---
title: "Help!! Is this a normal part of the leaf sheaths drying up or is it…"
description: "Help!! Is this a normal part of the leaf sheaths drying up or is it an early stage of stem rot? I really love this monstera and don’t want it to die! The outer…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA/dLPQ4hFlQecqxC1SBBi4cK"
community: "Monstera Maniacs"
author: "TreeHugger"
published: "2026-09-25T12:37:01.979631Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ymkeh6gg2axjsbK5LL8eC4mb2kzXTp5SctajYYAblUA/YCdaEZWbRdy8d0GhWkGlsQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Monstera Maniacs](https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA.md)

# Help!! Is this a normal part of the leaf sheaths drying up or is it…

_Posted by TreeHugger on 2026-09-25_

Help!! Is this a normal part of the leaf sheaths drying up or is it an early stage of stem rot? I really love this monstera and don’t want it to die!

The outer edges of the most brown sheath are crispy (second photo) but the stem behind it feels like the same texture as the rest of the plant. It isn’t soft or mushy, but I’m worried it might be spreading? If it is, what should I do? It’s in normal potting soil with drainage.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ymkeh6gg2axjsbK5LL8eC4mb2kzXTp5SctajYYAblUA/YCdaEZWbRdy8d0GhWkGlsQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ymkeh6gg2axjsbK5LL8eC4mb2kzXTp5SctajYYAblUA/WVIdZ0UNTzWCHxZyX6343w.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ymkeh6gg2axjsbK5LL8eC4mb2kzXTp5SctajYYAblUA/ILvppbCGSd69EjEkKhEbaw.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Leanne commented on 2026-09-25

I’m pretty sure it’s normal. I asked AI because I thought something was wrong too.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mcPm93unQuQgRRdaWDVljvwLSzCgTNm-hDNSPx4_rBU/3-HCo_lSRsqSNJzn_lFIpg.webp?size=large)

### plantgeek commented on 2026-09-25

just sheaths drying :-) i'd be careful though, that soil looks quite dense.

### Amateur plant mama commented on 2026-09-25

I agree the sheaths have done their job. You can trim them up if you like.

### Mezza 🪴🌱 commented on 2026-09-26

Mine has done this too.  
I think it’s OK.

### Jessica commented on 2026-09-26

I agree with the soil comment.

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_