Monstera yellow leaves: causes and what to change

Yellow leaves on a monstera usually come from watering too often, or from too little light or feeding; one old, lower leaf yellowing now and then is normal. How many leaves turn yellow, and what the soil is like, points to the cause.

What does it look like?

One of the oldest, lowest leaves yellows slowly and drops while new leaves look healthy: normal ageing.
Several leaves yellow at once, with soil that stays wet for days: often too much water or poor drainage.
Yellow, crisp leaves or brown edges with dry, compacted soil: often too little water or very dry air.
Small, pale new leaves on long stalks, without the usual splits and holes: often too little light.

Why does it happen?

Watering on a schedule rather than when the soil has dried, especially in winter, when a monstera uses less water.
A pot without drainage holes, or a saucer or cover pot that holds water.
Too little light, or strong direct sun in summer, which can scorch the leaves.
No feeding for a long time during spring and summer.

What can you do about it?

Check the soil a few centimetres down. Water thoroughly only when it has dried, and empty the saucer after about 15 minutes.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes and doesn't sit in water.
Give it bright, filtered light, out of strong direct sun in summer, and move it to a brighter spot in winter.
Water less often from autumn to late winter.
Feed with a houseplant fertiliser in spring and summer, following the label.
Cut off leaves that are fully yellow at the base of their stalk; they won't turn green again.

When you photograph a plant with this problem, Leafsight gives an assessment that names the likely problem, how serious it looks and how sure it is. Your first assessment that finds a problem includes care steps like these; with Pro or a one-time unlock, every one does.

When should you look closer?

Yellowing with dark, soft stems or a sour smell from the soil: check the roots (see overwatering and root rot).
Fine speckling, webbing or sticky leaves as well as yellowing: look for spider mites, mealybugs, scale or aphids.

Questions

What causes yellow leaves on a monstera?

On a monstera, yellow leaves most often point to watering too often, especially in winter or in a pot that doesn't drain. Several leaves yellowing at once with damp soil suggests too much water; yellow, crisp leaves with dry soil suggest too little. Small, pale new leaves without splits point to too little light. One old lower leaf yellowing now and then is normal.

Should I cut yellow leaves off my monstera?

Yes, once a monstera leaf is mostly yellow. It won't turn green again, so cut it off at the base of its stalk with clean scissors. Leave partly yellow leaves until you have changed watering or light, because their green parts still feed the plant. Removing fully yellow leaves also makes it easier to see whether new ones are turning yellow.

How often should I water a monstera?

There is no fixed schedule for watering a monstera. Water thoroughly when the soil has dried a few centimetres down, let the excess drain away, and empty the saucer. In spring and summer it uses more water; from autumn to late winter it uses water more slowly, so check the soil before watering and expect to water less often.

How much light does a monstera need?

A monstera grows best in bright, filtered light, out of strong direct sun in summer, for example near a window with a sheer curtain or further back in a bright room. In winter it benefits from a brighter spot. Too little light shows as long leaf stalks and small new leaves without the usual splits and holes, and the soil stays wet for longer.

Is a monstera poisonous to cats or dogs?

This guide covers what the leaves are telling you, not whether a plant is harmful to animals. Look up monstera in the ASPCA Animal Poison Control plant list, and if a cat or dog has chewed one and seems unwell, call your vet or an animal poison control line. Placing the pot where pets can't reach it is a common choice.

Not sure? Check with a photo

Leafsight looks at a photo of the leaf, asks a few questions about light, watering and drainage, and gives an assessment of the likely problem with care steps. A photo assessment can be wrong: for a hands-on look, ask a local garden centre or plant clinic.

Sources

Updated 2026-11-04. All plant problems.

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