Hello, dedicated caretaker. It is I, your Monstera deliciosa. I wish to communicate clearly, so I will translate my physical state into your language. When I am distressed, I express it through my leaves and roots. Here is what I am trying to tell you.
When my older, lower leaves slowly fade to a uniform yellow, it is often simply my way of saying I am diverting energy to new growth. However, if multiple leaves or new growth are yellowing, listen closely. Soft, wilting yellow leaves often mean you are giving me too much water. My roots are drowning and cannot breathe. Conversely, if my leaves are yellowing, feel crispy, and perhaps have brown edges, I am parched and need a more consistent drink. Please check my soil moisture before watering.
This is a cry about the air around me. The humidity is too low. I hail from tropical rainforests where the air is thick with moisture. Your home, especially when heated or air-conditioned, is too dry for my liking. This low humidity causes my leaves to lose water faster than my roots can absorb it, resulting in those unsightly brown, crispy margins. A pebble tray or humidifier nearby would make me deeply grateful.
You provide for me, and I thank you. But if my new leaves are emerging small and without their characteristic splits, it is a sign I need more. More light, to be precise. I am not a low-light plant; I am a creature of the dappled jungle sun. Without sufficient bright, indirect light, I lack the energy to produce the large, fenestrated leaves you desire. Please move me closer to a window, but shield me from the harsh, direct sun that can scorch my foliage.
This is my most obvious sign of thirst. When my leaves curl inward, I am attempting to reduce surface area to conserve water. It means my soil has been dry for too long, and my roots are desperate for a drink. A good, thorough watering should see me perk up within a day. However, if my soil is wet and I am still drooping, you may have the opposite problem—root rot from overwatering has set in, and I can no longer absorb water at all.
Please examine these spots carefully. If they are soft, mushy, and dark brown, it is likely a fungal or bacterial issue, almost always invited by overly wet soil or water sitting on my leaves. If the spots are more like dry, rusty patches, you may be giving me too much direct sunlight, which is literally burning my skin. Isolate me from other plants if you suspect disease and adjust your care accordingly.
