Monstera plants are renowned for having large, gorgeous leaves with fenestrations. However, those leaves can be sensitive. The first area you’ll notice showing issues when a monstera is dissatisfied with its surroundings are the leaves.
To narrow down the possible causes of monstera leaf curl, you may need to do some detective work and use the method of “elimination” to figure out the real cause.Typically, monstera leaves curl to reduce the area exposed to the atmosphere and lessen water loss through transpiration. Normally, this indicates a problem with water loss for whatever cause, such as heat stress, the fluid loss brought on by insect infestation, underwatering, or damaged roots.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the most likely reasons why monstera leaves curl, and how you can fix it, so your plants’ leaves look gorgeous and healthy. You might be able to determine the underlying issue by observing the various ways a monstera leaf might curl.
Monstera Leaves Curling Inwards
A watering problem, a deficiency in humidity, or occasionally an insect infestation may cause your monstera’s leaves to curl inward or upward toward the top of the leaf.
Monstera Leaves Curling Under
Monstera leaves can curl inward toward the base for many of the same reasons. However, this may be caused by heat stress or underwatering if the leaf lacks turgor pressure. This may be the case if the leaves feel flimsy, weak, or drooping.
Monstera Leaves Crinkling
Especially if they are accompanied by dry or browning margins, crinkled, brittle leaves frequently indicate underwatering or low humidity. Here are several potential causes and how to determine why your monstera is stressed if you notice any of these symptoms, such as puckering, curling under, or upward leaf motion. Why Monstera Leaves Curl and What to Do About It. What you can do to restore the beauty and health of your monstera leaves!
Monstera Leaves Curling Causes And How to Fix
Overwatering or Underwatering
A watering problem is typically the root of monstera leaf curl. Your plant could be overwatered or underwatered, respectively. Examining the soil’s condition is a good place to start. If you last watered a few days ago and the soil still feels damp an inch or two down, your soil may be retaining too much water.
On the other hand, if the dirt beneath your monstera feels dry, your plant might require water. If you just watered, but the soil is still dry, you might be watering too lightly.
To obtain a more precise picture of the moisture levels in your soil, we advise utilizing a moisture meter. The reason why we like this is that it measures soil pH, light levels, and moisture levels. Even if the top of the soil seems dry to the touch, the root ball can be damp depending on whether the soil is well-aerated.
How To Detect Over or Underwatering?
Use a moisture meter by poking the sensor into the soil halfway between the plant’s base and the pot’s side. Your plant is definitely too dry and needs water if the meter’s reading shows less than three. Your plant may have been overwatered if you last watered more than a week ago and the meter reads more than four.
Although you might be watering too frequently, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re watering too much. Instead, it’s probably a sign that the soil in your monstera pot is too dense or compacted or doesn’t drain well enough.
Using A Meter Guage
The possibility of overwatering a plant exists if the last time you watered it was more than a week ago and the meter shows more than four. Although you may be watering too frequently, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re watering your monstera too much.
Instead, it’s probably a sign that the soil is too compacted or dense or that the pot doesn’t drain properly. Rather than giving your plant too much water, drainage problems are more frequently to blame for overwatering.
Too Much Direct Sunlight
Leaf curling is another effect of too much sun exposure, which is sometimes accompanied by leaf scorch symptoms like fading or dried brown blotches. If your monstera typically receives a lot of direct sunlight after 10:00 a.m. and your soil conditions appear fine, this may be the problem. If the light is too direct and beating on your plant’s leaves, try relocating it further away from the light source or filtering it with a sheer curtain.
Heat Stress or Low Humidity
At least 40% humidity is ideal for monsteras because they are tropical plants. Your monstera’s leaves could pucker, wrinkle, or curl if the humidity is continuously low because water is being lost through evaporation. Monstera leaf curl can also result from extreme heat from a heater, fireplace, or heating vent. If your plant’s leaves curl up very quickly, this may be the cause. It frequently happens in response to a sudden, extreme temperature change. Humidity and temperature problems frequently coexist because these intense heat sources can make a plant’s leaves dry.
