating air is dry, sit on and under the leaves and suck out the cells here. This leads to the white spots, which in the worst case later lead to the entire plant drying up and dying:
- Spray leaves regularly as a preventive measure
- use soft water without lime
- If the leaves are infested, wash them off on both sides with a damp cloth
- Quarantine plant
- Mix 1 l water with 250 ml rapeseed oil
- Spray plants twice a week
The oil causes the spider mites to clog their respiratory openings and they suffocate in a short time. If the pests are successfully controlled, the preventive measures should be taken.
Avoid toxins
Houseplants absorb a particularly large number of toxins from the air. It is therefore important to avoid these, otherwise the Monstera will be hindered in its required photosynthesis and white spots may appear:
- the biggest toxin is cigarette smoke
- do not smoke in close proximity to the plant
- ventilate regularly
- Avoid draughts
- vapors from lacquers or paints are also harmful
- Do not put the plant in the room immediately after renovation
- Place Monstera away from wood or plastic
A notice: These substances in the air are also harmful to human health. Therefore, you can tell from your Monstera when the air in the room needs improvement.
Choose the ideal location
Wrong location can always be a cause of white spots on your Monstera's leaves. If it is only because of this, the plant can be saved quickly. Therefore, the first thing to check is whether the Monstera is simply too dark, since chlorophyll can only be formed with sufficient light:
- Brighten Monstera
- on east or west windows
- protect from the sun with blinds on south-facing windows
- in a bright corner of the room next to the balcony or patio door
- set up a plant lamp in winter
frequently asked Questions
If you think the white spots on your Monstera aren't a bad thing, then you should question the variety of your plant. Because there is a variety where the white spots on the leaves are desired. This is the so-called variegation of the leaves, a gene mutation that occurs in the Monstera variegata is completely normal.
When caring for the Monstera, it should also be sprayed regularly from above. Have you ever checked the water used for lime content? If the white spots can simply be wiped off the leaves with a damp cloth, then these may well be lime spots from the water. The next time you spray, you should use soft water.
Even if you have chosen a bright location, there may be white spots due to lack of light. Check the large leaves for dust. Because dust can also inhibit photosynthesis if it is thick on the leaves. Dust the leaves well with a soft, damp cloth about every four weeks. In this way, the light can continue to be absorbed unhindered by the plant.
