Monsteras are unique foliage plants that are commonly used for ornamental purposes. These favored house plants have vines that can trail over walls for easy nature-themed decoration.
The Monstera plant’s leaves have a distinct pattern with slits and holes known as fenestrations. It’s also a fairly low-maintenance plant that’s perfect for beginners since it can survive a few or occasional missed watering.
What’s more, is that you can easily save the plant from a dying state with just a few TLC steps. You just have to take note of certain signs of decaying to know which care you should apply.
It’s never a bad idea to have some safety measures in case of your plant’s declining health. On that note, let’s look at the different ways how to revive a dying Monstera plant.
How Can I Revive My Monstera Plant?
If you start to notice your Monstera plant slowly dying and withering away, don’t throw in the towel just yet. This plant is quite the fighter, and it can recover from such a condition, as long as you tend to its needs.
Your approach to saving your Monstera plant should always depend on its condition. Try to diagnose the cause of your plant’s sickness so you can give the proper fix.
A dying Monstera plant can have the following root causes:
- Lack of water
- Too much water
- Presence of pests
- Lack of humidity
- Inefficient lighting conditions
Here are the solutions recommended for the mentioned root causes:
Lack of Water
As much as Monstera plants have a high survivability rate in dry soil, there’s a limit to how long they can thrive in it. It’s no surprise since all living things need a certain amount of hydration to keep growing and sustaining themselves.
No worries, a dehydrated Monstera plant is one of the easiest to revive. As soon as you water the plant, its brown and weakening leaves should appear more vibrant and healthy in under 24 hours.
Whenever you water the plant, remember to fill up the soil until it drips under the pot. It’s also wise to remove the dead and discolored leaves after.
Too Much Water
One of the leading causes of death in most houseplants is giving them too much water. That’s why in most cases, you should only water houseplants whenever they need it.
If your Monstera plant’s soil is overly soaked most of the time, its supply of oxygen can get cut off. The roots will have a more difficult time absorbing oxygen to process nutrients which can lead to root rotting and decay.
If the plant is suffering from overwatering, the first thing you need to check is how much damage the plant’s roots have. To do this:
- Gently scoop off the soil surrounding the Monstera plant.
- Check the roots for any signs of rotting.
- If there are no root rots, you can place the plant back in the soil and wait for it to dry before watering.
- If there are only a few root sections affected, trim off the damaged roots.
- If almost the entirety of the plant’s roots feel mushy and start to become smelly, it may be best to replace the plant altogether.
Presence of Pests
Pest infestations always spell bad news for any type of plant. The most common insects that are attracted to Monstera plants include:
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs or scales
- Fungus gnats
- Thrips
- Aphids
Individual bugs may not seem like a huge problem at first, but once these pests group up, your plant will be at risk of dying. These sap suckers will steal all your plant’s nutrients and moisture, causing dehydration and nutrient deficiencies.
As soon as you spot a few pests, get rid of them immediately. Don’t let it grow into an infestation as it can take weeks to completely remove all the bugs in your Monstera plant.
You can remove the pests by spraying them off with some water, insecticidal soap, or diluted neem oil. To prepare your neem oil mixture:
- Add one to two teaspoons of mild dish detergent or liquid soap to a gallon of warm water.
- Mix thoroughly before slowly adding one to two tablespoons of neem oil. Combine all the ingredients well.
- Transfer into a spray bottle and lightly apply it to all of the Monstera plant’s surfaces. Don’t go overboard as it can cause the plant’s leaves to burn.
Lack of Humidity
Monsteras are tropical plants that are accustomed to warm and humid environments, such as rainforests. That’s why it’s important to keep the plant in an environment with at least 40% or higher humidity.
If the humidity conditions aren’t met, your Monstera plant may start to wilt and develop yellow to brown leaves. Here are the best ways to remedy this:
- Use a humidifier
- Place the Monstera plant on a pebble tray
- Mist the plant once or twice a week
- Group the Monstera with other houseplants
- Relocate the Monstera plant to your bathroom
- Keep the plant away from direct sunlight
If you’re living in an area where there are frequent and constant changes in temperature, it might be worth getting a hygrometer. This will help you keep track of the humidity in your home.
Inefficient Lighting Conditions
Since Monstera plants originate from tropical rainforests, they don’t do too well with harsh and direct sunlight, especially for extended periods.
If you let your plant sit too long in harsh light conditions, it may cause its leaves to get dehydrated and bleached or sunburned. You’ll also start to notice various leaf discolorations.
As for lack of light, the Monstera’s growth may become stunted and leggy. It also brings higher risks of overwatering since the soil tends to stay wet longer.
When you start to notice these symptoms, adjust the plant’s lighting conditions accordingly. A bright indirect light indoors or partial shade outdoors should keep the Monstera happy and healthy.
What Signs Should I Look For to Know My Monstera Plant Is Dying?
It’s ideal to be aware of which signs to look out for to save your plant before the situation gets worse. Depending on the root cause of why your plant is dying, certain symptoms will start to appear.
Even if the Monstera plant is low maintenance and can easily be revived, you shouldn’t wait for the symptoms to worsen. Giving the plant quick solutions can get it back on track to staying healthy and vibrant.
Here are the signs you should be wary of according to what’s causing the problem:
Root Cause | Plant Symptoms |
Lack of Water | The plant’s stems and leaves are drooping, Browning of leaves, Dry soil |
Too Much Water | Damp soil, Leaves start to turn yellow, The plant starts to ‘sweat’, Black or brown patches on the leaves, Roots are mushy and smelly |
Presence of Pests | Visible bugs on the plant, Leaves can have small holes |
Lack of Humidity | Droopy leaves, Leaves start to become crispy on the edges, Browning of the margins of the leaves |
Inefficient Lighting Conditions | Sunburned or bleached leaves, Stunted growth |
At the onset of these symptoms, try to apply the necessary solutions as soon as possible. Sometimes letting it be for too long can cause irreversible damage to the plant.
How Do I Take Care of My Monstera Plant?
It’s good to be well-equipped with a backup plan in case of emergency plant issues. However, prevention is still better than cure, so you might want to take note of some plant care methods to keep your Monstera from dying or getting sick.
The ideal setup to have for your Monstera plant is trying to mimic the conditions of a tropical environment.
You don’t have to replicate it down to the smallest details since that would be close to impossible. You just have to improvise with what you can have at home to keep the plant healthy.
Watering
The general rule of thumb for this is to water them at least once every week or two. Whenever you water the plant, make sure you do so until the water drains out of the pot’s drainage hole.
You can also determine if it needs extra watering by checking how dry the soil is.
Pest Control
You don’t necessarily have to apply any insecticides all the time. You just need to make sure the plant’s environment is clean enough to not accommodate any pests.
Since Monstera plants can grow huge leaves and vines, it’s recommended to dust off any dirt buildup on the plant’s surfaces. Also, avoid overwatering to reduce the risks of fungal infections in the roots.
Light Conditions
If the plant will stay outdoors, keep it away from direct sunlight. A bit of shade should be enough for it to get its healthy dose of light.
For indoor settings, use a medium or bright light source. Just don’t place the plant directly below it.
Temperature
Remember that at least 40% humidity is key! The ideal temperature range for a Monstera plant is between 65 to 85°F.
Having a hygrometer or thermostat can be handy to keep the temperature intact.
Final Thoughts
Monstera plants are one of the best choices for any plant beginners. However, you might start to panic if you see signs of the plant dying.
You can rest easy knowing that these conditions are easy to fix. You just need to watch your watering schedules, light conditions, and humidity levels.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.