Elvira Kashapova / Getty
Caring for houseplants, especially tropicals like monsteras can be a little tricky.
Are you watering your plant enough?
Is itgetting enough light?
Elvira Kashapova / Getty
Did you use the right soil mix?
With the right care,monsterais a pretty low-maintenance houseplant.
But curling leaves indicate that you’re not giving the plant what it needs to thrive.
Watering Issues
Curling leaves on your monstera can be a symptom of overwatering or underwatering.
To diagnose the problem, stick your fingers a few inches into the soil.
If it’s very moist, overwatering is likely the issue.
Allow the soil to dry out a little before you water again.
If it’s very hard and dry, you’re probably underwatering.
Going forward, check the soil moisture with your fingers beforewateringrather than watering on a set schedule.
Lack of Humidity
Low humidity can cause monstera leaves to curl.
Monsteras take in moisture not only from the soil but also through theiraerial rootsand even through their leaves.
Treat curling leaves due to low humidity by increasing the humidity in the air around your plant.
The most effective way to do this is torun a small humidifier nearby.
you might also group your plant together with other moisture-loving plants to create a more humid microclimate.
(Misting your monstera’s leaves doesn’t actually increase humidity, though it’s great forleaf cleaning.)
Too Much Sunlight
Monstera leaves can also curl when they’re stressed from too much sun.
you could also put up a sheer curtain to filter the light and make it less intense.
Soil Issues
Problems with your monstera’s potting mix can also cause curling leaves.
Use a mix with peat or coconut coir to hold moisture and plenty of perlite and bark for drainage.
Examine your plant’s foliage regularly for signs of pests and act quickly to prevent an infestation.
you could also treat pest problems with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
No, you shouldn’t unfurl curled monstera leaves.
Healthy new monstera leaves naturally start out tightly curled and unfurl on their own as they grow.
Treat leaf curl on mature leaves by adjusting your plant’s growing conditions to remedy the cause.
Examine your plant’s conditions and make adjustments to help remedy the issue.
