Worried about monstera - what's wrong? (With pics)

[Wonderfulcheapfalafel]

Hi, my previously very happy monstera has started to show some signs of being unwell...

Some of the lower leaves have turned yellow and dropped off, although I wasn't too worried about that as read that was part of natural process.

However, now some of the upper, larger leaves showing signs of browning/yellowing at edges, and the newest unfolding leaf looks very dodgy .

It's been in same position for months, has been fed and watered to same schedule over summer and produced loads of new leaves, so why is it unhappy now?
Internet very unhelpful - it's either getting too much/too little water, or too much/too little sunlight.
It is in a very sunny spot but has been fine up till last few weeks..
Don't want to lose it 😭 Help!

Do they like that much sun? I’d maybe move it back a bit. It’s so annoying when they’re fine and then they’re not.

I had some issues with lower leaves going yellow, which I think I've pinned down to happening when new leaves emerged. I figured that the new leaf growth was kind of sucking the nutrients out of the older leaves. I've been feeding mine lots over the past year and it seems to have fixed it.

I also had some new leaves that had black bits and trouble unfurling and that was definitely down to needing more water.

Leaves going brown and dying back from the tips is generally a shortage of water. At the roots and/or as a result of really low air humidity. Have you had the central heating on in recent weeks?

Can you pull it from its pot and check for root rot? Or to see if it's root bound? And it's a common misconception that monstera don't like a lot of light. They can survive in shadey areas but they really do thrive will a good light source and lots of humidity. I spray mine at least 2-3 times a week but I also have the plants say in a shallow tray with water in it to increase humidity. This is really important at this time of year as we are all starting to put the heating on and this sudden dry atmosphere can shock them. This will most certainly contribute to problems and low humidity can cause lead problems.

My variegated monstera do very well under artificial full spectrum grow lights. So do my calatheas but both species can survive in shaded areas, they just grow much slower.

I can never decide if I’m under or over watering (it’s usually over I’ve found), so I’ve started using a water measurer thing like this. Might help you see which way to go.

https://amzn.to/3tPeIlc

Thanks all, I stupidly potted it directly into the big ceramic pot, rather than in one I could take in and out easily so not that easy to check the roots... However I just wiggled my hand down in the soil and it was quite dry, so have given it a good water and a mist and cut the yellow bits off and have my fingers crossed!

@LookingForPurpose so jealous of your beautiful variegated monstera, I want one of these so much but they are sooooo expensive even for just a cutting!!!!

@Cheeesus that looks like a helpful little gadget , might treat myself!

mine is gone very spindly, leaves small and some yellow/brown on edges, and all are dull looking, I'm wondering if I should cut it, propagate and start again?...

@localnotail this is my big one's 'baby'...

Whoops picture fail!

I might turn mine into babies... it looks very unwell

@localnotail

It's important to give your monstera a waggle every week, or have a fan pointed at it for a few hours every 3-4 days. It really helps to strengthen the new growth and produce a thick stem. Leaves need to be wiped down every 3-4 weeks to help with photosynthesis. If you have a plant that is struggling but it has aerial roots, get some aerial root tubes to propagate the roots before you cut it up to separate. Gives it a much better chance and often the boost is enough to help it recover. If you repot, always use mycorrhizal fungi to supplement the roots. It makes a HUGE difference.

This is another one of my variegated albos. I connected the aerial root tubes and the two top leaves arrived within 4 weeks. This one was a 4 leaf plant in march so is doing really well. They sprout leaves like no business in a warm Sunny spot but they do need high humidity/daily spraying to ensure leaves develop and unfurl properly. I've just moved this one away from the lights to give it a bit of a break as it's been very busy producing leaves all summer. Mine enjoy time outside from May to September, under my gazebo so they have some shade and they enjoy that too.

@LookingForPurpose this is my poor plant (( It was really healthy but seemed to have gone downhill after last winter, my flat was a bit cold. It got a bit better over the summer - I had it on my semi-enclosed balcony - but still looks sad. What would be the best thing for it? Cut it into smaller bits and propagate?

@localnotail

You will never be able to save those leaves, it depends on wether you are happy with it as it is. You can cut the brown sections off and keep it add out OSS bit I do think it's thirsty. Your putting mix doesn't look like it's free draining enough. Ideally you want a really loose chunky mix that contains leca/stones/orchid bark and every week give it a total soak for 30 minutes and then remove it to drain. Spray the leaves with water 2-3 times a week and try to tie the top up with a longer moss pole.

You could absolutely cut it into sections, but I strongly recommend using either aerial test tubes or damp moss wrapped in cling film on any aerial roots near the cuts you are hoping to make. It really increases your chance of success. I've had 100% success doing this with my variegated plants . It was around 70% with just cut and then into water. High humidity and warmer temps and supplemental lighting will help the new growth for whatever method you use. Monstera also grow INCREDIBLY well in a vase/jar with just water and the right amount of feed added, once you have a few aerial roots established.