Monstera plants are popular houseplants with their iconic large, split leaves, and are a favorite to many indoor green spots. Yet, a common concern among plant lovers is noticing their “Monstera leaves turning light green”. This leaves changing color can be a sign of several underlying issues, ranging from lighting conditions to watering habits. In this new guide, we dig into the main reasons behind this phenomenon and offer solutions to restore your Monstera’s vibrant health. Whether you’re a plant pro or a newbie, this comprehensive look into the world of Monsteras will arm you with the knowledge to keep them thriving.
Monstera leaves turning light green by new growing
Monstera leaves turning light green when they’re new is totally normal. Monsteras usually grow more when it’s spring and summer ’cause it’s warm and days are longer. Even if it’s an indoor plant, a Monstera will sprout new leaves all year if you keep it cozy and give it water regularly.
When Monstera plants start to grow new leaves, they begin with a light green spike. As the leaf develops, it grows longer until it’s totally unfurled and full size. Monsteras usually become known for their Swiss cheese pattern as they mature, though some might never develop these patterns.
Whether a Monstera is grown inside or outside, it’s normal for the leaves to turn light green when they’re new. It means the Monstera is healthy and growing just right!
Causes of monstera leaves light green issue
Monstera leaves turning light green could be due to various things, including lack of sunlight, overwatering, not enough water, nutrient deficiencies, cold temperatures and pests or diseases.
Lack of sunlight
Monstera leaves are usually a deep, dark green color. Not having enough sun can cause the leaves to get lighter, turning yellow or even light green. This discoloration is due to chlorosis, where the plant isn’t getting enough light to make enough chlorophyll and other pigments.
To dodge this issue, be sure to give your Monstera enough light without direct sun. If you don’t have a place that gets enough light, you might want to think about buying a grow light to make sure your Monstera is getting the light it needs.
Overwatering
One of the most common problems that monstera owners run into is their Monstera leaves turning light green. This can be a sign of giving too much water which makes the roots become waterlogged and not get enough oxygen. When the roots don’t get enough oxygen, they can’t absorb nutrients from the soil, leading to a lack of nutrients. This can cause Monstera leaves to turn a light green color, showing that the plant isn’t getting the nutrients it needs.
To fix this issue, you should reduce how often you water your monstera and make sure the soil drains well. You might also want to feed your Monstera if it’s not getting enough nutrients from the soil.
Not enough water
If your Monstera leaves are turning light green, it could be a sign that they’re not getting enough water. Monsteras like a place with plenty of moisture and humidity, so if the soil is dry or you don’t water them often enough, their leaves will start to turn a lighter shade of green.
To keep this from happening, water your Monstera regularly, making sure the soil is always moist but not waterlogged. Spraying your Monstera leaves can also help give extra moisture if you live in a dry climate.
Cold temperatures
Cold temps can have a big impact on the health of Monstera leaves. When exposed to temps that drop below 50°F (10°C), the leaves may start to turn light green, showing they’re stressed. This change in color is a sign of hurt by cold and can be seen as pale patches on the leaf’s surface.
To help prevent this damage, it’s best to keep Monstera plants away from cold drafts or windowsills in the winter. If a plant is already showing signs of cold stress, try increasing the humidity around the plant with a humidifier or spray the leaves with water to help warm up the air and give some relief. Also, providing extra insulation around the pot like a blanket or a plastic bag can help keep the temps more steady.
Nutrient deficiencies
Monstera leaves turning light green is usually caused by not enough nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium. Without proper nutrition, the plant can’t produce enough chlorophyll to keep its leaves dark green. While it’s normal for new growth to be a bit lighter than older stuff, this color change should be fixed right away.
To help your plant get the nutrient it needs, provide a balanced fertilizer that has nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. I use Seaweed once every three months and NPK 20 20 20 for high nitrogen once a month. Also every 3 to four months I use NPK 12 12 36 which is high in potassium and is good for stems but they usually use it for flowering. If I use one kind of fertilizer in one month I would not use another in the same month. You can also add up to 30% of the soil Vermicompost so it gives some natural boosts. I cannot give you any brand name, because I live in the Middle East and the brand is not useful for you. But if you look at the NPK level, it works the same all over the world.
Also make sure you’re giving your Monstera plants enough light (ideally strong sun) and water. Lastly, if you can, check the soil in your pots to see what the pH levels are like; they should be between 5.5 and 6.5 for Monstera plants to thrive.
Pests or diseases
Monstera Pests and diseases can cause monstera leaves to turn light green. These pests and diseases include mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, aphids, fungal infections, bacterial blotches and root rot.
- Mealybugs are tiny fluffy bugs that feed on the juices of plants and leave behind a sticky thing called honeydew.
- Scale insects on Monstera cause yellow or white spots on the leaves and feed by sucking the sap out of them.
- Spider mites on monstera are often found in dry places and can make small webs around the plant, as well as color changes of the leaves.
- Aphids are small green or black bugs that suck on the juices of plants, making them wilt and change color.
- Fungal infections, such as powdery mildew and leaf spots, can make the leaves turn yellow or brown.
- Bacterial blotches can also cause yellow or brown patches on the plant’s leaves.
- Monstera Root rot caused by too much water or bad draining soil can also make leaves light green.
If your monstera’s leaves are turning light green, it’s crucial to find the problem and take action to treat or stop it. Right plant care can help stop bugs and sickness from happening in the first place. If bugs or sickness become a problem, they should be treated early on with a suitable bug killer or fungicide. Besides, you can take steps to improve the soil drainage and light levels around your monstera to ensure it stays healthy.
Final thoughts
Monstera leaves turning light green can be caused by a variety of things, from chilly weather and lack of nutrients to pests or diseases. To help stop this color change, make sure your Monstera plant is getting enough water, light, nutrients, and humidity. If the leaves are already showing signs of stress or damage, take steps to fix the issue right away. With proper care and attention, you can help your Monstera stay healthy and vibrant.
Once you have found the problem behind the color change, be sure to take action as soon as possible to stop more harm or color change. Taking good care of your Monstera plant by following this guideline of Famiplants is needed to keep it healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Good luck and happy gardening!
