scienceExpert DiagnosisUpdated Feb 20, 2026

Brown Spots on Monstera Deliciosa

Brown spots on Monstera Deliciosa usually come from overwatering and root issues, leaf infections, or sunburn and low humidity. This page ranks those causes by how often we see them and shows you how to confirm each one.

brown spots on monstera deliciosa (Monstera deliciosa), soft patches with yellow halos on leaf

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Quick Diagnosis

Most Likely Cause: Overwatering leading to root stress or rot.

Soggy soil suffocates Monstera roots, so brown patches often start as water damage, not disease. Check if the top 2 inches of soil stay wet for days or smell sour, then compare to watering habits on similar indoor plants.

Jump to fix steps arrow_downward

Huge leaves mean Monstera Deliciosa shows every mistake, so brown spots are common. Many of us notice this right after upgrading to bright windows, especially if we also grow tropicals like humidity-loving calatheas nearby that prefer even more moisture.

Monstera roots expect a chunky tropical mix, so dense potting soil and frequent watering create problems fast. If you have struggled with similar issues on trailing vines like pothos indoors, the same wet-soil habits usually drive spotting here too.

Brown spots can also show up when leaves stay wet for hours in stagnant air, especially on crowded houseplant shelves. Matching your watering routine to guides on how often to water houseplants prevents many of the stress patterns you see on Monstera Deliciosa.

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Comparison — See AlsoMonstera Deliciosa vs Monstera Adansonii

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Why Monstera Brown Spots Confuse People

Different stresses all end up looking similar on those big Monstera Deliciosa leaves. Overwatering, leaf infections, and sunburn each create brown areas, and once tissue dies, everything just appears as the same uneven patchwork of damage.

Most people never check what the roots are doing, focusing only on the leaves. Sliding the root ball halfway out of the pot to inspect for firm white roots versus brown mush reveals the real problem faster than any guess from leaf photos.

Dead brown patches never turn green again, even when you fix the cause quickly. Expect improvement to show as clean, unspotted new leaves over the next four to eight weeks while older damaged foliage slowly becomes less noticeable under fresh growth.

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Environmental Baseline

Before diagnosing specific failures, confirm your Monstera Deliciosa Indoor Care Guide's environment matches its core care requirements.

forestMonstera Deliciosa Indoor Care Guide Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light, tolerates medium
Water: Moderate, let top 1–2 inches dry
Temp: Ideal 65–85°F, avoid below 55°F

homeTypical Indoor Home

Humidity: 30-50% (Low)
Temp: 65-72°F variable
Light: Often too dim or direct

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Possible Causes

Sorted by likelihood

1. Overwatering and Early Root Rot

Likelihood: High

Soft, water-soaked spots with yellow halos almost always point to overwatering on Monstera Deliciosa, especially in big pots. This is even more common if it sits in decorative covers like many indoor foliage plants.

Identification

remove_circle_outlinePot feels heavy and soil is wet more than three days after watering.
remove_circle_outlineBrown spots start near leaf edges, feel soft, then turn tan and papery later.
remove_circle_outlineLower, older leaves show damage first while new leaves look dull but mostly clean.
remove_circle_outlineRoots look tan to brown and mushy when unpotted, with a sour swampy smell.

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Comparison — See AlsoMonstera vs Philodendron

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Root Health Examination

A direct inspection of the root system distinguishes root rot from drought stress — saving weeks of guesswork.

check_circleHealthy Roots

Firm to the touch
White or light tan color
Earthy, pleasant smell

cancelCompromised Roots

Mushy or slimy texture
Dark brown or black color
Sour, rotting odor

Inspection Step: Gently slide the pot off while supporting the base of the stems. The outer root ball gives sufficient clues without disturbing all the soil.

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When to Worry

A few yellow leaves are normal. If more than 20% of foliage turns yellow within a week, or new growth is affected, act immediately — check the roots first.

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Recovery Protocols

Recovery takes time. Once the root cause is corrected, implement a 30-day stabilization window.

Week 1–2Stop New Damage

Use a moisture check down **2–3 inches** and adjust watering, then inspect roots or sun exposure and correct those immediately. Remove only the worst leaves so you keep enough green surface to power recovery through photosynthesis.

Week 3–4Watch New Growth

Look closely at each new unfurling leaf; it should emerge solid green without fresh brown marks or yellow halos. If spotting appears on brand‑new leaves, revisit soil drainage, light intensity, and humidity instead of assuming the problem has passed.

Week 5–8Stabilize Routine

Settle into a steady pattern where you water only after the top **2 inches** dry and keep light bright but indirect. At this stage, you can gradually prune older spotted leaves, one or two at a time, without shocking the plant.

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Comparison — See AlsoPothos vs Monstera

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Preventing Future Issues

Check the top 2 inches of Monstera soil before every watering and skip the can if it still feels cool and moist. Pair that habit with bright, indirect light and you avoid most brown-spot problems described in watering-frequency guides.

Brown Spots on Monstera Deliciosa

Quick Diagnosis

Why Monstera Brown Spots Confuse People

Environmental Baseline

forestMonstera Deliciosa Indoor Care Guide Care Needs

homeTypical Indoor Home

Possible Causes

1. Overwatering and Early Root Rot

Identification

Root Health Examination

check_circleHealthy Roots

cancelCompromised Roots

When to Worry

Recovery Protocols

Preventing Future Issues

The Fix

2. Leaf Spot Fungal or Bacterial Disease

Identification

The Fix

3. Sunburn and Low Humidity Stress

Identification

The Fix

Brown Spots on Monstera Deliciosa

Quick Diagnosis

Why Monstera Brown Spots Confuse People

Environmental Baseline

forestMonstera Deliciosa Indoor Care Guide Care Needs

homeTypical Indoor Home

Possible Causes

1. Overwatering and Early Root Rot

Identification

Root Health Examination

check_circleHealthy Roots

cancelCompromised Roots

When to Worry

Recovery Protocols

Preventing Future Issues

Related Reads

The Fix

2. Leaf Spot Fungal or Bacterial Disease

Identification

The Fix

3. Sunburn and Low Humidity Stress

Identification

The Fix