In this post you will learn possible causes of the discoloration of the Monstera, as well as helpful tips for treatment.
Nutritional deficiency or -Avoid excess
The Monstera has a moderately high nutritional requirement and should be fertilized regularly in a balanced amount. If it is not adequately supplied with nutrients, the leaves change color and are ultimately thrown off. Too well-intentioned fertilization also ensures brown leaves, but also burns the roots. This is often the case, for example, when fertilizing with an undiluted liquid fertilizer. However, both a nutritional deficiency and an excess can be avoided by taking the following guidelines into account:
- Fertilize every 2 weeks from March to September
- Fertilizer sticks for green plants
- Or liquid fertilizer for green plants
- Mix fertilizer into the irrigation water
- Note the manufacturer's dosage
Optimize lighting conditions
The Monstera originally comes from the rainforest, where it grows in the shade of the canopy of large trees. Accordingly, it prefers bright locations and generally gets along quite well with less light. However, it cannot tolerate places that are too dark, any more than the blazing sun. If the window leaf is unsatisfied with the light conditions, this can often be seen from brown or recognize black spots on the leaves. To avoid this, consider the
Lighting conditions, the following must be taken into account:- Light to sunny location
- Partially shaded location from June to September
- Avoid direct sunlight
- protect from the midday sun
Very often black or attribute brown discolouration to a lack of light. Because, especially in winter, many plants receive too little light. Even before brown spots form, a lack of light can be recognized by other features: On the one hand, the leaves are generally darker and, on the other hand, the indentations or indentations are generally darker. Notches in the leaves are weak or not at all pronounced.
Adjust air conditions
The optimal location for the Monstera is near a window, with an east, west or north window being best suited for this. In addition, care should be taken that the plant is not exposed to drafts. The humidity should always be taken into account, because air that is too dry does not do the window leaf well and can cause brown discolouration. However, the optimum humidity can be achieved in a few simple steps:
- Humidity between 60 - 70 percent
- Avoid dry heating air
- Set up indoor fountain
- Spray the plant daily
Tip: To increase the humidity
check, it is worth using a humidifier or hygrometer!Fight fungal infection
Brown resp. black spots on the leaves of the monstera can also indicate eye spot disease (Spilocaea oleagina). This is a fungal infection that causes brownish to black spots to form on the leaves. The spots have a round shape, are colored light brown on the inside and have a slightly darker edge. It is also typical that the rest of the leaf often takes on a yellow color and later usually turns completely brown or black. If the fungal infection is not detected early, it can spread unhindered and cause great damage to the plant. To avoid this, you should act immediately in the event of an infestation:
- Remove affected leaves
- Cut off with a sharp and disinfected cutting tool
- If the infestation is severe, cut back the plant completely
- Dispose of clippings in household waste
Note: In the event of an infestation, it is worth giving the weakened plant tonic. Horsetail mud or liverwort extract can be used for this.
Prevent waterlogging
Proper irrigation is not only crucial for the growth of the Monstera, because brownish or brownish ones are also important. black discolouration can thus be avoided! The tropical plant would like to be watered regularly, but does not tolerate waterlogging. The latter is very often caused by too frequent watering or too large amounts of water. A blocked drainage hole can also lead to waterlogging. If the excess water has already collected in the pot, you should act immediately and repot the plant:
- Take the plant out of the pot
- Remove wet soil
- Rinse roots with lukewarm water
- Check the roots
- Remove brown and diseased roots
- Clean the planter
- Apply drainage over drainage hole
- Half fill the pot with soil
- Insert the plant in the middle and not deeper than before
- Do not pour!
Tip: For drainage
Materials such as expanded clay, gravel or pottery shards are suitable.
After repotting, the plant should not be watered immediately. Instead, it is advisable to wait around a week before giving off the water for the first time. Then it is advisable to let the surface of the earth dry a little between the water discharges. In order to avoid waterlogging in the future, excess irrigation water should also always be removed.
Optimize temperature
In the South American rainforest, the Monstera enjoys a warm climate and prefers a constant temperature in the living room at home. She neither likes it when it's too cold, nor does she tolerate temperature fluctuations. Because it reacts to both with the formation of brown resp. black spots. To avoid this, the optimal temperatures should always be given:
- April to September: 20 - 28 degrees Celsius
- October to March: 16-21 degrees Celsius
- Never permanently below 16 degrees Celsius!
Note: The heat radiation from devices and radiators should not be underestimated either!
Avoid water shortages
Brown spots can also be a sign of drought stress caused by a lack of water. In this case, the roots get too little water, which affects both water and nutrient uptake. The leaves first turn yellow, then brown, before they finally wither and die. A moisture meter or finger test can be used to determine whether the soil is moist enough. If the soil is dry, the Monstera suffers from drought stress and should be watered immediately. It is even better to avoid a water shortage by taking the following into account when watering:
- Water abundantly in summer
- Water less in winter
- Always keep the substrate moist
- Pay attention to high humidity
- Dip the root ball in water if necessary
Note: Very long aerial roots can be diverted into a container filled with water.
