Finding one of your favorite plants is drooping and looking sad is a shock. Sometimes you can see it coming but others times it can be out of the blue.
So when your Monstera starts to look down and its leaves are drooping it’s not only a surprise but disappointing. You’ve worked hard to keep it happy and yet something has gone wrong.
If you’re not sure what had caused those sad looking leaves then I’m going to take you through the most common reasons for a drooping Monstera and what you can do to save it.
Understanding Your Monstera Plant
Monsteras are pretty calm plants. That is until they’re not. They’ll happily grow for months without complaint and then suddenly – wham! They’re throwing a tantrum and they’re big leaves are drooping.
One of my Monsteras went this way. One day it was perky and happy and then within a day it was a bit of a pathetic sight. But it’s worth remembering that in instances like this your Monstera has probably been dropping hints for weeks before the full droop sets in.
As Monsteras come from the tropical forests of Central America they like filtered light and regular rainfall. When we bring them into our homes they have to adapt to much different conditions. And sometimes they struggle with making that adjustment.
An awful lot of houseplant problems come from watering them badly. But with Monsteras specifically it’s usually one of a few issues that I’m about to go through.
Thankfully most drooping Monstera problems are easy enough to fix if you catch them in time.
Remember though that drooping isn’t just about how a plant looks. It’s a clear sign that something is wrong. Limp leaves are a major cry for help and the sooner you figure out why, the better chance you have of saving your Monstera.
Reasons Your Monstera is Drooping
1. Overwatering
This is one I can talk about with some authority. Mainly because I nearly killed a Monstera of mine by overwatering.
The soil was soggy for weeks and before I knew it the leaves had started to droop like they’d given up on life. It did show me I needed to be a lot more careful with my watering.
Overwatering is probably the most common reason for Monstera drooping. Part of that is because when we see a sad plant our initial reaction is “it needs more water!”. Which only makes the problem worse.
Why it happens:
When soil gets wet on a regular basis the roots can’t breathe. They suffocate and rot and in turn that means they can’t deliver water and nutrients to the rest of the plant. Ironically an overwatered plant has very similar symptoms to an underwatered one – droopy and limp leaves.
What to look for:
- Consistently wet soil
- Yellow leaves (especially lower ones)
- Soft, mushy stems near the base
- Brown spots with yellow halos
- Soil that smells sour or funky
How to fix it:
- Stop watering straightaway
- Move it to somewhere with brighter, indirect light to help soil dry faster
- Check for root rot by removing the plant from its pot
- If you find soft, brown, smelly roots, trim them with sterile scissors
- Repot in fresh soil (I mix regular potting soil with perlite and orchid bark)
- Only water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry
Extra tip: Get a moisture meter. They’re only about $10 to 15 online and means you don’t have to guess when it comes to watering. I definitely got better at watering when I started using one.
2. Underwatering
Overwatering is bad but so is under. After I almost drowned my Monstera I was so paranoid about overwatering it that I went too far in the other direction. And whilst it ended up with slightly different symptoms – crispy leaf edges – both times the leaves went very droopy.
Why it happens:
When plants don’t get enough water they can’t maintain the pressure in their cells (turgor pressure). That pressure is what keeps everything upright and perky. So when you underwater and they can’t maintain the pressure the leaves and stems all begin to droop.
What to look for:
- Crispy, brown leaf edges
- Soil pulling away from the sides of the pot
- Dry soil several inches down
- Leaves curling inward
- Drooping that gets worse as the day goes on
How to fix it:
- Water thoroughly until the water runs from the drainage holes
- If the water runs straight through the your soil might be hydrophobic. If so then soak the pot in a few inches of water for 30 minutes
- Come up with a watering schedule based on the conditions of your home
- In summer check moisture levels twice a week
- In the winter reduce how often you are watering
Extra tip: If your Monstera is really underwatered don’t go mad with the water. If you flood it you’ll only cause more problems. Instead water it in stages over a few days so it doesn’t get shocked.
3. Too Much Direct Light
Too much light will absolutely make a Monsteras leaves droop. It will also cause some leaves to develop pale and bleached spots.
