Skip to content

Monstera Adansonii · Monstera adansonii

Why are my Swiss cheese plant leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on your Monstera adansonii usually point to issues with your watering routine. Check the soil moisture first to see if the plant is sitting in too much water.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Touch the top 2 inches of soil.
  2. Check the bottom of the pot for standing water.
  3. Inspect the roots for a mushy texture.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves feel soft or mushy and the soil stays wet for a long time.

    What to do: Wait until the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so extra water can escape.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn yellow while the plant looks otherwise healthy.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter months.

Yellow leaves on other plants

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaf to yellow and die as the plant grows. Worry if multiple leaves turn yellow at once or if the stem feels soft.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a consistent watering schedule and always check the soil moisture before adding more water.

Monstera Adansonii: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your monstera adansonii and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the plant.
Can low light cause yellowing?
Yes, if the plant is in a very dark corner, it may drop leaves or turn yellow because it cannot support them.

More problems with Monstera Adansonii

Back to the Monstera Adansonii guide

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