Why is My Monstera Drooping?

Monstera, the Swiss Cheese Plant, is easy to cultivate and care for. Although Swiss cheese plants are normally fairly hardy, occasionally, you might have to deal with common Monstera leaves drooping. The issue with drooping leaves is that there are numerous potential causes. Some of these issues might need your attention, while others will not.

It is crucial to know how to interpret any other indications your Monstera plant is showing and use the exclusion method to identify the root of your drooping Monstera leaves. It will allow you to either take action to address the drooping leaves or leave it alone if that is what your Monstera requires.

This post will discuss the possible reasons for Monstera droopiness and how to treat and avoid them.

Why Is My Monstera Drooping?

If your Monstera plant is drooping, it can be helpful to evaluate important aspects, such as the soil moisture level, and to think about your current care routine and other probable causes.

Consider the following likely causes if you discover that your Monstera is not acting in its typical vibrant way.

Under Watering

Monstera is a tropical plant that needs enough water to prosper. Underwatering is one of the most frequent reasons for drooping Monstera leaves. If your soil is dry and your leaves are limp and drooping, a lack of water is probably the cause.

In this scenario, give your Monstera plant more frequent watering. Water your Monstera when the top two inches of the soil are dry.

Inspect the potting mixture as well to make sure it can contain enough water. You might try to re-pot it in a soil mixture that keeps more moisture if it starts to dry out within a few days after you water it.

If your soil is very dry, you can discover that watering causes the soil to dry out very quickly. If so, put your planter in a dish with a few inches of water. So that the water can filter up the soil, leave the pot in the water for about an hour.

Overwatering

Monstera plants can become overwatered much as other plants can. While it is true that these tropical plants require enough water, excess water can lead to problems like root rot.

Waterlogged soil prevents your plants from getting enough oxygen. Do not water your plant unless the top two inches of soil are completely dry.

Droopy Monstera Cutting after Propagation

The leaves of your Monstera may be drooping if you have just propagated it.

It is especially typical if the cutting is allowed to dry before planting. The cutting needs time to establish a robust root system after being planted. The leaves can continue to be withered and droopy until then.

A week or two should be enough time for your new cutting to begin to perk up.

Poor Drainage Holes

Poorly draining potting soil can result in saturated soils even if you water your plant according to the recommended routine. Problems can also result from a container without any drainage holes.

Select a potting mix that drains effectively. Sand, perlite, and larger particles like pine bark fines can all aid in better drainage. Let the excess water drain out of the holes.

Make sure the planter for your Monstera has drainage holes so that any extra water may drain.

Root Rot

Root rot is a fungal disease from a soil fungus that affects plant roots.

While root rot can happen in various situations, it is more typical in damp soil. Therefore, inadequate drainage and excessive watering might promote the growth of root rot.

The roots will get slimy as the fungi damage them, and they finally start to fall apart. As you might expect, these roots have trouble absorbing water. The result is leaves drooping.

Taking the plant out of the pot and looking at the roots is the best technique to treat root rot. Remove damaged or dead tissue to help your plant’s root ball absorb water easily.

Re-pot your Monstera next using a potting mix that drains well, and ensure the pot includes drainage holes. From this point forward, ensure that you water until the potting soil is dry two inches from the top.

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Lack of Nutrients

Although rarely frequently the reason for wilting monstera leaves, this is a possibility.

Potassium is one nutrient to pay particular attention to. This component is essential for water absorption and transfers inside the plant.

Drooping Stems

It could be time to add support, so your Monstera has something to climb if you have not made any recent alterations and your plant appears to be in excellent health—and even growing!

Giving Monstera plants something to climb will prevent them from falling over or attempting to climb your walls and furniture because, in their natural environment, they climb trees and other surfaces. Moss poles are ideal for this.

Low Humidity

Monstera plants strive in humid environments. They prefer a humidity level of 40& to 80%. Your plants could grow dissatisfied if your home is dry. Drooping leaves are one of the most obvious indications of low humidity.

