Why are the tips of my monstera’s big leaves turning brown?

Brown tips on a monstera can come from dry air or uneven watering. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach calls low humidity the most common reason for brown leaf tips. Check the air first, then the soil, then the roots. Fertilizer salts, strong sun and cold can also play a part.

Updated 27 October 2026

Which brown-tip pattern matches your monstera?

Brown leaves have more than one possible cause. The Royal Horticultural Society says an accurate diagnosis often depends on what other signs of ill-health are present. Use the table to match what you see.

Plant Doctor, an AI plant diagnosis app for iPhone, can look at three photos and suggest the most likely cause, along with a step-by-step care plan.

Is dry air browning my monstera’s leaf tips?

Dry air is the most likely cause. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach calls low humidity the most common reason for brown leaf tips. It says home humidity is often low, especially in winter. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension says monstera leaf edges turn brown when humidity is too low.

Monstera prefers medium to high humidity, but the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension says it tolerates a wide range of conditions once acclimated. The Royal Horticultural Society says very dry air, or standing too close to a radiator, can turn the leaf edges of a Swiss cheese plant brown. That is another name for monstera.

1. Move it from heat. Keep the plant away from radiators and other direct heat, as the Royal Horticultural Society advises.
2. Try a tray. Stand the pot in a saucer over a larger tray of moist gravel. Keep the water level below the top of the gravel.
3. Group plants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach lists grouping plants as a way to raise humidity around a houseplant.
4. Add a humidifier. The same extension also lists a humidifier or a terrarium.
5. Mist if you like. The Royal Horticultural Society lists regular misting too.

How should I water a monstera with brown tips?

Water evenly. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says inconsistent watering, in particular letting plants dry out too long between waterings, causes brown leaf tips or edges. The Royal Horticultural Society says brown tips may mean over-watering, or more likely under-watering.

• The UConn Home and Garden Education Center says to let the top 2-3 inches of soil dry between waterings.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension says to water thoroughly and let the growing medium dry slightly between waterings. It also says to water the moss-covered support so the aerial roots get water.
• The Royal Horticultural Society says never to leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water. It also says to avoid soggy potting media and bone-dry conditions, and to aim for moist media.

Not sure if the plant is too wet or too dry? Compare the signs in overwatering vs. underwatering, or read how to tell if a plant needs water.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says too much chlorine or fluoride in water, over an extended time, can cause brown leaf tips, especially on sensitive species. It says to use a different water source if this is suspected. The Royal Horticultural Society suggests rainwater or filtered water where possible.

How do I check my monstera’s roots?

Slide the plant out of its pot and look at the roots. The UC Statewide IPM Program says houseplants can often be taken out of their containers so the roots can be examined.

The Royal Horticultural Society says brown, rotted, soft roots suggest you should reduce watering. The UConn Home and Garden Education Center says root and stem rot shows as wilting, with brown or black, soft, mushy roots that pull away easily.

The Royal Horticultural Society says overwatering, or waterlogging from poorly draining compost, can cause roots to rot. The UC Statewide IPM Program says drainage can get poor as potting media ages, settles and compacts at the bottom of the pot. The UConn center says drought stress can also damage roots, though overwatering is more often the cause of these problems in houseplants. For rot signs, see root rot in houseplants.

Repot only if the roots call for it. UConn says to repot when roots have reached the bottom and side of the pot, and to increase pot size gradually. The Royal Horticultural Society says to avoid a much larger pot. Read whether to repot a struggling plant first.

Could sun, fertilizer, cold or pests add to the brown tips?

The UC Statewide IPM Program says brown leaf tips are usually caused by overfertilization, salt buildup, or excessively dry or wet soil. It says they may also come from too much sun or heat through a window, low humidity, or a drafty setting.

• Fertilizer salts. UConn says monstera is easily burned by high soil salts. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says salts from too much fertilizer can cause brown leaf edges. Its advice is to flush the soil, cut fertilizer rates and frequency, and possibly repot.
• Sun. The Royal Horticultural Society says direct sun can scorch the leaves. UConn says the large leaves burn easily, so change light levels with care. See how much light a houseplant needs.
• Cold. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension says monstera does not grow below 50 °F, and frost kills it. UConn says that outdoors in summer, temperatures should not drop below 45 °F, and long exposure to colder air causes cold damage.
• Pests. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension says monstera has few pests indoors but may get aphids, mealybugs, scale insects or spider mites. UConn says spider mites drain chlorophyll and leave fine white stippling. The Royal Horticultural Society says wiping the leaves regularly removes insects. See spider mites on houseplants.

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