Why Are My Monstera Leaves Turning Yellow? (And How to Fix It)

 If you've noticed one or more leaves on your Monstera turning yellow, don't panic — it's one of the most common issues Monstera owners run into, and in most cases it's fixable once you know what's causing it. This guide walks through the most likely causes, starting with the most common, and what to actually do about each one.

1. Overwatering (the most common cause)

By far the most frequent reason Monstera leaves turn yellow is too much water. Monstera roots need oxygen just as much as they need moisture, and soil that stays constantly wet suffocates the roots and can lead to root rot — a condition where the roots start to decay and can no longer absorb water or nutrients properly. Once that happens, the leaves yellow as the plant struggles to function.

How to tell if this is your problem: Check the soil before you assume anything else. If it feels damp several inches down and you've been watering on a fixed schedule rather than checking the soil first, overwatering is very likely the cause.

The fix: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely before watering again. Make sure your pot has drainage holes — a pot with no way for excess water to escape will cause this problem no matter how carefully you water. If the soil has been wet for a long time or smells sour, gently remove the plant from its pot, trim away any mushy brown roots, and repot into fresh, well-draining soil.

2. Underwatering

Less common than overwatering, but it happens — especially if you've been cautious about not overwatering and swung too far the other way. When a Monstera goes too long without water, it becomes stressed and starts shedding leaves, often starting with yellowing before the leaf fully browns and dries out.

How to tell if this is your problem: The soil is bone dry, possibly pulling away from the sides of the pot, and the yellowing is often accompanied by drooping or crispy brown edges rather than a soft yellow leaf.

The fix: Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot, then return to checking the top 2 inches of soil before each future watering. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely and stay dry for extended periods.

3. Not enough light

Monstera plants can tolerate lower light for a while, but if they're kept somewhere too dim for too long, older leaves — usually the lower, more established ones — will start to yellow and drop as the plant redirects energy to the leaves getting the most light.

The fix: Move your Monstera to a spot with bright, indirect light — near an east or north-facing window is often ideal. Avoid direct harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch leaves rather than help them.

4. Natural aging (and this might not be a problem at all)

Here's something worth knowing before you panic: it's completely normal for a Monstera to occasionally yellow and drop one of its older, lower leaves as it puts energy into new growth. If you're only seeing this happen to a single older leaf near the base of the plant, and the rest of the plant looks healthy, this is likely just natural leaf turnover — not a sign of a problem.

5. Water quality

Tap water often contains chlorine and other treatment chemicals that can build up in the soil over time and stress sensitive plants. If you've ruled out watering habits and light as the cause, this is worth considering, especially if you've had the plant a long time with no issues and the problem started recently with no change in routine.

The fix: Let tap water sit out for 24 hours before using it, which allows some chlorine to dissipate. Or switch to filtered or rainwater if the problem persists.

6. Pests

Less common but worth checking: look closely at the leaves (top and underside) and stems for tiny bugs, webbing, or a sticky residue. Sap-feeding pests can stress a plant enough to cause yellowing.

The fix: Wipe leaves down with a damp cloth and inspect closely under good light. If you find pests, treat with an appropriate insecticidal soap and isolate the plant from other houseplants while treating.

How to figure out which cause is yours

Work through these questions in order: Is only one older, lower leaf yellowing while the rest of the plant looks healthy? Probably natural aging, no action needed. Is the soil wet several inches down? Overwatering — ease off and check drainage. Is the soil bone dry and the leaf edges crispy? Underwatering — water thoroughly and adjust your schedule. Is the plant in a dim spot with several leaves yellowing, especially lower ones? Move it to brighter, indirect light. Have you checked for pests and ruled out watering and light? Consider water quality or inspect closely for pests.

Once you identify the cause and adjust, new growth should come in healthy. The yellowed leaf itself won't turn green again, so once you've fixed the underlying issue, you can trim it off if it's fully yellow.