Greetings, human caretaker. I am your Monstera deliciosa. I am trying to thrive, but my leaves are drooping, and my stems feel weak. This is my primary way of communicating that my needs are not being met. The most common misunderstanding between our species revolves around water. Please, listen to my point of view so you can understand what I am experiencing.
My drooping is a symptom of turgor pressure loss. Turgor pressure is the water pressure inside my cells that keeps my stems upright and my leaves proudly unfurled. When this internal water pressure drops, I begin to wilt and droop. The critical question is: what caused this loss of pressure? The root of the answer lies, quite literally, in my roots.
When you forget to water me, the soil in my pot becomes dry and dusty. My extensive root system, which is designed to seek out moisture, finds nothing. Without water to absorb, my roots cannot transport hydration and nutrients up through my stems to my leaves. The cells in my leaves lose their plumpness, and I begin to droop to conserve the little energy I have left. My leaves may feel thin, papery, and brittle to the touch, and the entire pot will feel very light. This droop is a direct plea for a deep, thorough drink.
This is often the more dangerous scenario. When you water me too frequently, the soil becomes perpetually saturated. You are, with the best intentions, drowning me. My roots need oxygen as much as they need water. When they are constantly surrounded by water, they suffocate and begin to rot. Once they rot, they are no longer functional—they cannot absorb *any* water or nutrients. Therefore, even though the soil is wet, my upper parts are experiencing a severe drought because the rotten roots cannot transport anything. I will droop in an identical manner to being underwatered, but my soil will be soggy, my pot will feel heavy, and you may notice yellowing leaves or a foul smell from the soil. This droop is a distress signal that I am suffocating.
Do not simply look at my drooping leaves and water me again. You must investigate further. Please touch the soil. Insert your finger about two inches deep. Is it bone dry? Then I am thirsty. Is it sopping wet and clumpy? Then you have overwatered me. Next, lift my pot. Does it feel surprisingly light for my size? That points to underwatering. Does it feel unexpectedly heavy, like a waterlogged weight? That confirms overwatering. Finally, observe my leaves. Are they drooping and crispy? That suggests thirst. Are they drooping and turning yellow, particularly the older leaves? That is a classic sign of root rot from overwatering.
