Why does my Monstera have brown tips? (And How To Fix It) – ISPUZZLE

The leaves of monstera houseplants have brown tips.

Monstera or the “Swiss Cheese” plant is known for its large, shiny leaves with a unique pattern, but it’s especially intimidating to see the tips of those leaves turning brown.

But hi! Plant talk and brown dots are definitely their way of pointing out the specific issues they are likely to be suffering from!

Brown tips on Monstera leaves are usually linked to a lack of adequate light and water. The accumulation of salt in the soil, over time, also burns the tips of the leaves. Additionally, low humidity and tap water high in fluoride and chlorine can cause brown monstera tips.

So stick with me as I walk you through the three most likely causes that can burn your Monstera buds.

Contents

Excessive exposure to light

While Monstera needs bright light to keep its beautiful shiny leaves, too bright light can also burn the tips of the leaves and cause them to turn brown. This is common in the summer when the days are longer, the sun is too bright, and your plant is too close to a window.

You can investigate by looking carefully to see if sunlight from the window is shining directly on your monster’s leaves. If so, move your plant to another location, perhaps a little away from the window where it can get lots of bright light, but away from direct sunlight.

This should prevent the other leaves from developing brown tips. But what if your Monstera leaves have brown tips?

Then it’s time to investigate our second prime suspect!

water underwater

The tips of Monstera leaves will turn brown if their water requirements are not sufficiently met. Although these plants prefer to be completely dry between waterings, water them regularly.

Ideally, stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep to see if it’s wet or completely dry. You should only water it when the soil seems dry.

However, Monstera likes a strong drink every 1-2 weeks. But this water absorption depends a lot on the light it receives. If your Monstera is near a window and receives more than 4 hours of indirect sunlight, you should water it weekly.

Water it thoroughly until you see water coming out of the bottom. This ensures that the root ball is completely moist. As a result, your monster will stand up!

Some Monstera varieties curl their leaves when they really need a drink.

But what if your Monstera gets enough light and the root ball isn’t very dry, but your Monstera leaves are still developing brown tips? I suggest you move on to suspect number three.

salt buildup

Salt buildup is a common problem and occurs when soil particles become high in sodium. This slows down or possibly alters the growth of plants, the beginning of which is the brown tip of the leaves.

In other words, the roots absorb the water that passes through the cell membrane, but when the water is too salty, it cannot pass through the membranes. This helps keep the roots dry.

Have you ever encountered a situation where even after giving it enough water, your Monstera is not growing at the rate you expect? Indeed, even if the ground seems wet, the roots at the bottom are probably completely dry.

The roots do not receive enough oxygen and dry out due to water loss. Eventually the plant becomes waterlogged and brown leaf tips and pot root rot are inevitable.

Here are the two culprits that cause salt buildup:

Water quality

Water also contributes to the accumulation of salt. Regular tap water, commonly referred to as “hard water”, contains high amounts of chlorine, sodium and fluoride which bind to the soil, prevent water infiltration, accumulate salt and brown the tips of leaves. monstera.

fertilizer

The use of fertilizers also leads to an accumulation of salt in the soil of the pot. Indeed, chemical fertilizers are known to accelerate plant growth by providing an immediate supply of nutrients to the roots.

Its excessive use not only contributes to the accumulation of salt, but sometimes also damages the plant and causes the leaves to turn brown. Ideally, Monstera is content to be fertilized only twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer.

How to get rid of salt buildup on your Monstera?

Look for white deposits around the top edge of the pot or in the bottom of the pot near the drainage holes. This crispy white buildup contains all the salt from the water and fertilizer that the plant doesn’t use and accumulates in the pot.

To get rid of salt buildup, it is recommended to leach the floor. Basically, it is a thorough flushing of the potting soil. You can empty the salt from your Monstera jar using twice the amount of water in the jar.

You just need to take the plant out or place it in the kitchen or bathroom sink. you can also use a tub or a bucket for this. Now you can pour water on the soil, soak it completely and let the water run slowly over the plant.

Normally, it takes 15-20 minutes for the salt particles to break down and break through the bottom of the container.

The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources recommends “washing the container floor every three to six months” to prevent salt buildup.

You can also remove the top layer of soil 1/4 to 1 inch from the pot. This will rid the plant of excess salt that has accumulated in the top layer of soil. You can then cover your plant with fresh potting soil.

Once the soil is freed from unused salts and minerals, it is aerated and promotes air circulation around the root ball.

The roots breathe in oxygen and this provides energy to the leaves. As a result, unlike old leaves, new Monstera growth will not have brown tips.

You may also like: Why does my Monstera have small leaves?

Some other causes of brown spots on Monstera are:

lack of humidity

Monstera generally prefers humidity which is hard to reach indoors. Too much dry air can cause Monstera tips to turn brown. Spraying the leaves at least once a week should help with this problem.

Inadequate soil

Well-drained soil is extremely important for healthy plants. If the soil is not light and porous enough, it will retain water for a long time, causing root rot.

Monstera, in particular, thrives in well-drained soil. Adding perlite, charcoal, and bark to the potting mix will keep the soil light and provide good drainage.

You may also be interested in: Why Do Monstera Leaves Curl? (And how to fix it)

How to Prevent Monstera Brown Tips

A few helpful tips for keeping the large fresh green leaves of a Monstera healthy and avoiding brown tips:

Give your Monstera lots of light

⦿Place your Monstera in a north or east facing window for bright light. Or place it near a south or west facing window for more indirect light.

⦿You can also use plant-specific grow lights.

Monstera will thrive in good quality water.

⦿Use distilled water or rainwater for your Monstera.

⦿Try a bottom-up method to water your plant. Fill a container with water and place your Monstera pot in it and soak the plant in water for 15 to 30 minutes. This way, the roots of the plant have the opportunity to drink immediately, unlike traditional watering from above. I bet Monstera would rather take a relaxing bath than a cold shower.

Monstera prefers humidity

⦿Use a humidifier to keep it hydrated.

⦿Keep it closer to your other plants to increase humidity.

⦿Keep a tray of pebbles near your Monstera and mist it daily.

⦿Move your Monstera to a daytime bathroom with higher humidity than anywhere else in the house.

Prevent Salt Buildup

⦿Fill the watering can with water one day before it’s time to water your Monstera. Leave this box filled with water on the counter for a day. This way the chlorine and fluoride in the water will dissipate and you can use it to water your beautiful monster plant.

⦿Use slow-release organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, make sure the solution goes through the soil and drains out the bottom. Ideally, Monstera is content to be fertilized only twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer.

You may also be interested in: Why Does My Monstera Have Brown Spots? (And how to fix it)

frequently asked Questions

Should I cut the brown tips off my plant?

Yes, you should cut the brown buds off your plant. But that doesn’t mean you have to cut the whole sheet. Instead, just cut off the golden tip. The blade automatically adjusts to maintain its original shape and structure.

How often should you water a Monstera?

Monstera should be watered once a week in the summer when it is actively growing. During the winter months, the rest period of the plants, it can be without water for up to 3 weeks.

Why is my Monstera Adansonii curling?

Plants cower when they go into survival mode due to lack of water. Sufficient watering should solve this problem.

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