Using a humidifier is the most effective approach to increasing the humidity. Another option is to often spray water around your plant, but this is only a temporary fix.

Cold Temperatures

Monstera plants may start to pout if the temperature falls below 65oF. So, try maintaining an ambient temperature of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold drafts could still harm your plant even if your residence is warm. Ensure your Monstera is not close to exterior doors, drafty windows, air conditioning vents, or other cold-air sources.

Low Light

Monstera plants naturally grow on the forest floor in dappled sunlight. They do not like direct sunlight because they are acclimated to filtered light. But too little light is also bad.

8 hours of direct, bright sunlight per day for a Monstera is excellent. An excellent choice is a window facing east or south, but to prevent scorching, filter the light with sheer curtains or blinds.

Fertilizer Problems

For your Monstera to grow and thrive, fertilizing is essential. However, excessive fertilization can cause various issues, such as drooping leaves.

Your plant’s roots cannot absorb all the nutrients in the water when you over-fertilize it. These fertilizers then begin to accumulate in the soil and have the potential to burn your plant’s roots.

This root injury inhibits the plant from effectively absorbing water, which leads to dryness and drooping leaves.

Temperature Stress

Tropical rainforests in Central and South America are home to monstera plants, which flourish in warm, humid conditions.

They should be kept with the right potting mix at the right temperature because they do not withstand severe temperatures well.

The leaves of your Monstera can droop if there is a sudden temperature shift, whether cold or hot.

Pest Infestation

Monstera plants are often attacked by tiny pests, including thrips, aphids, and spider mites. These little bugs consume the sap of MonsteraMonstera using their sucking mouthparts.

Some of these pests are usually not an issue, but larger infestations might cause a plant to wilt.

You can use a soapy rag to get rid of a few pests. Neem oil, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil may need to be sprayed on the pests if you’re dealing with a larger infestation.

What are the Indications of Droopy Monstera Plant?

Here are some indications of a droopy Monstera plant. If not fixed, you may expect premature defoliation and death of your plant. These indications result from the possible causes of a droopy Monstera plant.

Dry Soil

Feeling the soil can allow you to determine if your plant is dehydrated. It is time to water your Swiss cheese plant if the top two inches of the soil feel dry.

Alternatively, a soil meter can measure the soil’s moisture level. The plant has to be watered if the result is on the dry side of the scale.

Yellow Leaves

Overwatering is the cause of your Monstera’s soft, limp, and yellowing leaves.

Additionally, the soil may have a rotting smell. It indicates that the plant is in danger and the roots are starting to decay.

Other symptoms of overwatering include a mushy stem base, dark spots on the leaves, mold on the soil, and leaf edema.

By using your finger or a soil moisture meter to feel the soil’s moisture level, you may verify if your plant is being overwatered. After more than two weeks, if the reading is still on the wet side of the scale, the soil is soggy.

Pale Brown Patches

Your Monstera’s leaves could become burnt if they receive too much direct sunshine. If the issue is not addressed immediately, it will cause leaf burn, and the leaf edges will likewise curl, be brittle, and brown.

In contrast, insufficient light might make your Monstera’s leaves droop and languish as the plant tries to get enough light.

Curled Leaves and Brown Tips

Look for any white, powdery residue in the soil when your plant starts to have curly leaves and brown splotches and tips. It is a surefire indication that you overfertilize your plant, which is drooping.

The lower leaves may also turn yellow and brown before eventually falling off. There may be browning of the leaf tips and edges as well.

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Bugs and Webs

Search the leaves of your droopy Monstera on both sides for tiny, dark-colored bugs. You might also notice white, cottony masses on the stems and leaves. The insects are mealybugs.

Spider mites are present on the plant if you notice any little webbing.

Changes in the texture or color of leaves might also be a sign of pests. They could result in leaf spots, speckling, or yellowing.

How to Fix Drooping Monstera Plant?

