Monstera plants are known for their large, attractive leaves, but they may be fragile, and when a monstera is displeased with its habitat or care, the first place you’ll notice this is its leaves!
Curling leaves are one of the many signs that a Monstera needs attention. Monstera leaf curl can happen for various reasons, so you should conduct some detective work and apply the process of elimination to find the root cause.
Why Monstera Leaves Curl And How To Fix It
If there is a problem, your Monstera leaves will curl, and the leaves will uncurl when the problem is resolved. Those that uncurl are usually not negatively affected by the plant’s difficulties.
The easiest technique to prevent Monstera leaves from curling is to inspect them to determine the cause. You will only be able to address the problem on time if you know what it is. So, investigate the cause first, and devise and implement a suitable solution.
Here are some of the causes of curling monstera leaves:
1. New Branches
It is important to remember that fresh monstera leaves may curl, which is entirely normal.
It will spontaneously unfold as it grows larger.
If you notice new Monstera leaves curling, this could indicate new growth.
2. Underwatering/Overwatering
it is the most common cause of Monstera leaf curling. Curled leaves indicate that your Monstera is not receiving enough water or is being overwatered.
Overwatering or underwatering occurs when there is no watering schedule, and you water the plant instead whenever you remember or pass by the gathering. Such haphazard watering can result in excessive moisture in the soil or a lack of water.
Monstera prefers moist soil. However, too much moisture might cause issues.
A lack of water frequently causes the monstera leaf to curl. It could be either over or under-watered.
How To Identity Lack Of Water?
Insert your finger or a wooden stick 2-3 inches into the soil
Your Monstera is dehydrated if it comes out dry!
If it’s moist and did come out with clumps of soil, you can likely have to wait a few more days.
How To Fix Lack Of Water
Water Monstera plant regularly. Just don’t overdo it.
Overwatering and How Do You Identify it?
One of the main causes of Monstera leaf curling is over-watering.
Overwatering can be identified by;
- Wet soil.
- Leaves that have curled
How to Fix Overwatering
Fixing Overwatering is quite easy when the damage isn’t serious.
- Establish a watering routine.
- Check that the drainage holes are correctly functioning to drain the excess water.
- If the soil is hard and has poor drainage ability, consider choosing soil with good drainage capacity.
- Water it thoroughly when a moisture meter reads 3-4 or when the first few inches of your Monstera are dry.
How To Water Monstera Properly
Watering well will prevent both underwatering and overwatering. The leaves should return to normal once the plants have reached the proper moisture content.
When watering, slowly pour water into the drainage holes until it begins to seep. Immediately empty the tray. Wait to water again until we try the soil and water the soil directly rather than soaking the foliage.
Overwatering Concerns
Excess moisture is bad for this indoor plant; the more you water it, the more issues it develops.
It frequently causes fungal disease and root rot, which can kill the plant.
3. Root Rot
When Monstera suffers from over-watering, the plant’s root tends to rot.
How To Fix Root Rot
- Remove the plant from its pot and thoroughly rinse the root system with tap water.
- Using a disinfected scissor, remove the rotting or contaminated pieces.
- Allow the plant to dry for one day.
- Repot the plant in a new container with fresh soil.
- To improve drainage capacity, loosen up the soil by adding mulch or compost.
4. Fungal Disease
When there is a moist condition or stagnant water in the pot, fungal illness develops. The main cause of this disease is overwatering and a lack of sufficient drainage.
How To Fix Fungal Disease
It would help if you used herbicides to treat the plant. Also, remove the infected leaves and allow new growth to form. To prevent further curling, make sure you follow the herbicide’s instructions. Excessive exposure to herbicides can cause the loss of the whole plant.
5. Pest
Because most of these pests suck the juices out of the leaves, they can induce monstera leaf curl of your plant’s leaves, causing them to curl owing to water loss.
Monstera isn’t particularly pest-prone, but a few insects can infest your plant and damage the leaves. Here are a few of the more prevalent ones to keep an eye out for.
