Plant Care

Monstera Leaves Turning Yellow: Causes and Fixes

Last updated: December 8, 2025

Yellow monstera leaves signal overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient issues—identify the cause fast and save your plant with proven fixes.

TTerrence "TJ" Johnson

December 8, 2025

Monstera yellow leaves being examined for overwatering and nutrient deficiency symptoms — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Yellow monstera leaves result from overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. Check soil moisture and water only when top 2 inches are dry.

TL;DR

Yellow monstera leaves typically indicate overwatering (most common), underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. Check soil moisture first—water only when top 2 inches (5 cm) are dry. Remove yellow leaves immediately as they won't recover, then address the root cause with proper watering schedule and monthly fertilization during growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my monstera leaves turning yellow?

Monstera leaves typically turn yellow due to overwatering (most common), underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. Overwatering causes lower leaves to yellow first with brown spots, while underwatering affects multiple leaves simultaneously. Check soil moisture first—water only when the top 2 inches (5 cm) are dry. Natural aging also causes the oldest leaves to yellow, which is completely normal for healthy plants.

Should I cut off yellow monstera leaves?

Yes, remove yellow leaves immediately using clean pruning shears. Yellow leaves won't turn green again and waste the plant's energy. Cut the leaf stem close to the main stem—never pull or twist leaves off as this damages the plant. Remove yellow leaves in the morning when plants are most hydrated, and sterilize tools between cuts if disease is suspected.

How often should you water a monstera?

Water monstera plants every 7-10 days during growing season when the top 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) of soil are dry. Reduce watering to every 2-3 weeks in winter. Frequency varies based on pot size, soil type, humidity, and season. Always check soil moisture rather than following a rigid schedule—overwatering is the leading cause of yellow leaves and plant death.

Can yellow monstera leaves turn green again?

No, yellow leaves cannot turn green again once the chlorophyll has broken down. The yellowing process is irreversible, so remove affected leaves promptly. Focus on addressing the underlying cause (overwatering, underwatering, or nutrients) to prevent new leaves from yellowing. Healthy new growth should appear green within 3-4 weeks of correcting care issues.

What does overwatering look like in monsteras?

Overwatered monsteras develop yellow lower leaves with brown or black spots, musty soil odor, and wet soil that stays moist for 5+ days. You may notice soft, mushy stems near the soil line, white mold on soil surface, or fungus gnats around the pot. Severe overwatering leads to root rot with brown, mushy roots. Stop watering immediately and check soil moisture before resuming normal care.

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Tagged with

#monstera care #yellow leaves #overwatering #plant problems #houseplant troubleshooting #monstera deliciosa #plant diagnosis #root rot #nutrient deficiency #plant rescue

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.