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Monstera Adansonii · Monstera adansonii

Why are my Monstera adansonii leaves getting brown tips?

Brown tips on your Swiss cheese plant usually mean the air is too dry or you are using water with too many minerals. Check your humidity levels first to see if the air is drying out the delicate leaf edges.

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture to ensure you are not underwatering.
  2. Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels dry or drafty.
  3. Inspect the leaf tips for a crisp texture.

Likely causes

  1. Low humidity

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in winter when heaters run constantly.

    What to do: Place your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water to boost local moisture. You can also group it with other plants or run a humidifier nearby to keep levels above 50 percent.

  2. Mineral buildup

    Most likely

    How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is moist. This is often caused by salts or chlorine in tap water.

    What to do: Switch to filtered or distilled water for a few weeks to see if the browning stops. You can also flush the soil with plenty of water once a month to wash out excess salts.

Find out what's wrong with your monstera adansonii

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

It is normal for very old leaves to develop small brown spots as they age. Worry only if the browning is spreading rapidly across new growth.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain consistent humidity and use filtered water to keep the foliage looking fresh.

Keep your monstera adansonii healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?
Yes, you can trim them for aesthetics. Use clean scissors and follow the natural shape of the leaf, but avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
Does misting help?
Misting only provides a temporary boost in humidity that lasts for a few minutes. It is better to use a humidifier or a pebble tray for lasting results.

More problems with Monstera Adansonii

Back to the Monstera Adansonii guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.