For those new to keeping houseplants, getting the watering right can be one of the most difficult problems to overcome. It's perfectly normal for a Monstera to drop some of its lower foliage if it has grown new, better leaves. GoodKingOmelas 3 yr. ago Not only will the leaves droop, curl and turn upside down, but the stems will start to bend. Place the pot in indirect sun and dont water it again until the top 1-2 inches are dry. Avoid overfertilization 3. Be sure to use something soft like twine or yarn so you dont damage the stem. Alternatively, you should use filtered or. If it is not, then its time to give your plant a thorough watering. Monstera plants prefer bright, indirect light, so if it is receiving too much direct sunlight, the leaf may turn upwards in an attempt to reduce its exposure. Additionally, the lack of structural support can cause downturned leaves. It does grow upright initially, but then it naturally will trail over the side of the pot. 7 Causes of Monstera Leaves Curling (And How to Fix Them) If your Monstera plant is on the larger side, gravity begins to take over and cause it to grow sideways, leaving your plant with leaves downturned, and sometimes, stems trailing on the floor. Why are monstera leaves pointing down? | Explained Counter this by adding a little water at a time, giving the soil plenty of time to absorb the water. Well, there may be a number of reasons why monstera leaves are curling up. Monsteras like bright indirect light, so if its been sitting in direct sunlight for too long, the leaves will begin to droop. Indoor plants will always grow toward the light. Immediately check your room temperature. Regularly dust your Monstera with a rag, feather duster, or even makeup brush. Dry soil is certainly not a suitable environment for them. So, if youre growing this plant indoors and its falling over or leaning, Fixing a leaning or lopsided plant is surprisingly simple. As an affiliate of retailers(like Amazon), we earn from qualifying purchases. Alexander Picot is the principal creator of TheGrowingLeaf.com, a website dedicated to gardening tips. Some other signs of insufficient sunlight for a Monstera plant may include: Moving the Monstera to a brightly-lit area in your home is essential if your indoor Monstera plants leaves are facing down due to insufficient sunlight. Be sure to choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one so that the roots dont have too much space to spread out. . Furled monstera leaves are very delicate and should never be unfurled by hand. The possible causes of monstera leaf curling or flipping upside down can easily be controlled to keep your plant happy and healthy. Take the plant and the root ball out of the pot and drench it in the sink until the water is fully draining from the base of the plant. Our website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can fix an over-fertilized Monstera plant that started to curl up by. Why are monstera leaves pointing down? Likewise, if its being overwatered, you may want to remove the rootball and allow that soil to dry. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'gardeningwithallie_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardeningwithallie_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Monstera deliciosa plants need well-draining soil and will thrive in mixes that include perlite, peat moss, or other pebbly, airy elements. Bloomsprouts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Because of its tropical origin, the monstera plant is very forgiving when it comes to water and sunlight requirements, making it an ideal addition to any indoor garden. In addition, apart from its sad-looking leaves, the drooping plant otherwise looks quite healthy. Be sure you choose a pot with plenty of drainage holes at the bottom and a catch basin to collect excess water. Well, in this case, you might be causing the leaves to curl by overwatering instead. In addition to the tropical aesthetics, monstera plants add to a room or home garden; monstera deliciosas are known for their high levels of oxygen production and indoor air circulation. And again, the defense mechanism is triggered due to a lack of water and nutrients. Although Monstera deliciosa plants are relatively simple to care for, there are some care steps to follow to avoid negatively affecting your monsteras health. How to Trim a Monstera Deliciosa: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow Knowing where your plant originates from can tell you a great deal about what conditions it needs and these plants come from the south of Mexico and Central America where they thrive in damp tropical forests. If youve ever noticed your Monstera leaves pointing down, youre not alone. However, the pests that monsters are more susceptible to are often so small that they go unnoticed until theyve become an issue. You can also rely on modern technologies such as a single probe soil moisture meter to tell you when its time to water. To check on the root ball, it is best to slide the entire plant out of its container. Read on to learn more about care for monstera deliciosa and similar plants. If your plant is looking a little droopy, there are several things you can do to perk it up. Finally, try staking up your monstera with bamboo or other sturdy sticks. Some other symptoms that a stressed-out Monstera plant may show include: Lastly, if your Monstera plant has a pest problem, its likely to cause the leaves to face down. Because bright, indirect sunlight is a bit more challenging to achieve, especially for five hours a day, many indoor Monstera plants dont receive the sunlight needed daily. Remember that while ripened monstera fruit is edible and delicious, the plant itself and its