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Hi! I’m new to this app, looking for other houseplant nerds like me,… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Bob’s Beauties

Hi! I’m new to this app, looking for other houseplant nerds like me, but ones who actually know what they’re doing haha. I have had this monstera fern for over four years now, she used to grow fast, healthy, new leaves, but now she has stopped any new growth and has started to yellow and brown at tips. I’ve had to cut off several completely yellow leaves too. I repotted her over the past month to a larger ceramic pot with drainage, she had no root rot when I repotted but I was surprised by the small size of the root mass (for four years I was thinking it’d be a lot larger). I have her facing an east window, but I’m worried this is too much sun. Please Let me know what I can do to save her and help her, she’s my baby. My best friend in highschool gave her to me so she’s very important😭🌱🩷 Thank you soooo much!!! xoxo Katie

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5 likes 17 comments

17 comments

  1. Bob’s Beauties

    It’s no more than two inches in diameter bigger than the old pot, I really tried to fluff my soil too when repotting.

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  2. Bob’s Beauties

    It’s mostly miracle grow indoor potting mix, that I mixed with a tiny bit of miracle grow tropical indoor potting mix.

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    • Abbi

      For my monsteras I usually do 50/50 regular houseplant potting mix and perlite, and then add some bark to that yet.

      2 likes
    • Bob’s Beauties

      So by the appearance of her leaves and growth patterns, does it look like the soil is too compact with not enough perlite?

      1 like
    • Abbi

      If the problem is a fungus or just overwatering that can contribute to it. Regular potting soil retains moisture for longer than a chunkier mix and also makes it hard for the roots to breathe.

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  3. Bob’s Beauties

    I also have a humidifier that I just bought, should I be using that for my monstera? And how often? I have her logged into planta to maintain a watering schedule. Also should I be misting the top layer of soil like the app tells you too or mist the whole plant overall? Thank you sm sorry for the insane amount of questions I have! Xoxo

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    • Abbi

      They do like humidity. Don't mist the soil, mist the leaves. If you actually want to make a difference misting you're probably gonna have to mist several times a day. A humidifier definitely works better.

      2 likes
  4. KJM

    So let's start with the basics. Your soil might be a little heavy. Miracle-Gro is generally good generic potting mix but a monstera probably wants little looser soil. The mix suggested by Abbi is it good suggestion. Your pot size seems fine and you said it has drainage so that's good. Monsteras prefer warm humid environments. Temperatures no lower than 50 and they'll be happier if temps are above 60 and no hotter than 90°. You said you have a humidifier, I would run it everyday. I feel mine in the morning and let it run until I go to bed. Now if you live in a humid area that might be different. I live in Iowa so the furnace makes my house air quite dry in the winter. Grown as an indoor plant bright indirect light is good. As far as watering is concerned, stick your finger in the dirt and when it's dry to about 3 in give it a long slow drink until water drains from the bottom. Let it drain for 15 or 20 minutes and then place it back in its spot or at least drain the saucer if you're watering it in place. Monsteras are toxic to humans cats and dogs. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer 3 to 4 times a year. Now onto your problem with the yellowing leaves. The yellow Halo around the brown edge suggests a fungus which is often caused by overwatering. Remove any effective leaves and dry the plant down before watering again. I know that's a little lengthy but I figured I'd cover all the bases hope it helps.

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    • Abbi

      I fertilize more often than three or four times a year... thats probably all it NEEDS but they will grow faster with more.

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    • KJM

      I agree more often is probably better especially during the growing season but three to four times a year would be as you said minimum.

      1 like
  5. Sunny

    Consider whether it needed a larger pot if the root ball was not overgrown. These are tree climbers that don’t heavily rely on roots like non epiphytes. It looks overwatered. The soil mix recommended already should give better drainage to allow the soil to dry faster. Excess soil in a larger pot can add to whatever caused it to yellow in the first place. Note, repotting damages roots and it shows as dying or damaged leaves. I recommend giving it the bright light it was getting to help the photosynthesis process use up the water faster. 🪴🍀

    2 likes
  6. Bob’s Beauties

    Thank you to everyone who commented on my post, I’m going to trim the effected leaves, fluff the soil, and water it with some fertilizer drops, the soil is bone dry three inches down. I’m gonna set up the humidifier as well. Other note, does anyone have tips for how to prune dying leaves? Should I cut at the base of the leaf head or at the stem? Thanks sm, xoxo Katie

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