How to Fix It
Keep an eye out for insects. If you see them, clean your plant and apply neem oil to it.
it can be accomplished by rinsing the leaves with water or showering them off in the sink or shower. If you use a shower, try shifting the plant to prevent having all of the runoff in the soil and allow the plant to drain.
6. Excess Fertilization
It is critical to remember that for container-growing Monstera, you should use a balanced fertilizer every other week.
Monstera grown in the ground has better nutrient access than Monstera grown in containers, which is why it is critical to fertilize your indoor Monstera.
Use half the suggested dose or less because it is preferable to under-fertilize than over-fertilize. You only have to feed your Monstera once a day.
How to Fix It
If overfertilization is the problem, it would help if you discontinued fertilizing. And report promptly with a new soil mix.
Fertilize regularly with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer.
7. Roots Wrapped
Because it affects your plant’s ability to absorb water, root wrap can cause your Monstera’s leaves to curl.
If you notice your plant’s roots growing in a circle around the inside of your pot, it’s time for a new pot! Make sure to go up a pot size and select something 2-3 inches larger than your plant’s root ball so it can grow.
How to Fix It
If you find your plant’s roots growing in a circle around the inside of your pot, it’s time for a new pot! Make sure to increase a pot size and select something 2-3 inches larger than your plant’s root ball so it can grow!
Curling leaves and stunted development are caused by compacted soil and root-bound plants. Repotting the plant is the best approach to prevent the leaves from curling further. Begin by taking it from the old pot and splitting up the soil.
8. Humidity
Monsteras, as tropical plants, thrive under at least 40% high humidity levels. Monstera prefers moist soil and a humid atmosphere like many other tropical plants. You may need to regulate the humidity levels in your house, especially during the summer.
How to Fix It
Due to water loss, your Monstera’s leaves may pucker, wrinkle, or curl if humidity conditions are regularly low.
You may reduce humidity by doing the following:
- Purchasing a humidifier.
It is feasible to purchase a little humidifier and place it near the houseplants. Make use of a whole-house humidifier. It’s natural to desire to keep the house as warm as possible throughout the winter. However, this results in dry air that lacks humidity. It is preferable to install a whole-house humidifier to restore humidity to the household.
2. The method with water in a bowl
Put a bowl of water near the plant in the house. The water basin will keep the Monstera’s atmosphere moist and prevent the leaves from curling.
3. Place a pebble tray beneath the plant.
Pebble trays are a simple technique to improve humidity levels surrounding your plant by allowing the water in the tray to evaporate.
It would be best if you placed plants near one another.
If you have a houseplant collection, grouping them benefits them by raising their combined humidity levels.
9. Temperature
Monstera leaves can curl as a result of sudden temperature changes. you should keep the room temperature between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 30°C) and no lower than 60°F (15°C). Because Monstera is a tropical plant, extreme cold can cause temperature stress.
How to Fix It
Maintain a safe distance between them and air conditioning vents, fireplaces, and draft doors or windows.
A Monstera plant can be harmed by too much or too little light exposure. Direct sunlight causes the plant’s leaves to curl inward.
10. Inadequate lighting
When there is less light, the Monstera and many other houseplants crave more. Monstera leaves curl, while others produce longer tendrils towards the sun. The curling is directed outward toward the light source. The darker the area, the less the plant’s curling issue.
How to Fix It
However, whether it is receiving too much or too little light, the remedy is the same: you must relocate your plant.
If you notice the leaves curling outward and turning yellow, this indicates that the plant requires more light.
How long does a Monstera leaf take to uncurl?
Uncurling might take anywhere from 1 to 7 days, depending on the extent of the problem.
When you notice curling, find the issues and fix them on time so it uncurls, avoid over-fertilization, and keep the plant’s environment humid.
Keep the plant free of heat stress, re-pot it, and protect it from pest infestation and disease.
It is feasible to revive curled Monstera leaves. However, it is dependent on the source and extent of the damage. Monstera leaves curl for various reasons, control the source, and the leaves will uncurl. Most of the time, underwatering or overwatering is the cause, so give your Monstera a good drink or re-pot it, and it should recover.