Why Monstera Leaves Turn Yellow and How to Fix It
updated 11 July 2026
Quick answer
Yellow monstera leaves usually mean overwatering - the soil stays constantly wet, so the roots suffocate and rot. Check the soil moisture with your finger 3-4 cm (about 1.5 inches) deep and water only once the top layer has dried out. Less often the culprit is underwatering, too little light, a cold draft, or the natural aging of the lowest leaf.
Step by step
- 1
Confirm it's overwatering
Push your finger or a wooden stick 3-4 cm into the soil. If the soil is wet and smells musty, and the yellow leaves are soft and limp, you're dealing with overwatering. Brown, mushy patches with a yellow halo are another telltale sign. Take the plant out of its cover pot and check whether water is standing at the bottom.
- 2
Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots
Gently slide the monstera out of its pot and shake the wet soil off the roots. Healthy roots are light-colored, firm, and springy. Rotten ones are brown or black, soft, fall apart between your fingers, and often smell bad. The more of those you find, the more urgent the repotting.
- 3
Cut off the rotten roots
Using clean scissors wiped with rubbing alcohol, cut away all dark, mushy roots back to healthy, light-colored tissue. Don't be afraid to remove even half the root system if that much is damaged - a smaller healthy root ball beats a large rotting one. While you're at it, cut off the most damaged yellow leaves, because they won't recover anyway.
- 4
Prepare a light, well-draining mix
Monstera likes airy soil. Mix regular houseplant soil with bark, perlite, and a bit of coconut fiber so water passes through quickly and the roots get oxygen. Dense, heavy soil straight from the bag holds moisture, and that's often what leads to overwatering in the first place. Throw out all of the old, soggy soil.
- 5
Repot with drainage and make sure water can escape
Choose a pot with holes in the bottom, only slightly larger than the root ball. Pour a layer of expanded clay pebbles on the bottom, and press the soil down lightly after planting. A pot without drainage is a straight path back to rotting roots. Empty the cover pot of water every time after watering.
- 6
Place it somewhere bright and hold off on watering
After repotting, put the monstera in a bright spot away from harsh sun and don't water it for a few days so the wounds on the roots can dry. Water again only once the top layer of soil has dried out. New, healthy leaves will appear after a few weeks - a sign the plant has bounced back.
Other reasons monstera leaves turn yellow
Not every yellow leaf means overwatering. An underwatered monstera also yellows, but the leaf edges are dry, brown, and brittle, and the soil is compacted and pulling away from the sides of the pot. In that case get back to regular watering, and if the plant is badly dried out, stand the pot in a bowl of water for fifteen minutes.
When the lowest, oldest leaves yellow while new growth looks healthy, the plant usually lacks light or it's simply natural aging. A monstera deep inside a room drops its lower leaves because keeping them isn't worth the energy - move it closer to a window. A single yellow bottom leaf every now and then is completely normal.
A cold draft from a window or balcony door and temperatures below 15°C (59°F) also cause yellowing and brown spots. Keep the plant away from air conditioning vents and cold window panes. A freshly repotted monstera can go into shock and drop a leaf or two - that's temporary, as long as the roots are healthy.
Feeding and watering without overdoing it
Pale, evenly yellowing young leaves can signal nitrogen deficiency, especially if the plant has been sitting in the same soil for a long time. From spring to early autumn, feed it with a houseplant fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, at a weaker strength than the label suggests. Skip fertilizing in winter.
Overfeeding works the other way and hurts too - leaf edges turn brown and a white salt crust appears on the soil surface. If you see that, flush the soil with plenty of water and let it drain freely through the holes. As for frequency: a monstera in a typical home needs water roughly every 7-10 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winter, but the soil, not the calendar, makes the call.
Frequently asked questions
›Should I cut off yellow monstera leaves?
Yes, fully yellow leaves won't turn green again, so you can cut them off with clean scissors right at the stem. The plant stops wasting energy on them and puts it into new growth instead. If a leaf is only slightly yellowed at the edge, wait until it yellows completely.
›Monstera leaves turning yellow after repotting - what should I do?
One or two yellow leaves after repotting is usually just temporary shock, and you don't need to do anything more. Keep the plant in a bright, warm spot and don't overwater it. If more leaves keep yellowing, though, check whether you damaged the roots while repotting and whether the soil is too wet.
›How often should I water a monstera to stop it yellowing?
Usually every 7-10 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winter, but the soil, not the calendar, tells you when to water. Push your finger 3-4 cm deep and water only once the top layer has dried out. It's better to water less often but thoroughly than frequently in small sips.
›Why does my monstera have brown spots on its leaves?
Soft, dark spots with a yellow halo are most often the result of overwatering and the start of rot. Dry, brown edges point instead to underwatering, air that's too dry, or overfeeding. Work out whether the soil is too wet or too dry and start there.
›Will yellow monstera leaves turn green again?
No, once a leaf has yellowed it won't get its green back, because the plant has withdrawn the chlorophyll from it. Your goal is to stop more leaves from yellowing through better watering and light. New, healthy leaves will be the best proof the problem is under control.