---
title: "Ok plant friends - should I cut this whole leaf off or trim the white…"
description: "Ok plant friends - should I cut this whole leaf off or trim the white or leave it be? This is a Thai Con and has a lovely speckled leaf hardening off right…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA/K-jSSlNWQX2voBNJOWtQ4Q"
community: "Monstera Maniacs"
author: "Cemarshall"
published: "2024-07-04T13:30:01.242177Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/D2ZR5unTkhUP0J-A9TGr3TlLIF_PD9QRhJE91Yn-Gas/OhTlWj3QQF63rrO4umBeDw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Ok plant friends - should I cut this whole leaf off or trim the white…

_Posted by Cemarshall on 2024-07-04_

Ok plant friends - should I cut this whole leaf off or trim the white or leave it be? This is a Thai Con and has a lovely speckled leaf hardening off right now. I know the white browns due to lack of chlorophyll but I also really don’t like seeing big ‘ol brown spots on my plant. What would you do?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/D2ZR5unTkhUP0J-A9TGr3TlLIF_PD9QRhJE91Yn-Gas/OhTlWj3QQF63rrO4umBeDw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/D2ZR5unTkhUP0J-A9TGr3TlLIF_PD9QRhJE91Yn-Gas/WL4_7UwsRWCcWBHqd-ZUCw.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### MikeNeedsMorePlants commented on 2024-07-04

As a perfectionist myself, I understand the urge to get rid of any unsightly leaves, especially when they've browned. If your monstera has a lot of healthy leaves (i.e. not working off of just 3) there's no harm in removing one.

#### MikeNeedsMorePlants replied on 2024-07-04

BUT I challenge you (and all other plant owners) to let the leaf be and appreciate it with its flaws. If you cut this guy off, and another leaf gets a brown spot, and you cut that one off, and another leaf gets a brown spot, you'll just be shedding the plant of all its usable leaves

#### MikeNeedsMorePlants replied on 2024-07-04

My general rule of thumb is removing a leaf if 50% of it is brown or yellow, AND if the plant is producing new leaves. At that point I don't want my plant to be directing energy at a leaf that has a good chance of dying completely (I want it to go to growing new leaves) and I know for sure that there will be a "replacement" coming for the one I just took off.

Of course, it's your choice. Beautiful variegation by the way! 😁

#### send\_nodes replied on 2024-07-04

Well said!

#### Cemarshall replied on 2024-07-05

Thanks for all the great advice! It’s still a baby with only 3 mature(ish) leaves. I’ll leave it be and work through my discomfort of having a brown leaf… 😬 it makes sense that the rest of the leaf is still doing work to help out the rest of the plant.

### Amie206 commented on 2024-07-04

I would just trim the piece that is browning NOT the whole leaf as other parts of it are still doing their job 😊

#### MikeNeedsMorePlants replied on 2024-07-04

Never would have thought of this! OP just for extra caution I'd leave a small border of brown so that you're not creating a fresh wound on the leaf, which could encourage more browning. Disinfecting your shears with alcohol is also advised when cutting any part of your plants :)

#### Cemarshall replied on 2024-07-05

Good idea! I’ll try that. After disinfecting my scissors of course 😊 Thanks!

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