Are you a proud owner of a Swiss cheese plant? These plants are known for their tropical winding vines, beautiful iconic ribbon splits, and large leaves. As easy-caring houseplants, they’re also great air purifiers. However, these plants can develop problems, such as yellowing or blackening leaves, which can be fixed easily. In addition, Swiss cheese plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Keep them away from your furry friends.
The Swiss cheese plant is also called a split-leaf philodendron or Monstera Deliciosa plant .
Monstera Deliciosa plants grow quickly with bright, indirect light in warm and humid conditions. During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize your plant regularly with a complete liquid fertilizer.
In this article, we’ll discuss common problems and their solutions to help you keep your Monstera Deliciosa healthy and thriving.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing of the leaves is a sign of over-watering, which is a common mistake. It’s essential to water your Monstera Deliciosa only when the topsoil dries out. The best way to check if the soil is dry is to stick your finger deep into the soil. For larger pots, you need to go deeper, while a few inches are enough for smaller pots. If you feel moisture, then wait until the soil dries out. Overwatering can cause root rot, the number one killer of any houseplant.
Another reason for yellowing leaves could be undernutrition. If you haven’t fertilized your plant during the spring and summer seasons, and it has been sitting in the same soil for a long time, your plant’s leaves can turn yellow due to undernutrition. To provide extra nutrition to your plant, fertilize it with a complete liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.
The sudden temperature change can also cause the yellowing of the leaves. If your plant is sitting near a heater vent, AC vent, or in a place with cold drafts near the window or door, the sudden temperature changes can shock the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow. Move your plant away from the source of sudden temperature changes and provide the right amount of temperature, humidity, and lighting.
Black Leaves
Black leaves are caused by root rot, which is also a sign of over-watering. If your plant is sitting in soggy soil for a long time, the leaves, after turning yellow, will eventually turn black. Change the soil immediately if one or two leaf corners turn black. Repot your plant into a fresh pot with dry soil and remove all the black or mushy roots. Cut down the black or brown turning roots and leave only the fresh white roots. Make sure to add enough perlite or pumice or charcoal or coarse sand or pine bark to provide the extra drainage that the soil needs. Also, remove all the black or yellow leaves from your plant to prevent it from wasting energy on them.
Leaves turning brown
Monstera deliciosa brown spots is another common problem. Brown leaves/ spots are typically a sign of underwatering. The leaves turn brown and crispy if the soil is too dry,. To fix this, ensure you are watering your plant thoroughly until water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Also, check the moisture level of the soil regularly and water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Another reason for brown leaves could be due to too much direct sunlight. Monstera Deliciosa plants prefer bright, indirect light, so if they receive too much direct sunlight, their leaves may start to brown. Move the plant to a location with less direct sunlight or provide shade to filter the light.
Swiss cheese plant drooping
Monstera Deliciosa drooping is one of the common problems. Droopy leaves can be caused by overwatering or underwatering. If the soil around the plant is too wet, the roots may start to rot, and the leaves will become limp and droopy. In this case, letting the soil dry out is important before watering again. If the soil around the plant is too dry, the leaves may also become droopy, and it is important to water the plant thoroughly.
Droopy leaves can also indicate too much or too little light. Monstera Deliciosa plants prefer bright, indirect light, so if they are not getting enough light or are getting too much direct light, their leaves may start to droop. Move the plant to a location with the right light for its needs.
Swiss cheese plant Small leaves
A lack of nutrients can cause small leaves. Monstera Deliciosa plants require fertilization to grow to their full potential. Make sure to fertilize your plant regularly during the growing season, i.e. spring and summer, with a complete liquid fertilizer.
Small leaves can also be caused by overcrowding. If your Monstera Deliciosa plant is in a pot that is too small, it may need more room to grow, and its leaves may remain small. Consider repotting the plant in a larger pot with fresh soil.
No new growth
If your Monstera Deliciosa plant is not producing any new growth, it could be due to a lack of light or nutrients. Ensure the plant receives enough bright, indirect light, and fertilize it regularly during the growing season for an ideal Monstera Deliciosa plant growth.
Another reason for the lack of new growth could be due to root-bound conditions. If the plant has been in the same pot for a long time, it may have outgrown its pot and become root-bound. Consider repotting the plant in a larger pot with fresh soil to allow for new growth.
In conclusion, taking care of a Monstera Deliciosa is easy if you provide the right amount of water, nutrients, and light. Avoid over-watering, sudden temperature changes, and under-nutrition to prevent common problems. Follow the tips provided above, and your Monstera Deliciosa will grow into a beautiful, healthy plant.
