Monstera gets yellow leaves: what to do?

Its large, tapering leaves are lush green, convince with their deeply incised shape and transform any living space into an urban jungle in no time at all. At the same time, she impresses with her frugal character. For this reason, the Monstera belongs, also called Window leaf known to the welcome roommates. If yellow leaves suddenly appear in the monumental beauty, it is usually the fault of care mistakes that troubles the plant.

Yellow leaves

As long as a single yellow leaf only forms in the lower area of ​​the Monstera, it is a completely normal growth and aging process. However, if this damage appears more in the foliage, different causes can be responsible.

Waterlogging

Many hobby gardeners love to swing the watering can to pamper their plants. But what is well meant often results in the opposite, because the Monstera does not like wet feet. The plant can still cope with a few slips during watering. If, however, too much is watered, the roots begin to rot in the earth. And soon the leaves are visibly wilting above it. In fact, waterlogging is by far the most common cause of yellow leaves in the Monstera.

remedy

Carefully remove the Monstera from the pot and then let the bale dry in a warm, partially shaded place for a few hours. In any case, check whether the roots are not already beginning to rot or mold. If you recognize a musty smell or mushy roots, the entire soil must be removed and damaged tissue generously cut out. Then plant the plant in fresh substrate.

• Substrate: permeable (potting soil with sand, gravel or expanded clay)
• alternatively: high quality potted plant soil
• Planter with drainage holes
• Apply drainage

Tip: If the roots are already badly damaged, the window leaf can usually no longer be saved. You may be able to pull head or trunk cuttings from parts that are still intact.

Lack of water

More rarely than waterlogging, drought is the cause of yellow leaves. Nevertheless, watering too sparingly is also one of the frequent care mistakes. The plant suffers from a lack of water even when the air humidity is very low, and when only a little There is soil because the pot has become too small for the monstera, which is growing considerably is.

solution

Water the plant generously and discard any excess water after about ten minutes. From now on, the window leaf should be watered regularly, but not excessively. Before the next watering, simply check with your finger whether the soil is still moist enough. If the climbing plant is near the heater in winter, you should also spray its leaves with water from time to time.

Overfertilization

When caring for the plant, it can quickly happen that you inadvertently overdo it with fertilizing. A clear indication of this is a salt crust on the earth. In this case, the plant begins to release water to the substrate in order to compensate for the high salt content. The monstera gets yellow leaves and dries up even though it has been sufficiently watered.

First aid

Even professionals can accidentally give too much fertilizer once. If you have used the liquid fertilizer too generously or even undiluted, you have to rinse the substrate with plenty of water to flush out the excess nutrients.

• Dip the bale into a vat of water several times
• Let drain in between
• Change the water with every dive
• only pour again after a few days

Tip: If this procedure is useless, it is called repotting. Replace as much of the salted substrate as possible with fresh one.

Nutritional deficiency

Problems can arise from over-fertilization, but also from insufficient nutrients. If you have regularly supplied your Monstera with liquid fertilizer or fertilizer sticks, a pH value that is too high can also be the cause of a deficiency. This often happens with indoor plants if you water with normal tap water instead of rainwater with little lime content. The high pH prevents certain nutrients such as iron from being absorbed. Possible causes of nutrient deficiency are:

• not fertilized for a long time
• not repotted regularly
• too small a vessel
• calcareous irrigation water

remedy

As with many other causes, repotting helps here. Remove as much old soil from the roots as possible and replenish it with fresh. A larger pot may also be necessary.

sunburn

If the window leaf has received the full midday sun, its leaves can burn. If sunburn is the cause, this is initially shown in silvery-gray areas on the side facing the light. Later the leaves turn yellow.

remedy

In this case, the solution to the problem is obvious. The window leaf needs better site conditions. If no other location is possible, provide shade during the noon hours.

Cold temperatures

The large-leaved plant originally comes from the forests of Central and South America. In the tropical regions, temperatures are around 25 degrees all year round. If the plant gets yellow leaves, you should therefore also consider the temperature in the room as a cause. Even a tilted window or a draughty hallway can be responsible.

• optimal temperature: all year round 20 to 25 degrees
• in winter: at least 16 to 18 degrees

remedy

If the tropical plant has been damaged by cold or drafts, there is not much you can do about it. You have to wait and see and remove any dead leaves.

Pests

Occasionally the Monstera suffers from infestation from Scale insects or spider mites. However, this rarely occurs with the robust plant. The pests are often not recognizable at first glance, as they mainly settle on the underside of the leaves.

First aid

The earlier you spot an infestation, the easier it is to control the pests. First remove larger nests manually and, if possible, rinse the plant in the shower. Then spray the leaves, especially the undersides, with a solution of water and alcohol with a splash of detergent.