I keep it in water, my friend said thats fine. I change the water weekly. I don't see any thrips, that used to be an issue for my house plants. I keep it in front of a window usually, i just moved it for the pictures. Does it need less or more light? Or should I plant it in soil? I don't want it to die. Any help is appreciated
by helixixii
13 Comments
I forgot to add: The roots look fine, they’re green and not rotting.
Probably needs to go in soil…there’s no nutrients in water so eventually these plants need to be transferred to soil.
This is likely from insufficient light exposure if it’s just the white portions. Variegated plants have increased light requirements due to having less chlorophyll. If these needs are not met, the plant will senesce the white portions to reallocate the nutrients in that tissue to new growth and the root system. Increasing light exposure will halt this process. 💚
plant it in soil
However, they are quicker to burn. My plant looks similar and it’s because I had it in direct afternoon sun.
That’s a beautiful healthy Monstera albo, you have a good friend.
The white part will often do that, it happens a lot with albos. I’d just cut it away.
The white parts on many “albo” variations will turn brown and crispy unless you add a silica fertilizer to your routine. There’s a whole discussion about it on [r/RareHouseplants](https://www.reddit.com/r/RareHouseplants/s/Co113h7Zzs)
Can I be their friend too?
I have one under a strong grow light and the other a little distance away from an East facing window. The one under the strong grow light has no brown. I’m still experimenting though.
It’s normal for the white parts to get brown (no photosynthesis so no need to stay).
A plant that’s grown in water can’t really be over or underwatered. The problem with overwatering in plants with soil is a lack of oxygen, but with plants growing in water it’s quite easy to get the oxygen back in there. Seeing as you change the water weekly, oxygen is probably not the issue.
There are a few things this could be:
1. The water itself may have chemicals like chlorine or chloramine that the plant doesn’t like. Check with your city or water company and buy something like tap water conditioner.
2. Nutrient deficiency. The nutrient problem outlined in u/gneisslady’s reply is most likely what it is, but I can’t be certain. Try adding silica fertilizer as they suggested or buy a hydroponic fertilizer and use that.
3. Light problem. Does the window face the sun directly, or is the light shaded by other plants outdoors (trees, shrubs that are close to the window, that sort of thing)? How much sun does this plant receive per day?
You need a fertilizer with silica
I’d say to add silica!!