9 Secret Culprits Behind Monstera’s Brown Spots (Solved!)

Brown spots on your Monstera? Spotting brown spots on those lovely leaves can be concerning. Don’t worry, it happens to most of us when we do planting!

But Why Does My Monstera Have Brown Spots? Brown spots are often a sign that something is wrong with your Monstera’s care routine. They can be caused by issues like improper watering, too much or too little light, low humidity, or even pests. To fix, water more deeply when the top inch of soil dries out. Avoid harsh sun and consider misting the leaves for extra moisture.

Want to know more about the reasons and solutions? Get your answer by spending two more minutes here!

9 Main Causes of Brown Spots on Monstera Leaves

Tiny brown spots on Monstera leaves are a true mess for plant enthusiasts! If you see such a condition, the following are the reasons behind it –

1. Overwatering: We all want to keep our plants happy, but sometimes too much water can drown the roots. This makes it hard for the plant to drink, leading to brown, mushy spots. Check the soil with your finger before watering – if the top inch is dry, it’s thirsty!
2. Underwatering:  Just like you, your Monstera gets thirsty too! If it’s been a while since a drink, the leaves might get crispy brown edges or spots. Give it a good soak when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.
3. Sunburn: Monsteras love bright light, but too much direct sun is like a bad sunburn for them, causing brown scorch marks. Try moving your plant to a spot with indirect sunlight.
4. Dry Air: Tropical Monsteras prefer humidity like a fancy spa day. If the air is dry, the leaves might get crispy brown edges. Help it out with a pebble tray filled with water or a humidifier.
5. Tiny Pests: Keep an eye out for sneaky pests like spider mites or thrips. These little guys can munch on your Monstera, leaving brown spots or marks. If you see them, treat the plant with an insecticide or neem oil solution.
6. Nutritional Deficiencies: Just like us, Monsteras need a balanced diet! Not enough nutrients can show up as brown spots on the leaves. A balanced fertilizer during spring and summer can help.
7. Aging Gracefully: Even the best Monstera leaves get a bit older and show some brown spots over time. This is normal, especially on the lower leaves. You can trim these off if they look bad.
8. Temperature Tantrums: Extreme hot or cold temperatures can stress your Monstera, leading to browning leaves. Keep it away from cold drafts, radiators, or super sunny windows.
9. Physical Damage: Sometimes accidents happen. If you bump your Monstera a lot, the leaves might turn brown at the bruised spot. Be gentle when moving your plant around.

How to Treat Brown Spots on Monstera Leaves?

Thinking about how to remove the brown spots on new Monstera leaves or stems? It’s just one step behind! Lemme share the guide to fix with prevention tips for such conditions in your plants.

When the problem is overwatering –

• Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Stick your finger into the soil and only water when the top 2-3 inches are dry.
• Consider repotting the plant into a well-draining soil mix if the current soil is staying too wet.
• Remove any mushy, rotten roots and damaged leaves.

If it’s underwatering –

• Water the plant thoroughly, allowing the excess to drain out the bottom of the pot.
• Set a consistent watering schedule, checking the soil moisture regularly.
• Bottom water the plant by placing the pot in a dish of water and allowing it to soak up moisture from the bottom.

To care for sunburn –

• Move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light or filtered sunlight.
• Gradually acclimate the plant to higher light levels if you want to increase the light exposure.
• Prune off any severely scorched leaves.

If it’s dry air –

• Use a pebble tray or humidifier to increase humidity around the plant.
• Group plants together to create a microclimate with higher humidity.
• Mist the leaves regularly with a spray bottle filled with water.

To remove tiny pests –

• Inspect the plant carefully, looking for signs of pests like webbing, small specks, or damage.
• Treat with an insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other appropriate insecticide.
• Isolate the affected plant from others to prevent spreading.

When you ensure it’s nutritional deficiencies –

• Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
• Check for specific deficiency signs (e.g., yellowing for nitrogen) and adjust fertilizer accordingly.
• Flush the soil occasionally to prevent salt buildup.

For aging problem –

• Prune off any unsightly older leaves to encourage new growth.
• Provide proper care to promote healthy new foliage.

Temperature Troubles require solutions like –

• Move the plant away from drafts, heating/cooling vents, or very hot/cold windows.
• Maintain a consistent temperature between 65-85°F (18-29°C).

For physical damage –

• Be gentle when moving or handling the plant.
• Prune off any damaged or brown leaves.
• Provide optimal care to promote new, undamaged growth.

See the video to get more help to fix Monstera brown spots in leaves.

FAQs

Have more questions in mind about brown spots in Monstera leaves? Check out these queries!

Q: Should I remove the leaves with brown spots?

A: It’s not essential. If the spots are small, you can leave them. For large or unsightly spots, you can trim the affected parts of the leaves.

Q: What deficiency causes brown spots on leaves?

A: Potassium deficiency in plants causes brown spots on leaves.

Q: Can fertilizer cause brown spots in Monstera?

A: Yes, too much fertilizer can burn Monstera roots, causing brown spots on leaves. Reduce fertilizer use and flush the soil to avoid future problems.

Q: My Monstera has brown spots, but the soil feels dry. What could be wrong?

A: It could be a sign of inconsistent watering. Deep watering infrequently can leave the top dry while the roots are underwatered. Try watering thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes, then wait for the soil to dry before repeating.

Q: I’ve fixed the cause of the brown spots, but will the leaves heal?

A: Unfortunately, brown spots won’t disappear completely. However, the plant can recover and produce healthy new growth. You can trim away the badly affected parts of leaves for a neater appearance.

Summary

The day I noticed the first brown spot on my Monstera’s leaf, I was determined to get to the root of the problem. So, you should do the same! Get to know the causes, first! Then, by ensuring proper watering, ideal lighting, humidity, and pest control, those brown spots became a thing of the past.

The guide to fixing brown spots in Monstera plants is worth it! Do follow the tips and make your Monstera lively one more time. My Monstera’s journey taught me the importance of paying close attention to a plant’s needs for optimal growth. Stay active for your ones as well!