Hi everyone, I'm new to the plant game and I got this beautiful monstera a few weeks ago. The last few days, some of the leaves are starting to get yellow and droop, and I'm freaking out that I've killed it. I was so excited for it to get new leaves, but now I'm just worried. I think I might have overwatered it. Any tips for a worried new plant parent? Photos in the comments.
by TorontoChloe
24 Comments
If you think you might have overwatered you most likely did, and judging from the photo it can certainly be that. Remove it from the pot, the roots are likely rotten. You can propagate it and it will likely survive.
You are not a bad plant mom, these things happen, especially if you are new.
How often do you water? Is there a way for the water to drain out of the pot? The roots should be able to dry out between waterings and excess water sitting in the pot will cause the plant to rot.
You still have healthy leaves so not all hope is lost (yet). Do you let the soil dry out between waterings?
How much water did you give it?
Probably because this plant can take lot of abuse lol
Definitely overwatered, it’s okay! Everybody starts out learning, make sure the soil dries out and if you have root rot you might need to dig it out and clean up to repot. It’ll be alright
Does this pot have drainage holes? If not, it definitely needs some.
That pot needs drainage. Cannot overwater or let sit in water this one
You’ve drowned it.
It’s a nice pot for sure, however I recommend a nursery pot/growers pot that’s has similar dimensions to your current pot. They have drainage holes and you can just slide it into the same pot. Or if there’s a plug on the bottom of the pot, unplug it and add a tray to catch the water even though it may look ugly. Also if the soil is visibly moist it’s good on water
1. Remove the yellow leaves. They’re not going to recover.
2. Make sure there isn’t standing water at the bottom of the pot. If there’s a drain, use it. If not, tip the plant over and drain out any water.
3. Let it dry out (avoid watering for at least a week and a half)
4. Then water 1x per week and make sure the water has somewhere to drain.
They can bounce back / it might not die, but you’ve definitely been over watering. They can handle a lot of water, but if the water stays trapped at the bottom the roots can rot. Get a pot with holes in the bottom from now on.
I agree with all of the other people in the comments but I also wanted to say that spot is probably too dark for it. Bright light will help it recover faster after you treat the overwatering damage 🙂
Looks like you got some good advice. No one has mentioned the stems are backwards on the moss pole. Roots against the pole, leaves come out the front and face the window.
The stems look weak and thin from low light and too much water. You may want to cut these back and start again once the water and light are fixed so the stems grow stronger and can hold up the weight of the leaves.
root rot. whats underneath the pot? looks like u dont have drainage.
I practically abuse my monstera let it dry out completely then water it and it gives me a new leaf evey month or so.
Watering issue plus that girl needs way more light
Is there any drainage??
Good advice here. I tend to overwater myself, but I was wondering if it has been fed since you’ve had it? After getting it dried out and a good drainage provided, maybe think about some plant food with the next watering. I would agree also to cut off the yellow leaves. It will save the plant energy to focus on its recovery. Hope this helps!
Pull it out from the corner as much as you can and trim off the dead also rewire it onto the pole and give it a new sturdy start
I had to help mine recover after some neglect and cat-vandalism. Nearly all of the leaves were gone on mine due to being chewed on, and probably, lack of light 🙁 Once I changed some things (fresh soil and new location) it has bounced back.
If that were my plant in your picture, I’d remove the dead leaves, and pull it out of the corner a bit (towards the light). As others have said, water far less frequently. I don’t remember the last time I watered my monstera, I water plants when they start to look thirsty (which might not be the best but most of mine are succulents).
Overwatering
Yes you’re a bad plant mom right now but that can change. From now on, only ever water your plants when the soil is dry. For succulents, only water when the leaves are getting soft.
It looks like you are over watering it and the roots are sitting in soaking wet soil so that is rotting the roots which in turn is killing the plant. Cut off the dead leaves and let the plant dry out and see how it gets on. But it might be too late for it 😕
You’re not actually the mother of the plant 🙂
Don’t get too attached to plants – if you treat them more like science experiments, rather than children, you’re likely to learn more about them faster.
You have gotten some good advice here. For now I would take it out of the pot to let the roots dry and remove what is not healthy.