Monstera Leaves Turning Yellow?
The four common causes — and how to tell which one you have.
Yellow Monstera leaves are almost always a watering problem: overwatering and root rot is the most common cause, followed by underwatering, a nutrient deficiency, or simply too little light. The pattern tells you which — soft yellowing in soggy soil points to overwatering, while crispy yellowing in bone-dry soil points to the opposite. Snap a photo below for an instant diagnosis and the exact fix.
Diagnose your monstera now
Upload a photo for an instant diagnosis — then unlock the full treatment plan.
📷Upload or snap a photoInstant diagnosis · cause · treatment plan
The 4 causes, compared
| Cause | How to spot it | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering / root rot | Whole-plant yellowing with soft, mushy stems in soggy soil | Let the top 2 in of soil dry; cut back watering and check the roots for rot; empty any saucer so the pot never sits in water |
| Underwatering | Yellowing with dry, crispy soil and some wilting | Water thoroughly until it drains, then keep to a consistent schedule |
| Nutrient deficiency | An interveinal yellow pattern (green veins, yellow between) | Feed a balanced houseplant fertiliser at the label rate during the growing season |
| Too little light | Overall pale, even yellowing, slow growth | Move to brighter indirect light |
FAQ
- Should I cut off yellow Monstera leaves?
- Yes — a fully yellowed leaf won't turn green again, so trim it at the base once you've fixed the cause, to redirect energy to healthy growth.
- Is my Monstera overwatered or underwatered?
- Overwatering yellows leaves softly in constantly wet soil with mushy stems; underwatering yellows them with dry, crispy soil. Check the moisture 2 inches down before you water.