Droopy Monstera: Causes And Solutions

If you….

notice that you are starting to grow a droopy monstera you might be wondering what is going wrong! Whether it’s lighting, over or under-watering, or low humidity levels, your monstera plant drooping is a sign something is off. Here in this post, we will go through simple things to do to fix your droopy monstera, bring it back to life again, and keep it thriving!

What Are the Main Causes of a Droopy Monstera?

• Overwatering
• Underwatering
• Insufficient Light
• Low Humidity
• Root Rot

A droopy monstera can be from underwatering or overwatering. This can be slightly frustrating to figure out or know! To help figure out which one it is you can check your soil moisture and if it’s too moist water less frequently. If it’s on the drier side water more often. Adjust your watering routine accordingly.

How to Fix a Droopy Monstera Plant: Watering Tips for Healthy Growth

To revive your droopy monstera plant you want to keep your watering schedule consistent. If your soil is dry 2′-3′ deep you can water it well. If you accidentally let your soil dry out too much this can be the cause of drooping leaves. It needs water. If your monstera is turning brown or looking limp it needs water to fix the droopiness! Such a little issue for such a big deal to your plant!

Healthy roots are also an important part of fixing a droopy monstera. If your monstera is droopy another common cause is that it is suffering from root rot from overwatering. This happens when the roots sit in water consistently because your soil is too damp and you have no drainage holes. To heal root rot you need to remove any roots that have been affected. Repot your monstera in fresh soil that drains well.

When to Worry About a Droopy Monstera

The moment to worry about a droopy monstera is when the soil is over-dry. You want to keep a consistent watering routine to help keep your soil consistently and evenly moist. If your soil is very dry and you see your monstera going limp or looking sad and droopy this is because your soil is over dry. Water it so water runs through the drainage holes.

Common Mistakes Leading to Droopy Monstera Leaves

There are some common reasons why your monstera is going limp and droopy. These include

• Not getting enough water. This is the most common reason for a monstera to start looking droopy.
• Lack of light. A lack of bright indirect light is a common reason for drooping monsteras.
• Being overwatered.
• Your monstera roots are root-bound. This is when the pot is no longer big enough for growing roots to expand.
• It’s suffering from root rot.
• Cold damage or sudden drafts and cold breezes.
• Over fertilization.

Best Ways to Fix Droopy Monstera Leaves: Water, Light, and Soil Tips

How To Fix Droopy Monstera:

• Underwatered. This is the most common reason for a monstera to start looking droopy. Give it a good dunking of water until water flows through the bottom drainage holes.
• Lack of light. A lack of bright indirect light is a common reason for drooping monsteras. Place it somewhere it will get bright indirect sunlight for most of the day but avoid placing it right in the sun as this will cause sunburn on the foliage. A window with a sheer curtain is a great spot.
• Being overwatered. Let the soil dry out before watering and increase your time between your watering days. Make sure you have drainage holes at the bottom of your pot for excess water to run out to avoid root rot.
• Root bound. This is when the pot is no longer big enough to give adequate room for growing roots to expand. Repot your monstera in a bigger pot with fresh soil.
• It’s suffering from root rot. This is because your soil is too wet consistently and your roots are sitting in water. Repot your plant in a new container with drainage holes on the bottom, and add fresh soil. Make sure you have longer periods between your watering sessions to help keep evenly consistent soil moisture.
• Cold damage or sudden drafts and cold breezes. Make sure your monstera is not close to a fan, vent, or door. This can cause a sudden temperature shift.
• Over-fertilization. This is when you give your plant so much nutrients that it is overwhelmed! Fertilize every 4-6 weeks in the spring and summer and not in the fall and winter months as this is when your monstera plant is in its dormant phase.

Signs Your Droopy Monstera Needs More Light

Signs Your Monstera Needs More Light

No Splitting Of Leaves

Your monstera might not be getting enough light if its leaves do not have splits in them. This is a signature feature of the monstera plant. If it is lacking splits in the foliage move it somewhere it will get 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight a day. Avoid direct sunlight as this can cause leaf burn.

Soil Not Drying

If you notice your monstera soil is taking forever to dry out it needs more light. If the soil does not get enough light it can’t absorb the moisture which will leave your roots sitting in damp watery soil causing root rot down the road which is a whole other problem!

Leaf Discoloration

Your monstera needs more light if there is leaf leaf discoloration. Leaves need sunlight for photosynthesis and lack of this can cause your leaves to have spots, that go brown or yellow. Not a good look!

FAQ

Can Repotting Help a Droopy Monstera?

Depending on the cause of a droopy monstera, repotting will help a lot. If the issue is the soil being too wet and root rotting, then yes, repotting will help a lot. Make sure you use fresh soil and cut away any rotten roots before you replant.

Why Does My Monstera Keep Drooping After Watering?

This is because you are overwatering, which causes droopy leaves, wilted stems, and rotten roots. Keep your soil consistently moist but not damp. Repot in fresh soil and water less often.

How to Adjust Humidity Levels for a Drooping Monstera

Low humidity levels can cause a droopy monstera. Overwatering is a common cause but low humidity is equally important. Dry air can cause a droopy monstera, add a humidifier near your tropical plant or regularly mist the leaves. This will help bring back some humidity and moisture in the air for the foliage.

How to Identify Overwatering or Underwatering in a Droopy Monstera

An overwatered Monstera will have yellow discoloration that starts from the outer edge of the leaves. It spreads inwards until the leaf is fully yellow and will die if the watering doesn’t decrease. Overwatering your Monstera will also make it look droopy and the stems will usually bend downwards because of the saggy leaves.

To keep your droopy monstera happy and healthy again keep the soil moist but not damp and give it enough light. Sounds easy right?! With time you will learn the signs of your tropical plant and be able to grow a thriving indoor jungle for your neighbors to be jealous over!

Check out our Monstera care page for a complete Monstera plant guide!