As an indoor plant parent, it can be concerning when you notice your beloved Monstera deliciosa (also known as Swiss cheese plant) looking a bit limp and droopy. A drooping Monstera is often a sign that something is awry – the plant is likely stressed and trying to communicate that its needs are not being met. Don’t panic! With a few adjustments, you can get your Monstera standing again.
Inadequate Light
Monstera plants are native to the brightly lit rainforests of Central and South America. They thrive best in bright, indirect light. Low light conditions are one of the most common reasons a Monstera leaves start pointing down. Your monstera plant droopy is the plant’s way of telling you it is struggling to produce energy without sufficient light.
To fix this, assess whether your plant is getting enough sunlight first. An east or west-facing window is ideal for Monstera plants. If light from your window is being blocked, try supplementing with a grow light. Just take care not to expose it to more than a few hours of direct hot mid-day sun, which can scorch leaves.
Underwatering
Allowing your Monstera’s soil to completely dry out too often can also cause leaves to droop, brown, and curl under. Though they hate soggy soil, Monsteras should never fully dry out. Using your finger to test moisture in the top few inches of soil is best.
Always make sure your plant has drainage holes and well-draining soil that won’t hold too much moisture. Adding pebbles underneath the pot can help improve drainage.
And take care not to water according to any fixed schedule but rather based on each individual plant’s needs which can vary by season, pot size, and other factors.
Overwatering
While under-watering causes obvious drooping, overwatering can too!
If your Monstera is sitting in soggy soil for too long, yellowing or mushy leaves wilting downward can result from lack of oxygen to the roots.
Remove standing water in drip trays promptly after watering and dump out excess from the drainage holes.
Repotting Stress
Sometimes a drooping Monstera has nothing wrong with its roots or watering but is drooping from the shock of being repotted into too large a container.
Monsteras like being slightly rootbound and can react poorly to major container upsizes, especially into pots more than 2 inches wider. Going gradually in size increments minimizes stress.
Pests Problems
Spider mites, scale, fungus gnats, and mealybugs would all love to make a meal out of your Monstera!
Pest infestations sap nutrients, injure plant tissues, spread disease, and cause unsightly damage…as well drooping leaves.
Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, neem oil, predatory insects, sticky traps, and molecular horticulture partners can all combat invaders without harming your plant.
See also : How to get rid of bugs in indoor plant
When in Doubt, Check the Roots
If your Monstera starts drooping and other common fixes like adjusting lighting, watering appropriately, or inspecting closely for pests hasn’t helped…it’s time to check the roots! Gently remove from the pot and inspect for signs of rot – slimy, foul odors, dark mushy spots. Healthy roots should be firm and white-yellow. Severely damaged roots necessitate cuttings and propagation. For mildly affected plants, cleansing roots and repotting in fresh appropriate soil often rescues them.
Don’t Give Up!
With a bit of TLC – modifying care, fixing underlying issues like pests or diseases, adjusting environmental conditions, or simply waiting patiently for it to adjust – most drooping Monsteras bounce back beautifully! So, take heart plant parents…observe closely, make careful adjustments, and just don’t give up!