How To Fix Black Spots On Monstera? The Top Causes

Monstera is a resilient indoor plant that can survive harsh circumstances. Any plant parent should be concerned about black spots on Monstera, which can occur for several different reasons. They will display marks of discontent on their leaves.

Monstera black spots don’t always portend disaster for the plant. Here are a few causes and some solutions on how to remove black spots on Monstera.

Why Does My Monstera Have Black Spots?

Overwatering

Root rot is one of the most frequent causes of black spots on Monstera leaves. Overwatering, which leads to root rot, is a common mistake made by well-intentioned plant parents.

Fortunately, even after drinking too much water, they can be revived. Additional indicators of overwatering include:

• Yellow leaves or stems
• Soft, mushy stems
• Very squishy, damp ground
• Sweating phenomenon

Remove it from its pot and brush off the roots if you think it has been overwatered. Remove any bad roots with scissors. After cleaning the container with soap and water, add brand-new, fresh potting soil. To improve drainage, mix in a few bunches of perlite or gravel.

The finest pots to drain extra water are those with drainage holes. Trim their damaged leaves, then put them in the fresh soil. Reduce the watering frequency and keep it in a location with warm, indirect sun for drying.

Always verify with your finger or a moisture metre, to avoid overwatering, that the soil’s top layer is dry before watering.

Remember that Monstera will require less watering if it is in a colder or darker place rather than a warmer or brighter one.

Underwatering

On the other side, underwatering can also result in black spots on Monstera plants. They likely need water if you see the leaves turning yellow, becoming light brown, and appearing “crisp.” Ensure the soil is dry, then give them some extra water.

Place the plant in a container about two inches wider than the existing one. Because there is less substance to store water for the plant if it is root-bound, the soil dries up more quickly.

Repotting is necessary if roots are starting to poke through the soil and the container’s drainage hole. Before you water the plant again, give it time to become used to its new home. Sadly, the dark edges do not disappear, but you may trim them to make them seem better.

Sunburn

The brown and black marks can be caused by sunburn in direct sunlight. Like in their natural environment, Monstera prefer bright, indirect light.

Keep them at least a few metres away from windows that face east or west, which offer sufficient illumination without being overly bright. If the leaves are burning, move the Monstera farther from the window. If there isn’t room next to the west- or east-facing window, you might place your houseplant next to a south-facing window and cover it with a sheer drape.

If you want to keep them outside, put them beneath a porch to protect them from the intense mid-afternoon light while still getting some sun. Rotate them every several days to ensure uniform development and to prevent one side from being more exposed than the others. To prevent further damage to the Monstera, ensure their leaves aren’t in contact with the windows.

Low Humidity

The leaf margins also become brown due to low moisture and dry air. Because Monstera is native to rainforests, it does well in humid conditions. Drooping plants are also a sign of low humidity.

So, adding a humidifier beside your plants is an excellent method to improve humidity if you live in a dry area. Place a tray of water close to your plant to boost humidity if you don’t have a humidifier. Water evaporation into the atmosphere gives indoor plants the necessary humidity.

Diseased

Bacterial and fungal diseases can cause leaf spots. These patches frequently have a golden “halo” around them and are consistent in size. As this disease may spread, remove the afflicted leaves and inspect any nearby plants for symptoms of the illness.

Keep the leaves dry to avoid bacterial and fungal illnesses. Although Monstera prefers damp environments, avoid misting its leaves. Monstera plant black spots can be caused by bacterial and fungal illnesses in wet leaves. Use a tissue to clean up any water spilled on the leaves.

Pest-Caused

A plant owner’s worst nightmare is an insect infestation, since they ruin your collection and cause discoloration.

These pests might initially be difficult to identify and eradicate. Guidelines to reduce the possibility of attracting bugs into your house:

• Before purchasing, check plants for insects, webbing, poison, or other damage. Avoid purchasing plants that exhibit pest activity.
• To stop the spread, quarantine new plants for a few weeks after bringing them home. If you have an infestation, this isolates the problem.
• Clean up the dirt and containers.
• Avoid overwatering since wet environments attract insects.
• Regularly inspect your plants.

Check for damage to adjacent plants. If you find them, quarantine your plant immediately to stop the spread.

Wash the impacted plant under a stable stream of water from a shower head or hose to remove insects. Spray neem oil and insecticidal soap on them afterwards, or rub alcohol on them. With no harm to the plant, this gets rid of the pests. To eradicate the infestation, repeat this procedure every few days for several weeks. Do not give up hope that Monstera will recover!

How To Remove Black Spots On Monstera

If you’re noticing black spots on Monstera leaves, don’t worry; there are ways to fix them. Here are a few tips:

• Make sure your plant is getting enough light. It needs plenty of light to stay healthy, so if yours isn’t getting enough, the leaves will start to turn black. Try moving it closer to a window or adding a grow light.
• Water your plant regularly and ensure the soil is moist but not soggy. A dry plant will start to show signs of stress, including black Monstera leaf spots.
• Check the pH level of your soil and adjust accordingly. A pH level that’s too high or too low can cause leaf damage and black spots. Use an at-home testing kit or take a sample of your soil to a garden centre for analysis.
• Apply a foliar spray once a week until the black spots on the Monstera leaf disappear. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully! This will help to protect the leaves and promote healing.

Do Monstera Leaves Grow Back After Cutting?

Their leaves will not grow back if they are cut off from the plant. If you want the leaves to keep growing, keep a long stem attached to the leaf when you cut it off.

Alternatively, you can propagate a new plant from the stem. If you want your plant to look full and healthy, it’s important to prune it regularly. Pruning involves carefully cutting away dead or dying leaves and any excessively long or damaged ones.

When pruning your Monstera, use clean, sharp shears or scissors. Pruning not only keeps your Monstera looking its best, but it also helps to encourage new growth. New leaves will sprout from the cut stems, resulting in a fuller, healthier plant. If you’re hoping to achieve this effect, prune your Monstera regularly.

Conclusion

The likelihood of overwatering a plant increases if the soil is moist and the stems are yellow and mushy. It may be getting too much sun or not enough humidity if the leaves appear dry and crispy. Reduce the watering frequency and transplant the plant into fresh, dry soil.

Regularly check your plants for indications of infection so you can start treating them immediately. Remove them from the window and use a humidifier to raise the humidity level. Ensure they haven’t exceeded their container because doing so might result in underwatering. Have any further queries concerning the black spots on Monstera that I have not addressed? Comment below and let me know!

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