Why Are The Bottom Leaves Of My Monstera Turning Yellow

The bottom leaves of your monstera turning yellow is usually a sign of overwatering, but it can also be caused by a few other common care mistakes.
 
If you’ve noticed the lowest leaves on your plant losing their deep green color and turning a pale, sickly yellow, you’re not alone.
 
This is one of the most frequent questions I get from monstera owners, and the good news is that it’s often easy to fix once you understand what your plant is trying to tell you.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into why the bottom leaves of your monstera are turning yellow, how to diagnose the exact cause, and what steps you can take to get your plant back to its lush, vibrant self.
 
Let’s get those leaves green again.
 

Why Are The Bottom Leaves Of My Monstera Turning Yellow?

The bottom leaves of your monstera turning yellow is almost always tied to how you’re watering, but light and nutrients play a big role too.
 
When the oldest leaves at the base of the plant start to yellow, it’s a sign that something is off with the plant’s environment or root system.
 
Let’s break down the most likely culprits so you can pinpoint the issue quickly.
 

1. Overwatering Is The Number One Cause

Overwatering is the most common reason why the bottom leaves of your monstera are turning yellow.
 
When you water too frequently, the soil stays soggy and the roots can’t get enough oxygen.
 
This leads to root rot, and the plant responds by sacrificing its oldest leaves first, turning them yellow before they eventually brown and drop.
 
If your monstera’s soil feels wet several days after watering, or if the pot is sitting in a saucer of water, you’re likely overdoing it.
 
A good rule of thumb is to let the top two inches of soil dry out completely before watering again.
 

2. Underwatering Can Also Cause Yellowing

While overwatering is more common, underwatering is another reason why the bottom leaves of your monstera might be turning yellow.
 
If the plant goes too long without water, the roots dry out and can’t deliver moisture and nutrients to the leaves.
 
The lower leaves will start to yellow and feel crispy or brittle to the touch.
 
Monsteras prefer consistent moisture, so if you’ve been neglecting your watering schedule, that could be your answer.
 
Check the soil with your finger or a moisture meter to see if it’s bone dry a few inches down.
 

3. Poor Drainage Or Compacted Soil

Even if you’re not watering too much, poor drainage can make the bottom leaves of your monstera turn yellow.
 
If your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, or if the soil is heavy and compacted, water pools at the bottom and suffocates the roots.
 
This creates the same effect as overwatering, yellowing of the lower leaves, even if you’re watering sparingly.
 
Make sure your monstera is in a well-draining potting mix, like a chunky aroid blend with perlite and orchid bark.
 
And always use a pot with drainage holes so excess water can escape freely.
 

Other Causes Behind The Yellow Bottom Leaves

If watering isn’t the issue, there are a few other things that could explain why the bottom leaves of your monstera are turning yellow.
 
These are less common but just as important to rule out.
 

1. Too Much Direct Sunlight

Monsteras love bright, indirect light, but direct sun can scorch their leaves.
 
If your plant is sitting in a south-facing window where harsh afternoon rays hit it, the bottom leaves are often the first to show damage.
 
Yellowing from sunburn usually appears as pale, bleached patches that gradually spread.
 
Move your monstera a few feet away from the window, or filter the light with a sheer curtain.
 

2. Nutrient Deficiencies, Especially Nitrogen

Nitrogen is essential for chlorophyll production, and without it, the bottom leaves of your monstera will turn yellow.
 
Since the plant prioritizes new growth, it will pull nitrogen from older lower leaves to feed the top.
 
This leaves the bottom leaves yellowing and weak.
 
If you haven’t fertilized your monstera in months, or if you haven’t repotted it in years, nutrient depletion could be the culprit.
 
Feed your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
 

3. Natural Aging Of Old Leaves

Sometimes, the bottom leaves of your monstera turning yellow is completely natural.
 
As your plant matures and pushes out new growth, the oldest leaves at the base will eventually yellow and die off.
 
This is just the plant’s lifecycle, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
 
If only one or two lower leaves are yellowing while the rest of the plant looks healthy and vibrant, and you’re already following proper care, it’s probably just aging.
 

How To Fix Yellow Leaves On Your Monstera

Once you’ve figured out why the bottom leaves of your monstera are turning yellow, it’s time to take action.
 
Here’s a step-by-step approach to nurse your plant back to health.
 

1. Adjust Your Watering Routine

If overwatering is the issue, stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out thoroughly.
 
If the roots are mushy and black, you may need to repot the plant in fresh, dry soil after trimming away the damaged roots.
 
If underwatering is the problem, give your monstera a deep, thorough soak until water runs out of the drainage holes.
 
Then, establish a consistent watering schedule, checking the top two inches of soil every few days.
 

2. Improve Light And Humidity

Move your monstera to a spot with bright, indirect light, like near an east or north-facing window.
 
Avoid direct sun, but also avoid dark corners where it gets no light at all.
 
Monsteras are tropical plants, so they appreciate humidity above 50%.
 
You can increase humidity with a pebble tray, a humidifier, or by misting the leaves regularly.
 

3. Prune The Yellow Leaves

Once a leaf has turned yellow, it won’t turn green again.
 
Use clean, sharp scissors to trim the yellow leaf off at the base of the stem.
 
This helps the plant redirect energy to healthier growth and keeps your monstera looking tidy.
 
Don’t pull the leaf off, as that can damage the stem.
 

So, Why Are The Bottom Leaves Of My Monstera Turning Yellow?

The bottom leaves of your monstera turning yellow is almost always a fixable issue.
 
In most cases, it comes down to overwatering, but it could also be underwatering, poor drainage, sunburn, nutrient deficiency, or just natural aging.
 
The bottom leaves of your monstera turning yellow means you need to assess your care routine and adjust accordingly.
 
Start by checking the soil moisture and your watering habits, and then move on to light and fertilizer if needed.
 
With a little attention and the right fixes, your monstera will bounce back and reward you with beautiful, healthy green leaves.
 
Happy planting, and here’s to your monstera thriving again.