---
title: "Okay plant friends. I need some advice. I got this guy 3 years ago as…"
description: "Okay plant friends. I need some advice. I got this guy 3 years ago as a baby from Etsy and it has grown so so much. The leaves have started turning black some…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA/bQbKVnHXR5SIAb81DWDMOQ"
community: "Monstera Maniacs"
author: "Hannah W"
published: "2024-07-22T02:04:24.228568Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t_SDg90u3ecp58BMtfPJAHmO62rNtEFg_VaiGnalBkE/5nK8622dSr2I3ivrEgxQRQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Okay plant friends. I need some advice. I got this guy 3 years ago as…

_Posted by Hannah W on 2024-07-22_

Okay plant friends. I need some advice. I got this guy 3 years ago as a baby from Etsy and it has grown so so much. The leaves have started turning black some and there’s these brown steps that are growing out of it. The climbing pole has helped some but it looks all weird. Why?! Any thoughts and advice would be great

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t_SDg90u3ecp58BMtfPJAHmO62rNtEFg_VaiGnalBkE/5nK8622dSr2I3ivrEgxQRQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t_SDg90u3ecp58BMtfPJAHmO62rNtEFg_VaiGnalBkE/usDz2LrSRUe75nbJG7QGvg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t_SDg90u3ecp58BMtfPJAHmO62rNtEFg_VaiGnalBkE/qxZc-8ZjR_6cRIihbSE_VQ.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### PlantMum commented on 2024-07-22

If the leaves are turning black and are mushy, I would definitely repot to check for root rot. Monsteras like to be pot bound and that pot seems a bit big for the plant, which could also lead to rot, but the only way to know if it’s rot would be to repot.

#### Hannah W replied on 2024-07-22

Thank you! 🙂

### eatyacarbs commented on 2024-07-22

Root rot! Smaller pot like PlantMum suggested and a much chunkier more well draining substrate. monstera roots need oxygen. Cut away anything black/mushy/smelly

#### Hannah W replied on 2024-07-22

Thank you! Any suggestions on a draining substrate?

#### PlantMum replied on 2024-07-22

I like to use a mixture of potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite

#### eatyacarbs replied on 2024-07-22

I have mine in something like PlantMum suggested — big orchid bark chunks in mine \& lots of perlite in the fox farm ocean forest base. But I know people go waaay chunkier than that. you could use a coco coir base…Look up aroid mixes to get a better visual idea of what you could try 😊

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