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You can tell your monstera is overwatered by looking for yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and soggy soil that just won’t dry out.
Overwatering is one of the most common ways people accidentally harm their monstera, and it’s completely fixable once you spot the signs early.
If you’ve been watering on a strict schedule or your pot lacks proper drainage, your monstera is likely telling you it’s had too much.
In this post, we’ll walk through every clue that shows how to tell if monstera is overwatered, plus what to do about it.
Let’s dive in and save your plant together.
Key Signs To Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
The fastest way to tell if monstera is overwatered is to check the leaves, stems, and soil for a few very specific changes.
These symptoms don’t appear all at once, but they do follow a pattern that’s easy to recognize once you know what to look for.
Here are the most reliable indicators that your monstera is overwatered.
1. Yellowing Lower Leaves Are The First Clue To Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
When you’re trying to figure out how to tell if monstera is overwatered, start with the oldest leaves at the bottom of the plant.
Overwatered monstera leaves often turn a pale, sickly yellow before they eventually brown and drop off.
This happens because the roots are sitting in water and can’t absorb oxygen properly.
Without oxygen, the roots stop delivering nutrients, and the plant sacrifices its oldest leaves first to survive.
So if you notice yellowing on lower leaves while the soil feels wet, that’s a classic sign your monstera is overwatered.
2. Soft, Mushy Stems Indicate Your Monstera Is Overwatered
Another clear way to tell if monstera is overwatered is by gently squeezing the stems near the base.
Healthy monstera stems are firm and sturdy, but overwatered ones become soft, squishy, and almost hollow feeling.
This mushy texture is a sign of stem rot, which is caused by waterlogged soil creating the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi.
If you catch this early, you might be able to save the plant by cutting away the damaged parts.
But if the entire stem is mushy, it’s a strong indicator that your monstera is overwatered beyond recovery.
3. Dark, Wet Spots On Leaves Help You Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
Black or dark brown spots on the leaves are another powerful way to tell if monstera is overwatered.
These spots often appear with a yellowish halo around them, which is different from the crispy brown edges caused by underwatering.
The dark spots are actually dead tissue caused by root rot spreading upward into the plant.
When you see these lesions, it’s a serious warning that your monstera is overwatered and needs immediate action.
4. Constantly Damp Soil Makes It Easy To Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
One of the simplest checks to tell if monstera is overwatered is to stick your finger about two inches into the soil.
If it feels wet, cold, or muddy even several days after watering, your monstera is overwatered.
Healthy monstera soil should dry out partially between waterings, and the top inch should feel dry to the touch.
You can also lift the pot; if it feels heavy and water runs out when you tilt it, that’s a definite sign your monstera is overwatered.
5. A Foul Smell From The Soil Can Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
Take a sniff near the base of your monstera to tell if monstera is overwatered in a more unusual way.
Overwatered soil that’s been sitting soggy for too long develops a sour, rotten odor.
This smell comes from anaerobic bacteria thriving in oxygen-deprived, waterlogged conditions.
If your monstera’s pot smells like a swamp, there’s no question that your monstera is overwatered.
How To Confirm Your Monstera Is Overwatered vs Underwatered
Sometimes it’s tricky to tell if monstera is overwatered because the symptoms can overlap with underwatering.
Both conditions can cause drooping leaves, browning edges, and leaf drop, which confuses a lot of plant parents.
But there are a few key differences that make it easier to tell if monstera is overwatered versus underwatered.
Check The Soil Moisture To Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
The most reliable way to tell if monstera is overwatered is to check the soil moisture level directly.
If the soil is bone dry and pulling away from the pot’s edges, your monstera is underwatered instead.
But if the soil is dark, soggy, and clings to your fingers, your monstera is overwatered without a doubt.
You can also use a moisture meter for a more precise reading.
Anything above a 5 on the meter means your monstera is overwatered and needs time to dry out.
Examine The Leaf Texture To Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
Underwatered leaves feel dry, papery, and crispy at the edges.
In contrast, overwatered monstera leaves feel soft, limp, and sometimes even wrinkled despite being moist.
Gently bend a leaf; if it feels floppy and lacks firmness, that’s a big clue your monstera is overwatered.
Also, look for leaves that curl downward or feel waterlogged to the touch.
This texture difference is one of the easiest ways to tell if monstera is overwatered without any tools.
Look At The Roots To Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
If you’re still unsure, gently slide the monstera out of its pot and examine the root system.
Healthy roots are white or light tan and feel firm when you squeeze them.
Roots that are brown, black, slimy, or falling apart mean your monstera is overwatered and suffering from root rot.
Trimming away the rotten roots is essential to save an overwatered monstera.
This root check is the ultimate test to tell if monstera is overwatered once and for all.
What To Do Once You Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered
So you’ve confirmed your monstera is overwatered, now what do you do?
The good news is that monstera plants are resilient, and with quick action, you can bring yours back to health.
Follow these steps as soon as you’ve determined your monstera is overwatered.
1. Stop Watering Immediately If Your Monstera Is Overwatered
The very first thing to do is put the watering can away.
Once your monstera is overwatered, any additional moisture will only worsen the root damage.
Wait until the top two to three inches of soil are completely dry before you even think about watering again.
This might take a week or longer, and that’s perfectly fine.
Your monstera is overwatered, so patience is your best tool right now.
2. Improve Drainage To Fix An Overwatered Monstera
If your monstera is overwatered, check that the pot has drainage holes at the bottom.
If it doesn’t, repot it into a container with holes so excess water can escape freely.
You can also add a layer of perlite or coarse sand to the soil mix to improve aeration.
A well-draining potting mix is crucial for preventing an overwatered monstera in the future.
Consider using a terracotta pot, which wicks moisture away from the soil naturally.
3. Repot If The Monstera Is Overwatered With Root Rot
For severe cases where your monstera is overwatered and has visible root rot, repotting is necessary.
Remove the plant from its soggy soil, and gently rinse the roots with room temperature water.
Use sterilized scissors to cut away all dark, mushy, or smelly roots.
Then repot the monstera in fresh, dry, well-draining soil.
This gives your plant a clean start and removes the harmful bacteria that thrive when a monstera is overwatered.
4. Adjust Your Watering Routine To Avoid An Overwatered Monstera
To prevent your monstera from being overwatered again, change how you water.
Instead of watering on a fixed schedule, only water when the top two inches of soil are dry.
Water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom, but never let the pot sit in standing water.
During winter months, your monstera needs even less water, so reduce frequency accordingly.
This simple habit will help you tell if monstera is overwatered before it becomes a serious issue.
So, Can You Tell If Monstera Is Overwatered And Save It?
Yes, you can absolutely tell if monstera is overwatered, and you can save it with prompt care.
The key is catching the yellow leaves, mushy stems, dark spots, damp soil, or foul smell early.
Once you’ve identified that your monstera is overwatered, stop watering, improve drainage, and repot if needed.
Your monstera will bounce back with new growth once the roots get the oxygen they crave.
Keep an eye on the soil moisture going forward, and always let it dry out between waterings.
Now you know exactly how to tell if monstera is overwatered and what to do about it.
Your monstera will thank you with lush, fenestrated leaves for years to come.