Why Does My Monstera Have Brown Spots? Your Plant Telling You Something is not Right

Brown spots on your monstera are like little signals from your plant saying, “Hey, something’s not quite right!” They can show up as small, dry patches or bigger, crispy areas on the leaves. Sometimes they’re dark brown, sometimes light, and they might even feel crunchy. The good news? These spots are usually fixable once you figure out what’s causing them. Let’s look at the most common reasons and what you can do about them.

1. Watering Issues: Too Much or Too Little

Your monstera loves water, but it’s picky about how much it gets. If you’re watering it too much, the roots can get soggy, leading to root rot, which can cause brown spots on the leaves. On the other hand, if you’re not watering enough, the leaves can dry out and turn brown, especially at the edges.

How to Fix It:

• Check the soil before watering. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still wet, wait a few days.
• Make sure your pot has drainage holes so extra water can escape.
• Water evenly, and don’t let your monstera sit in a puddle of water in its saucer.

A good rule is to water your monstera about once a week, but this depends on your home’s light and temperature. Adjust as needed to keep the soil slightly moist but not soaking.

2. Not Enough Humidity

Monsteras are tropical plants, so they love humid air, like what you’d find in a rainforest. If the air in your home is too dry (especially in winter with heaters on), your monstera’s leaves might develop brown, crispy spots, especially at the tips.

How to Fix It:

• Mist the leaves with a spray bottle a couple of times a week.
• Place a small humidifier near your plant to boost moisture in the air.
• Group your monstera with other plants to create a mini humid zone, or set it on a tray with pebbles and water (keep the pot above the water, though!).

Aim for humidity levels around 50-60% if you can. Your monstera will thank you with lush, green leaves.

3. Too Much or Too Little Light

Monsteras love bright, indirect light, like the kind they’d get under a jungle canopy. If they get too much direct sunlight, their leaves can burn, causing brown or yellowish spots. Too little light, and the leaves might struggle to stay healthy, leading to weak growth and browning.

How to Fix It:

• Place your monstera near a window with filtered light, like through a sheer curtain.
• Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. If you notice brown spots on the side facing the window, move it a bit farther away.
• If your home is dark, consider a grow light to give your monstera the brightness it needs.

4. Pests or Diseases

Sometimes, tiny bugs like spider mites or fungal infections can cause brown spots. Spider mites are super small and love dry conditions, leaving little brown dots or webbing on leaves. Fungal issues, like leaf spot disease, can show up as brown or black spots with yellow halos, often from too much moisture.

How to Fix It:

• Check the undersides of leaves for tiny bugs or webs. If you spot pests, wipe the leaves with a mix of water and a tiny bit of dish soap, or use neem oil.
• For fungal issues, remove affected leaves with clean scissors and improve air circulation around your plant.
• Avoid getting water on the leaves when you water, and make sure your plant isn’t too crowded with other plants.

5. Nutrient Problems

Your monstera needs nutrients to stay healthy, just like we need vitamins. If it’s not getting enough food, or if there’s a buildup of salts from fertilizer, brown spots can appear.

How to Fix It:

• Feed your monstera with a balanced liquid fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) every month during spring and summer. Don’t fertilize in fall or winter when growth slows.
• If you’ve been fertilizing a lot, flush the soil with water to wash away extra salts, which can burn the leaves.

When to Worry (and When Not To)

A few brown spots here and there are normal, especially on older leaves. If your monstera is otherwise growing well and producing new, healthy leaves, you’re probably doing great! But if you see lots of spots spreading quickly, or if the plant looks droopy or sad, act fast to fix the issue using the tips above.