Although it should go without saying, you must determine the cause based on the indications before treating your drooping Monstera. You should water your plant more, not less, if it needs more water. Additionally, you should cut back on watering if your Monstera is being overwatered.

Occasionally reading over the Monstera plant care requirements is the best course of action. By doing so, you can ensure that everything is positioned as it should be.

Soil Mix

All varieties of monstera plants prefer potting soil that is well-drained and aerated. However, this fresh soil mixture should have some moisture-holding capacity between waterings.

Your soil can stay soggy if you utilize potting soil that does not drain well. Your plant will be more susceptible to acquiring root rot if this occurs.

However, too much perlite or sand in the soil may cause it to drain too quickly. It can make it difficult for your monstera plant to get enough water.

To create your potting mix, you can mix four parts pine bark fines, one part perlite, and one part coco coir.

Alternatively, you can purchase potting soil based on peat and add more pine bark fines or perlite.

Bright Light

Natural light matters. Monstera plants favor indirect, bright light. Monstera can be harmed by direct sunlight, although complete shade may result in a general lack of vigor. Ensure that your plants get enough natural light.

Put your Monstera a few feet from a window that faces the south or west or inside a room with more natural light.

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Temperature and Humidity

Monsteras are tropical plants, so keep that in mind! Thus, they like a warm, muggy climate.

Attempt to maintain a temperature of 65°F to 85°F and a humidity of 40–80%.

Although these plants prefer a warm environment and high humidity, they dislike direct light and heat sources. So keep them away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating vents.

Use a humidifier to increase the humidity of your home’s dry air and improve air circulation. Any of your other tropical indoor plants will also profit from doing this and your Monstera.

Watering Routine

As previously indicated, Monstera drooping can result from under watering and over watering. You must strike the ideal balance between watering just enough and not enough.

Generally, watering should be done when the top two inches of soil are dry. To assess the soil’s moisture content, stick your finger on it.

Make sure the soil gets a good soak when you water. The plant’s capillary will soak water through the drainage holes. Do not forget to remove any excess water accumulated in a drainage dish.

Fertilizing

Monstera plants do not require much food but will benefit from routine fertilization.

Pick a balanced indoor plant fertilizer, then dilute it by half. The goal should be to fertilize twice—once in the spring and once in the summer.

In the fall or winter, fertilizing is not necessary.

Pest Control

Aphids, spider mites, and thrips are among the most prevalent sucking pests that attack monstera plants. Spray them with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap if you spot these pests on your Monstera.

Droopy Monstera FAQs

How do you fix a droopy Monstera?

Due to problems with the soil, watering, light, temperature, and humidity, Monstera plant leaves may droop. However, root system problems like root rot, low humidity, too much light, and underwatering are typical causes. Place your plant in the right environment and water when the top two inches of soil are dry to avoid drooping.

How do I get my Monstera to stand up?

Your Monstera needs something to grow on and some assistance keeping it vertical if you want it to climb upward. A moss pole is a practical choice that many plant caregivers use. The moss acts as an organic support, while the aerial roots of the Monstera will cling to the pole and aid in directing it upward.

Why are my Monstera leaves bending down?

To limit exposed surface area and water loss through transpiration, Monstera leaves droop and typically curl or bend down. It typically indicates that water loss is the problem, probably due to direct sun, temperature stress, underwatering, damaged roots, or fluid loss due to insect infestation.

What does an overwatered Monstera look like?

When your Monstera is overwatered, you will first notice the older leaves or the leaves closer to the bottom of the plant fading.

Wrapping Up

Those are the main causes of drooping leaves on your Monstera. Do not worry too much about it because, if found early, it can usually be solved. Just ensure not to overdo things. Once you have changed your Monstera’s position or care routine, keep an eye on how the leaves are changing to see if it is beginning to appear a little better.

Now that you are aware of the most frequent reasons for drooping Monstera plants, it is time to examine your plant’s environment. You can avoid and even stop drooping leaves by making the best use of the soil, light, temperature, and other aspects.