Monstera Brown Spots or Edges: What They Mean & How to Fix Them

Brown spots and crispy edges on a Monstera are a sign of cellular damage, and the exact appearance (color, location, and texture) can help you diagnose the specific problem.

Here is a guide to the most common causes and the steps you need to take to fix them.

💧 Water and Humidity Issues

1. Brown Tips/Edges (Crispy and Light Brown)

This is the classic sign of dehydration, which can be caused by two main factors:¹

Cause	Appearance & Meaning	Solution
Underwatering	Dry, crispy edges/tips and the soil is bone dry. The plant is not getting enough water, causing the leaf tissue furthest from the stem to dry out.	Water thoroughly until water drains freely from the pot's drainage holes. Increase watering frequency, checking that the top 2 inches of soil are dry before the next watering.
Low Humidity	Light brown, papery tips or edges that start small and spread inward. Monsteras are tropical and prefer humidity above 40-50%.	Increase humidity around the plant: use a humidifier, group plants together, or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (making sure the pot base is not sitting in the water).

2. Brown/Black Spots (Mushy or Dark)

This is a sign of too much moisture, which can lead to serious issues.

Cause	Appearance & Meaning	Solution
Overwatering / Root Rot	Dark brown, black, or soft/mushy spots or patches that may appear random across the leaf. The soil is likely wet, and the roots are suffocating and rotting.	Stop watering immediately. Check the roots for rot (mushy, black roots) and repot into fresh, dry, well-draining aroid soil if needed. Only water when the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry.
Fungal/Bacterial Spot	Brown or black spots that may have a yellow halo around them, often feeling water-soaked. Caused by excess moisture on the leaves and poor air circulation.	Prune affected leaves immediately with sterilized shears to stop the spread. Increase air circulation (use a small fan) and avoid misting the leaves.

☀️ Environmental and Nutrient Issues

3. Sunburn (Bleached or Crispy Brown Patches)²

Monstera leaves are not built for direct, intense sunlight.³

• Appearance: Patches of yellow-brown or bleached-looking spots where the direct sun hits the leaf, often crispy.⁴

  
  

• Solution: Move the plant out of the path of direct sun.⁵ It should receive bright, indirect light (you should not see a sharp shadow when the sun is out).⁶

4. Fertilizer Burn / Salt Build-up⁷

Over-fertilizing or using hard tap water can lead to a build-up of mineral salts in the soil, which burns the roots and causes cell death in the leaves.⁸

• Appearance: Brown tips or edges that appear even when watering is correct. Sometimes accompanied by a white crust on the soil surface or pot rim.

• Solution:

  • Flush the Soil: Water the plant heavily with distilled or filtered water for several minutes to allow the water to run through and leach out the excess salts.⁹

    
    

  • Adjust Routine: Fertilize less frequently, or use a weaker solution (half-strength).

✂️ Pruning Damaged Leaves

Once a Monstera leaf has turned brown, that portion of the leaf tissue is dead and will not turn green again.¹⁰

• For small tips/edges: You can trim just the brown portion off with clean scissors, following the natural shape of the leaf to make it look tidier.¹¹

  
  

• For severely damaged leaves: If the leaf is mostly brown or showing signs of fungal/bacterial infection, it's best to remove the entire leaf at the stem to allow the plant to focus its energy on new, healthy growth.¹²