Plant Care

Monstera Leaves Curling: Diagnosis and Solutions

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Curling monstera leaves signal stress from humidity, watering, or environmental issues. Quick diagnosis and targeted fixes restore healthy growth.

TTerrence "TJ" Johnson

October 30, 2025

Monstera deliciosa with curled leaves showing stress symptoms requiring diagnosis and treatment — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Curling monstera leaves indicate low humidity, underwatering, or heat stress. Increase humidity to 50-60% and check soil moisture levels.

TL;DR

Monstera leaves curling indicates low humidity (most common), underwatering, heat stress, or pest damage. Check humidity first—increase to 50-60% with a humidifier. Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry. Move away from heat sources and inspect for spider mites on leaf undersides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my monstera leaves curling inward?

Monstera leaves curling inward indicates low humidity, underwatering, or environmental stress. Check humidity levels first—monsteras need 50-60% humidity to thrive. If your home's humidity is below 40%, install a humidifier near the plant. Also check if soil is dry 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) deep, which signals underwatering. Heat sources like vents or radiators within 6 feet (2m) can also cause defensive curling.

Should I mist my monstera if the leaves are curling?

Light misting can help temporarily, but it's not a permanent solution for curled leaves. Mist only in the morning so leaves dry before evening to prevent fungal issues. However, misting only raises humidity for 1-2 hours. A humidifier provides consistent moisture levels that actually solve the curling problem. If you must mist, do it 2-3 times weekly maximum and focus on increasing overall room humidity instead.

How long does it take for curled monstera leaves to recover?

New healthy growth appears in 2-4 weeks, but existing curled leaves rarely flatten completely. Focus on new leaf development as your recovery indicator rather than expecting damaged leaves to return to normal. Full plant recovery takes 2-3 months with consistent proper care. Severely curled leaves may remain partially deformed but should stop worsening once environmental conditions improve.

Can overwatering cause monstera leaves to curl?

Yes, but the curling pattern is different from other causes. Overwatered monsteras develop upward curling or cup-shaped leaves that feel soft and mushy, not dry and crispy. Overwatering also causes yellowing that starts with newer leaves first, plus fungus gnats around the soil. Check for dark, mushy roots and soil that stays wet for 2+ weeks between waterings. If confirmed, reduce watering frequency and improve drainage immediately.

Will cutting off curled leaves help my monstera recover?

Only remove severely damaged leaves that are more than 50% brown and crispy. Partially curled but still green leaves are still photosynthesizing and helping the plant recover. Each leaf removed reduces the plant's energy production capacity. Focus on fixing environmental conditions first, then remove only leaves that are clearly dying. Use clean pruning shears and cut at the base of the leaf stem to prevent disease entry.

NEW PLANT DAILY

Think you know your plants?

Test your botanical knowledge with a new plant identification challenge every day. Build your streak, learn fascinating plant facts, and become a plant identification expert!

Build your streak

One chance per day

Learn as you play

Free account required • Takes less than 30 seconds

Tagged with

#monstera leaves curling #monstera leaf problems #monstera care tips #low humidity plants #houseplant troubleshooting #monstera environmental stress #plant humidity requirements #monstera watering problems #tropical plant care #monstera recovery guide

Written By

Terrence "TJ" Johnson

TJ stumbled into plant parenthood when a coworker gave him a neglected pothos. That single plant sparked an obsession that led him to quit his corporate marketing job and start a plant care service for busy professionals in Chicago. TJ maintains over 150 plants for residential clients and runs monthly plant swap meetups at local coffee shops. He's self-taught through YouTube, plant forums, and plenty of expensive mistakes (RIP to his variegated monstera). TJ specializes in troubleshooting common houseplant problems and is known for his blunt, no-BS advice: "Your plant isn't dying because Mercury is in retrograde—you're overwatering it." He's particularly skilled with finicky tropical plants like fiddle leaf figs and calatheas.