I’ve grown this Monstera for 5 years since it only had one leaf. The location doesn’t have the most light, especially at the base and on the ceiling, but clearly it gets enough as it is still putting out new growth.
Around September I had Thrips that found their way to this plant. Fortunately I fought them off with a mixture of tactics which were multiple weeks of pesticide spray, fertilizer sticks with pest poison for when they eat the plant, and beneficial bugs (orius insidiosis/pirate bugs and Predatory Mites). Around November they were fully dead and gone, no thrips since.
Some leaves were damaged but didn’t lose anything instantly. Now since December it has been losing a leaf about every 1-2 weeks, it seems to be losing both affected and unaffected leaves from the thrips which makes me think it isn’t from the damage done. They started at the bottom of the plant where there is the least light so I wasn’t concerned at first but it has continued and gone up towards the middle of where the pictures are. This is more concerning as there is plenty of light there and also its visible and thinning the plant.
They die either one of two ways. 1) It has overall turned yellow and died off or 2) crisped brown at the tip until it consumed most of the leaf, sometimes it is yellow at the part crisping, sometimes it just goes green to brown. There are also some C brownings appearing on leaves but these haven’t eaten into the plant yet, it usually starts at the far most tip.
I don’t think there is an over/underwatering problem but can’t say for certain as I cannot take the plant out and inspect the roots. The whole plant is just one parent plant that branched off and grew aerial roots, all that reached towards the pot I have let them grow into a root system. There are some fungus gnats but it really isn’t bad. The yellow stickies are covered but this is from maybe 6 months when the thrips hit, except for the hanging one which is about a month old.
Does anyone have any idea what I can do to help the plant?
pineappleyard
She needs more light, that’s it. She is BEGGING, for more light. New growth doesn’t necessarily means she’s happy, she can still grow, but she will not thrive. She’s very sad, the best you can do is chop and prop, and give all your new babies the light they deserve. In the end it will be better and you’ll have more Monsteras.
Physical_Literature5
Give her a grow light/bulb and she will definitely be happier. If she’s been in that same pot this whole time she might be due for a soil refresh and even a new pot size depending on how the roots look
Pilea_Paloola
I agree with the light situation, get it a grow light or two. But it yellowing from the bottom up makes me wonder… when was the last time you fed the plant? They’ll yellow out this way, oldest leaves first, if it’s not getting enough nutrients.
UnidentifiedTron
Damn. That’s a unit!
Filing_chapter11
You could replace the light in your fixture with a full spectrum LED light. If it bothers you you can buy blue light filtering glasses so you can still enjoy that room with the lights on
Modern-sensibility
How do you make the leaves shine?
AkaiHidan
It’s just lack of light bc winter.
WolfCola6
Soltech solutions makes horticultural track and pendant lights that look great. I have their track lights and my houseplants love them.
StarGuardianJulie
Wow she’s incredible. Those aerial roots are crazy. Did you let her attach to the wall?
10 Comments
I’ve grown this Monstera for 5 years since it only had one leaf. The location doesn’t have the most light, especially at the base and on the ceiling, but clearly it gets enough as it is still putting out new growth.
Around September I had Thrips that found their way to this plant. Fortunately I fought them off with a mixture of tactics which were multiple weeks of pesticide spray, fertilizer sticks with pest poison for when they eat the plant, and beneficial bugs (orius insidiosis/pirate bugs and Predatory Mites). Around November they were fully dead and gone, no thrips since.
Some leaves were damaged but didn’t lose anything instantly. Now since December it has been losing a leaf about every 1-2 weeks, it seems to be losing both affected and unaffected leaves from the thrips which makes me think it isn’t from the damage done. They started at the bottom of the plant where there is the least light so I wasn’t concerned at first but it has continued and gone up towards the middle of where the pictures are. This is more concerning as there is plenty of light there and also its visible and thinning the plant.
They die either one of two ways. 1) It has overall turned yellow and died off or 2) crisped brown at the tip until it consumed most of the leaf, sometimes it is yellow at the part crisping, sometimes it just goes green to brown. There are also some C brownings appearing on leaves but these haven’t eaten into the plant yet, it usually starts at the far most tip.
I don’t think there is an over/underwatering problem but can’t say for certain as I cannot take the plant out and inspect the roots. The whole plant is just one parent plant that branched off and grew aerial roots, all that reached towards the pot I have let them grow into a root system. There are some fungus gnats but it really isn’t bad. The yellow stickies are covered but this is from maybe 6 months when the thrips hit, except for the hanging one which is about a month old.
Does anyone have any idea what I can do to help the plant?
She needs more light, that’s it. She is BEGGING, for more light. New growth doesn’t necessarily means she’s happy, she can still grow, but she will not thrive. She’s very sad, the best you can do is chop and prop, and give all your new babies the light they deserve. In the end it will be better and you’ll have more Monsteras.
Give her a grow light/bulb and she will definitely be happier. If she’s been in that same pot this whole time she might be due for a soil refresh and even a new pot size depending on how the roots look
I agree with the light situation, get it a grow light or two. But it yellowing from the bottom up makes me wonder… when was the last time you fed the plant? They’ll yellow out this way, oldest leaves first, if it’s not getting enough nutrients.
Damn. That’s a unit!
You could replace the light in your fixture with a full spectrum LED light. If it bothers you you can buy blue light filtering glasses so you can still enjoy that room with the lights on
How do you make the leaves shine?
It’s just lack of light bc winter.
Soltech solutions makes horticultural track and pendant lights that look great. I have their track lights and my houseplants love them.
Wow she’s incredible. Those aerial roots are crazy. Did you let her attach to the wall?