---
title: "Should i cut this leaf off?"
description: "Should i cut this leaf off?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/NtaeffmHTbWJ48_OOdFzVA"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "cher mallory"
published: "2024-03-27T18:24:27.009855Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yDH3tTom3MKcvOwKlTqi_fRJuAknYyF4ygnAZUzwBUY/BWcYYk0jS-yyRGQsIEoIrQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Should i cut this leaf off?

_Posted by cher mallory on 2024-03-27_

Should i cut this leaf off?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yDH3tTom3MKcvOwKlTqi_fRJuAknYyF4ygnAZUzwBUY/BWcYYk0jS-yyRGQsIEoIrQ.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Plant Father commented on 2024-03-27

have you ever fertilized your monstera? if not i would highly suggest fertilizing weakly with every watering. i use about 1/8 strength fertilizer in winter and 1/4 strength during the growing season. if you don’t fertilize at all, monstera can quickly deplete the nutrients available in the potting soil and grow “ghost leaves” like this one since they don’t have any more nutrients to support new growth. i would suggest trimming it right above where the petiole (leaf stem) is still green since the next new leaf will come out of the petiole.

### BonzeyeLuvr commented on 2024-03-27

You want to remove anything that is not thriving. This will allow the plant to put its energy into new growth.

### Sunny commented on 2024-03-27

I fully agree with Plant Father. I use timed release fertilizer in the summer. It’s a little slower to spread. I also add a (1 inch layer) top dressing of cow manure each spring since my monstera’s roots and soil are very old. I don’t fertilize in winter. My monstera sits outside all year.

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