Interior Fun

Why is My Monstera Turning Yellow?

If you want your Monstera to thrive in all its beauty and glory, it is a must that you strike the perfect balance of feeding, watering, temperature, and light. But the moment you see your Monstera looking out of the ordinary, it is all too easy to worry and panic. One of the most common problems when it comes to Monstera is when it turns yellow.

Why is my monstera turn yellow

Why is my Monstera turning yellow in the first place? The yellowing of Monstera leaves is a common indication that one element is out of balance, whether it is underwatering, overwatering, insufficient or prolonged exposure to light sources, shock due to propagation or repotting, and absence of nutritional supplements in the soil base.

Continue reading below to learn the most common reasons why your Monstera is turning yellow:

Limited Light Exposure

All plants require light to maintain health and encourage growth, with some plants needing more light than others. Monsteras are not really big fans of bright light. These plants considerably fare well in low-light conditions although they may still require a bit of additional exposure to light.

When the leaves of your Monstera plants start to turn yellow, this may indicate insufficient light conditions. Mature Monstera plants that are more than 3 years old should exhibit some fenestration happening. It is when the leaves will split that gives the foliage its unique appearance.

With the absence of adequate lighting, your Monstera’s leaves will not grow big enough to split and might also keep their smaller heart shapes. Once yellowing occurs, it is often in patches or the veins instead of the entire leaf.

green plant on white ceramic pot

Normally, windows that face the west and east, depending on your specific location, can give your Monstera adequate light. Windows that face north get the lowest number of hours of exposure to the sun, while those that face south will have too much direct sunlight more than what your Monstera can endure that can pose a risk of leaf burn.

If possible, you might want to move your plant to the west or east-facing window. If natural light is limited, you can also try using artificial lights, and these don’t have to be grow lights. Grow bulbs in standard light fittings can already do the trick, not to mention that these are also more economical.

You can also consider fluorescent lighting if you don’t have any natural light. Many kitchen cabinet light units today already feature fluorescent light tubes, with some being LED. LED and fluorescent lighting are both suitable for Monstera since neither of these produces too much heat.

When the plant gets more heat, the soil will dry up faster.

Nutrient Deficiency

Monsteras can also turn yellow if they are suffering from nutrient deficiency. If the leaves of your plant are starting to turn yellow and there are no watering concerns, try to remember when you repotted or fertilized it last.

If you have been growing your plant in its existing soil for over several months and you didn’t fertilize it for several months already, your Monstera might have absorbed all nutrients found in the potting mix and a supplement might be necessary.

You can try to add Monstera plant food to your usual watering routine to give the plant the much-needed boost of essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen together with other micronutrients such as copper. Doing so will help your plant grow beautiful new leaves.

Repotting Stress

If you recently repotted your Monstera to a new home, it might turn yellow because of the repotting stress. Monstera plants tend to be quite sensitive after repotting. This stress is due to the exposure of the roots, a change in the soil used, or because of repotting the plant at the wrong time of the year. The best time for repotting Monsteras is from late winter up to early spring.

Monsteras that experience transplant shock will have drooping petioles and leaves, looking like they need watering. The leaves may begin turning yellowish, starting with the oldest ones.

The leaves turn yellow as the plant tries to conserve water and nutrients after going through the traumatic event. Your Monstera will soon return to normal and become happier in the new pot.

To reduce the stress that your Monstera goes through after transplant, you can try to return it to the same location and continue to stick to the regular watering schedule. Too little or too much of either water or light will only worsen the transplant shock.

Avoid fertilizing your plant until it recovers and starts to grow again. When the plant looks dry even aft you water it regularly, you can try giving it a little additional humidity.

Watering Issues

This next reason why your Monstera turns yellow is quite straightforward. Excessive watering is the main reason for the yellowing of Monstera leaves.

When it comes to caring for monstera plant, proper watering is always a significant step, and this also applies to your precious Monstera. Once you notice yellowing in the leaves of your Monstera, check the moisture in the soil, and in a worst-case scenario, inspect for root rot.

Excessive moisture in the soil due to overwatering will only cause stress on your Monstera. These plants don’t do well when planted in wet soil for a long time. The excess water can make the roots rot, cause the leaves to turn yellow, and eventually, lead to the plant’s demise.

See to it that the plant’s soil always remains damp instead of completely wet. To do this, you need to water the plant only when you notice dryness on the soil’s top 2 to 3 inches. If you are worried about root rot or you are just getting started with planting, it might help to use pots with drainage holes at the bottom.

Your Monstera will also turn yellow due to underwatering. When the soil lacks enough moisture, the plant won’t be able to absorb enough nutrients required for photosynthesis. The result is that the leaves will lack chlorophyll which can turn them yellow. The leaves might also have some brown and yellow spots.

Now that you know why your Monstera is turning yellow, always strike the perfect balance between all the necessary elements for your beloved plant to grow lush and healthy.

Can Yellow Monstera Leaves Turn Green Again?

Monstera leaves that have turned yellow are not going to revert back to their original green color. While there is no definite answer as to why this occurs, it is speculated that the leaves change color due to a lack of sunlight or an insufficient water supply. As long as you are providing your plant with the right care, its leaves will remain green.

What to Do when Monstera Leaves Turn Yellow

Monstera leaves can turn yellow for a variety of reasons, but most often it’s a sign that the plant is thirsty or needs more light. Other potential causes include nutrient deficiencies or pests. If you’re not sure what’s causing the yellowing, take a sample leaf to a garden center for diagnosis.

Once you know the cause, you can take steps to correct it. Thirsty plants may need more water, while plants that need more light should be moved to a brighter spot. If the leaves are yellow due to a nutrient deficiency, add fertilizer according to the instructions on the label. And if pests are the problem, use an appropriate pesticide or organic control method.

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