This can happen easily too. Just moving it temporarily to a different window can be enough to subject it to too much light.
Why it happens:
Despite coming from the tropics Monsteras grow under the forest canopy in the wild. And so they would naturally get dappled, indirect light. Direct sunlight, especially when it comes through the glass of windows which will intensify the heat, can burn their leaves and cause the plant to droop. This happens because the plant is trying to reduce it’s exposure to the light.
What to look for:
- Pale, bleached patches on leaves
- Drooping worse on the side facing the sun
- Leaves curling
- Yellow or brown patches where the sun has hit the plant directly
- Leaves feeling warm to the touch in the afternoon
How to fix it:
- Move your Monstera 3 to 6 feet away from the window
- If you only have bright windows add a sheer curtain to filter the light
- Rotate it often so all sides get even amounts of light
- Trim the very damaged leaves at the base with clean shears
Extra tip: Monsteras are strong enough to tolerate direct sun in the morning. But if you do go this way then you need to remember to protect your Monstera from the intense afternoon sunlight. An east facing window is perfect in this situation.
4. Temperature Stress
I left a Monstera near a draft window in the winter and the temperature suddenly dropped to around 50°F. Within a few hours the leaves were drooping and I had to act quickly to save it.
Why it happens:
As Monsteras are tropical plants they thrive in temperatures between 65 to 85°F. So when the temperature drop below 60°F, their metabolism slows and they struggle to move water through their systems. This results in droopy leaves.
What to look for:
- Drooping without changes in soil moisture
- Dark spots appearing on leaves after any sort of exposure to the cold
- Yellowing leaves during the winter months
- Slow or halted growth
- Drooping worse when put near windows, doors or AC vents
How to fix it:
- Move your plant away from drafty areas, windows and air conditioning
- Maintain room temperature between 65 to 80°F
- Keep plants away from radiators and heaters as they cause dry air
- If needed create a pebble tray with water underneath (not touching the pot) which will increase humidity
- Group plants together as they create a more humid climate with each other
Extra tip: Temperature fluctuations can be just as damaging as consistently low temperatures. You want stable temperatures both day and night. So find the right spot where your Monstera will get that.
5. Root Bound
The first time I repotted a very old Monstera I nearly needed a hammer to get it out of its pot. It was ridiculously root bound. In fact the roots had become a solid mass and completely filled the container. So it wasn’t a huge shock it was drooping.
Why it happens:
As Monsteras grow their roots get bigger. When they run out of space the roots will circle the pot and become entangled, especially when it’s very tight. When this happens it limits their ability to absorb water and nutrients which will lead to drooping leaves even if you’re doing everything else right.
What to look for:
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes
- Roots circling around the surface of the soil
- Plant lifting itself out of its pot
- Soil drying out very quickly after watering
- Slowed growth despite care for it well
How to fix it:
- Gently remove the plant from its pot
- If its extremely root bound then loosen the roots with your fingers
- For very tight root balls make a few shallow slices with a clean knife
- Repot in a container that is 2 to 4 inches larger in diameter
- Use fresh soil that drains well
- Water fully after repotting
Extra tip: Spring is the perfect time to repot a Monsteras. However if yours is really root bound then don’t wait. It’s better to repot it straightaway rather than let it struggle.
6. It’s Fighting Pests
When I noticed tiny webs underneath my Monstera’s drooping leaves my heart sank. It was spider mites. And they will kill a Monstera given the chance.
Why it happens:
Pests like spider mites, scale, mealybugs, thrips etc. feed on the tissues and sap of plants. And doing so, unsurprisingly, weakens them. As the pests get stronger and multiply they drain enough from your Monstera so that it droops. This is because it’s struggling to maintain normal functions.
