Root Rot in Monstera
The Swiss cheese plant is a stunning tropical houseplant with large, fenestrated leaves
Monstera care requirements
These care conditions are most relevant to root rot in Monstera. Check each one as a potential cause.
Symptoms to look for in Monstera
Roots turn brown to black and feel mushy or slimy rather than firm. Above soil, look for yellowing lower leaves, wilting despite moist soil, stunted new growth, and a sour smell from the pot — Monstera's naturally chunky aerial roots can make early rot harder to spot since some root exposure above soil is normal for this species.
Common causes in Monstera
Monstera is an epiphyte in the wild, adapted to fast-draining conditions with air around its roots — root rot almost always comes from a mix that's too dense or a pot without drainage holes, compounded by watering before the top 2 inches of soil have dried out.
How to diagnose root rot in Monstera
Remove plant from pot. Healthy roots are white/tan and firm. Rotted roots are brown/black and mushy.
How to treat root rot in Monstera
Remove the plant from its pot, trim away any brown or mushy roots with sterilised scissors, and repot into a fresh, well-draining mix with extra perlite. Water sparingly for the next few weeks and hold off feeding until new growth appears.
Preventing root rot in Monstera
Always let the top 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings, use a chunky mix with perlite, and make sure the pot has drainage holes — Monstera's epiphytic roots need airflow more than constant moisture.