Here’s a straightforward fix: if you notice your plant’s leaves curled up at once, quickly move it away from any hot drafts. Your plant may require humidity if the curling is slow, you reside in a dry location, the season has changed, or you’re utilizing more indoor climate control. A humidity meter can accurately monitor the humidity levels in your home.
How To Fix This
If this appears to be the problem, try placing a humidifier near your monstera plant, moving it to a steamy bathroom with lots of indirect sunlight, and grouping it with other houseplants, the respiration of the other plants will increase the humidity around your monstera plant, or putting it on a humidity tray. You may purchase these at gardening supply stores or make your own by setting your plant—pot and all—on top of a shallow tray that has been filled with water and pebbles.
Accidental Herbicide Damage
Given that herbicides are normally used outside, this is a highly uncommon reason indoor monsteras’ leaves curl. However, it’s still important to know if you have outdoor monsteras or have ever placed your indoor monstera outside where this may have been a problem. It happens occasionally. There isn’t much you can do but wait for your monstera to recover if you suspect it may have picked up some herbicide on the breeze. It should survive with basic, regular care.
Soil Conditions
Issues with the soil are the root of many monstera health problems, such as curled leaves. As we previously stated, soil concerns more frequently cause watering issues than actual watering issues with plants. It’s important to consider how your soil’s pH and nutrient levels may also impact your plants’ health.
Here are some of the issues that soil may cause.
Compacted Soil
Long-term storage of soil in the same container can cause it to grow dense and hard. This frequently happens when a plant hasn’t been replanted in a year or more. When this occurs, water may appear to sit on top of the soil rather than swiftly permeate it. On the other hand, if the soil can absorb the water, it could do it improperly by holding onto it for an excessive amount of time. This may result in problems with both over-and underwatering.
Having said that, it’s crucial to maintain your plant’s soil’s aeration, either by repotting each year or occasionally loosening the soil with a chopstick or dowel.
Potassium Deficiency
Another crucial nutrient that plants require to develop and prosper is potassium. Potassium deficiency may be to blame if you find that the tips of your monstera plant’s leaves are curling and turning discolored.
Nitrogen Deficiency
For plants to carry out their physical functions, nitrogen is the nutrient they need the most. The lowest leaves of your monstera may yellow, curl inward, and potentially develop some dry, light-brown patches if it suffers from a severe nitrogen deficiency.
We advise using a mild liquid fertilizer regularly after your monstera for a few months or within a month or two of repotting to ensure your plant receives all the vitamins and minerals needed to grow into the large, stunning monstera plant of your dreams.
Pests and Disease
If your house is prone to pests, this can also cause monstera leaf curl since many of them suck the juices from your plant’s leaves, which causes the leaves to dry out and curl.
Fixing
Although monsteras aren’t very prone to pests, a few insects can harm the leaves of your monstera by infesting it. Aphids, spider mites, and thrips are some examples of common ones. For the most part, these insects can be treated similarly.
Get the bugs off your monstera first. To accomplish this, you can use water to wipe the leaves or a shower or sink to rinse them off. If you decide to use a shower, tilt the plant so that the water doesn’t all end up in the soil and so that it has time to drain.
Wrapped Roots
The ability of your plant to absorb water may be hampered by root wrap, which can also cause the monstera leaves to curl. A new pot is required if you see your plant’s roots circling the interior of the old one. For your plant to have room to expand, make sure to choose a pot bigger than the root ball, about two to three inches.
Conclusion
After all, is said and done, it all boils down to some things. One of them is ensuring you’re not in a pest-prone area and making a roaster for watering to avoid over or underwatering. Following this guide will expose you to a new side of your monstera, and you’ll start to enjoy the ambiance of your plant.