unripened fruit can be toxic to humans and animals. You may also detect a rotting smell from the soil, and this can signal the presence of root rot, which is very bad news indeed. Another sign your plant is getting too much sunlight is wilting. Monstera plants curl when under-watered or when their leaves cannot obtain enough moisture from the air in their environment. And stressed roots can cause a lot of additional problems for the plant. Move it to a brighter spot and see if that helps. Monstera plants hail from the tropical forests of Mexico and South America, and they prefer hot, humid environments. Monstera's split leaves evolved to let the sun through. With a little time and care, your Monstera will be back to its beautiful self in no time! When you move it from a cool air-conditioned room to a warm outdoor environment, Monstera will show signs of heat stress within the first few hours. So, if youre growing this plant indoors and its falling over or leaning, there is nothing wrong with your plant. Cold water can shock the roots and cause leaves to droop. If a monstera plant is over or under-watered, its leaves may curl, flipping, or bend in response. Your Monstera leaves facing down could be because of one of the following reasons: The lack of water is the most common reason Monstera leaves begin to droop and face down. Monstera leaves drooping is most commonly due to lack of water. You should repot regularly every 2 to 3 years. Here are the 5 steps to properly repot a Monstera plant: Make a potting mix: potting soil, perlite, bark. Treat diseases 6. Monsteras need the right balance of macronutrients and micronutrients to grow their best. Monstera Leaves Curling: 8 Reasons, Signs and How to Fix - Bloomsprouts (7 Simple Solutions). If your monstera stem is bending, there are a few things that could be irritating the plant: improper pot size, overwatering, or soil that is so dense it cant drain properly. The rest of this article will dive deeper into the characteristics of monstera plants, what causes them to bend, droop, or curl, and what you can do to fix it. To use a single plant stake, hammer a stake roughly six inches into the ground right next to the plant. The majority of the bugs will be washed off this way. The three main reasons your monstera may be bending, drooping, or curling are inadequate water supply, incorrect amounts of sunlight, and improper soil drainage. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Make sure to be even more attentive than normal to your Monstera for several weeks after repotting to make sure it settles into its new home. This method works perfectly for the Monstera because it's suited for plants with large foliage. Hi, Im Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. If your Monstera plant is drooping for reasons other than more severe health problems, there are easy ways to get the plants leaves to stand up. Some other common signs of too much sunlight on your Monstera plant include: If this is the case for your plant, you must move it away from the direct sunlight. The biggest difference between the two is that. Plants that are wilted in the afternoon will often perk back up at night and look perfectly happy by morning. However, its also essential to provide your plant with all of the necessary aspects it needs to thrive, including: Monstera leaves facing down can be a bit startling. Monsteras are native to the rainforests of Central and South America, where they often grow as epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants). Bent stems on Monstera in the Ask a Question forum To ensure your monstera plant can thrive, follow these suggestions: Does Losing Leaves or Having Curled and Droopy Leaves Mean That the Philodendron Plant Is Dying? Identifying the problem is the most important step to nursing your plant back to health. This also occurs when plants have too much water. Monstera leaves drooping after repotting is more likely if the roots were in bad shape, or if they were damaged during the repotting process. Next, you can start rotating. An infestation of these pests can cause flipping or curling of the monsteras leaves because they will absorb the water and nutrients from the plant and its soil, causing dehydration and malnutrition. Unlike a wilting plant however, a drooping plant is not necessarily dry or browning. Fixing a leaning or lopsided plant is surprisingly simple. Growth like this requires a regular supply of nutrients so feed them fortnightly with a general-purpose fertilizer during all but the winter months. However, unlike bending in a monstera plant, drooping can result from too much or too little water. If neither of those solutions seem to be helping, its possible that your plant has pests. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. You can check to see if youve overwatered your monstera plant by placing your fingers 1-2 inches (2.5 5 cm) down into the soil. Monstera Deliciosa Care (A Detailed Guide) - Mr.Houseplant If the soil is moist, move the pot into bright indirect light and avoid watering until the top layer of soil dries out. When this happens, ensure that the plants container has appropriate drainage without being too dry, and consider adapting your watering schedule. If your plant is leaning towards the light, there is a very simple way to fix the issue. Avoid cutting or damaging the stem. Related Questions. How do you stop Philodendron Brasil from reverting? Prune regularly: Another way to help keep your monstera upright is to prune it regularly. Give it time: If youve just transplanted your monstera, it may take a little time for it adjust and start producing new growth. Otherwise, the roots will sit in soggy soil and could rot, causing the leaves to droop. How