What to look for:
- Tiny insects on stems or under the leaves
- Sticky residue on leaves or surrounding surfaces (honeydew)
- Speckling or stippling on leaf surfaces
- Webbing between the leaves (spider mites)
- White cottony areas in the joints of leaves (mealybugs)
How to fix it:
- Stop pests from spreading by isolating the affected plant
- For lighter infestations wipe leaves with insecticidal soap solution
- For heavier cases spray with neem oil solution (2 tsp neem oil, 1 tsp mild dish soap, 1 quart water)
- Treat weekly for at least 3 weeks to fully break the life cycles of any pests
- For more severe infestations you may have to use a systemic insecticide
Extra tip: Prevention is so important. I wipe my Monstera’s leaves monthly with a damp cloth nowadays because of having dealt with one outbreak. Doing so removes dust and any potential pests before they have a chance to grow and become established.
7. It’s Stressed From a Recent Move
Moving can really upset an otherwise happy Monstera. It might be the case that nothing else has changed in how you’re caring for it but a new environment has simply throw it off.
Why it happens:
Plants are more sensitive to things like environmental changes than we give them credit for. A new locations means different light conditions, humidity levels, air circulation and even the chemistry of the water you’re giving them. When they have to deal with this sort of environmental shock it can cause temporary drooping as the plant adjusts.
What to look for:
- Drooping soon after being relocated
- No other obvious signs of distress
- Recovers partially during the day but the drooping is worse at night
- Dropped leaves (a few is normal during adjustment)
How to fix it:
- Be patient – adjustment can take 2 to 4 weeks
- Don’t make any major changes to how you’re caring for your Monstera
- Try to match previous light conditions as closely as possible
- Hold off on fertilizing until it is happy again
- Give it slightly higher humidity if you can
Extra tip: If you’re a Monstera, or any plant, take photos of them in their original location. This will help you to recreate similar lighting and positioning wherever you are moving them to.
FAQs About Drooping Monsteras
How quickly should my Monstera recover after fixing the issue?
It really depends on how bad the problem is. For minor issues like slight underwatering you could see some improvement within 24 hours. For more serious problems like root rot or pest infestations you should expect recovery to take weeks or even months.
Be patient though – plants go at their own pace. The newest leaves usually perk up first whereas the older, damaged leaves might never fully recover. As long as you’re seeing new growth and it’s gradually improving you can feel confident you’re on the right track.
Should I remove drooping leaves?
I only remove leaves that are more than 50% damaged or completely yellow/brown. Even leaves that are somewhat damaged will still be photosynthesizing and giving your Monstera energy for it’s recovery. Once you begin to see new growth you can start being a bit more aggressive with removing older, damage leaves.
Can drooping be normal?
Yes. Some slight drooping in the evening or before the regular day you water your Monstera can be completely normal. My Monstera will often have a bit of a “slump” right before its gets watered. But it perks back up within a few hours after getting it’s drink. You want to be concerned when it’s drooping a lot or it doesn’t improve when you’ve given it it’s basic needs.
Why is my Monstera drooping after repotting?
Repotting shock is real! Even with careful handling, repotting upsets the roots and will temporarily reduces how effective they are. Give your plant 2 to 3 weeks to adjust before expecting it to get back to normal appearance. Keep it in slightly lower light during this period and don’t fertilize it until you see signs of new growth.
Can I use fertilizer to fix drooping?
Not immediately. Fertilizer won’t fix most causes of drooping and can actually make thonhs worse if the issue is related to root damage. Fix the underlying problem first. Then wait until the plant shows signs of recovery before you resume you’re regular fertilizing. I only fertilize my Monsteras at half strength once a month during the growing season.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a drooping Monstera back from the brink or retiring its health is very rewarding. I still remember the day I noticed my first leaf unfurling after nursing an early Monstera back to life. It was a big moment for me and felt like a personal victory.
What I learnt and should have been obvious is that plants are constantly communicating with us. We just need to learn their language. A drooping Monstera isn’t giving up – it’s asking for help in the only way it knows how.
Regularly observing your plants will make all the difference. I take a few minutes each weekend to really look at my plants. That means checking the soil, inspecting the stems, looking under their leaves and so on. This has helped me avoid a number of problems before they became serious.
So with the right care and a little patience your sad, drooping Monstera can come back and be as healthy and thriving as it was before.