Monstera are a beautiful plant. Having rich, dark, uniquely shaped leaves and a tolerance for shaded positions has made Monsteras a very popular plant for indoor growth. It is also common that over time these beautiful leaves can become damaged. Once damaged, can your Monstera leaves be fixed? Unfortunately, the short answer is no.
What should you do with damaged leaves?
Well, it depends on how much damage there is. A small cut can be left as-is with no harm to the plant. Larger damage or unsightly leaves will need to be pruned. Pruning the damaged leaves and applying fertiliser will help the Monstera grow new, healthy leaves.
How should I prune damaged leaves?
Simply get a sharp pair of secateurs and cut at the node, not at the leaf. (If you are looking for some high-quality secateurs, here are two great options depending on your budget: option 1 and option 2.)
After pruning back apply a liquid fertiliser like Thrive Indoor Plant Food to help your Monstera grow new leaves.
What should I do if most of my Monstera’s leaves are damaged?
If the majority of your Monstera’s leaves are damaged, it may be best to prune the Monstera back in stages. Start with the worst effected, removing the worst 2-3 leaves. Once new leaves are showing cut the next 2-3 leaves off.
However, the real question to ask if why are so many leaves damaged in the first place? Perhaps changes need to be made to stop more damage occurring.
How to prevent damage to Monstera leaves
- Remove from walkways and traffic areas
Monstera leaves are quite fragile. Brushing past whilst walking through a tight area, or stepping on leaves can cause damage. Move your plant to a more open area where this is less likely to occur. - Remove from windy areas
Monsteras do not like the wind. Keep them in a protected area to prevent future damage. - Avoid direct air conditioner air
Monsteras do not like dry air or extreme fluctuations in temperature. Direct air from an air conditioner can cause damage to the leaves. It’s best to move your Monstera to a more protected area.
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