to check if the leaves curling is due to underwatering: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'bloomsprouts_com-box-4','ezslot_2',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bloomsprouts_com-box-4-0');Also read:Monstera Water Requirements: How often should you water a Monstera? If the roots are weak or damaged, they wont be able to support the plant properly and it will continue to sag. These plants are subject to attack from the usual sap-sucking suspects that affect most indoor foliage plants; namely mealy bugs and red spider mites. Decapitated Monstera Deliciosa in the Houseplants forum Make sure you use a well-draining mix and water regularly to prevent the roots from sitting in wet soil, which can lead to root rot. One or more of these issues can cause major damage to your plant over time but can be resolved quite easily if you know what to look for. and I'm a green thumb. Whilst Monstera plants are fairly forgiving in this regard, remember that these plants are tropical so they dont like to get too cold. So, read on! Be alert to any source of cold drafts which can cause your plant considerable stress and lead to your Monstera leaves drooping. This will lead to severe root damage which prevents nutrients and water from being absorbed. I like to do this at the same time with several other plants to be efficient. Why Monstera leaves are deformed and drooping. Some other signs and symptoms of underwatering a Monstera include: Dont automatically assume the worst when your Monstera plants leaves face down. Place the stakes in the pot so theyre evenly distributed around the plant, then tie the stems of your monstera to the stakes using soft gardening twine. Leave the plant there until the top 1-2 inches are dried out before watering again. If the soil is constantly wet, it can cause the stems to weaken and the leaves to droop. A healthy, happy Monstera has deep green, waxy leaves (though younger plants or new leaves may be lighter green). What you can do about it to make your monstera's leaves beautiful and healthy again! Changes in leaf color and texture can signify an insect problem. In addition, extensive use of tap water accumulates the salt build-up which will kill your Monsteras root tips and make them more susceptible to root rot. A successful option used by many plant parents is a moss pole. Doing this will help support the plant and keep it upright. One possibility is that youre simply overwatering your plant. Monstera deliciosa are some of the easiest house plants to care for, so what some monstera growers may be wondering is why a monstera plants leaf is upside down. Therefore, knowing the reasons will help you spot which one applies to your Monstera plant and understand how to fix it. These plants can get big so they require plenty of nutrients. Although not as common as under-watering, it is possible to overwater your Monstera plant. Hi, Everybody! Over-fertilizing will cause crusty build-up on the edges of your pot or even on the surface of the soil. If the plant goes too long without adequate water, even the roots will begin to suffer, and the leaves will begin to curl and die. This is where the majority of the pests will be hiding. 3. A high oxygen producing plant that prefers indirect light and minimal watering. Fortunately, theres a simple fix for this: just rotate it. Monstera Dubia (Monstera Dubia) The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak This lesser-known variegated monstera species, sometimes called the shingle plant, has small heart-shaped leaves. Keep your climbing vegetables well mulched. The more humid the growing conditions are, the better your Monstera will do. When the humidity in a room is low, leaves on monstera plants will lose more water than normal and start to curl up. Be sure you're not over or underwatering your plant. They grow huge leaves to capture as much sunlight as possible in the shady rainforest, and those leaves are heavy. If you think your plant is not getting enough water, try giving it a deep watering. It can be tempting to assume that if you place your plant in a large pot with more potting soil, then it will have more space to expand into. Because a monstera can grow quite abundantly, propagating it can be a great way to share the love of this houseplant. Tap water comes with chlorine and fluoride, which are added to help stop the spread of germs. 9 Reasons Your Monstera Leaves Are Curling (And How To Fix It) Visible roots (most likely meaning the plant is root-bound, leading to stress on the roots). First, you should turn the plants leaning side away from the light until it levels out and returns to a neutral position. If your Monstera stems are drooping, it is probably because they are not getting enough light. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thegrowingleaf_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thegrowingleaf_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Whatever the reason, if your Monstera plant is stressed, it will commonly show it through downturned leaves, as well as a variety of other ways. Monstera leaves have been known to curl up as a defense mechanism in response to insufficient water absorption. Moss poles are ideal for this. If you think you have been a little too generous, flush the soil with water by running water through it for 5-10 minutes. Other vital symptoms that indicate a pest problem in a Monstera plant include: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thegrowingleaf_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thegrowingleaf_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Even though your Monstera plant may not show any other signs of a pest problem, you must watch the plant closely just in case.