Should I cut off dried Monstera leaves?

Author: Susan Hintz  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Pruning Your Monstera Remove dry or dead leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. When pruning your Monstera, use sharp, clean shears and cut any excessive growth at the base of the stem.

Should you cut off dead Monstera leaves?

There's no advantage to removing the leaf. It photosynthesizes light and produces energy to grow. If you remove it, the plant will have less energy. If you wish to remove it for aesthetic reasons, that's fine. It's totally your call.

Should you trim burnt Monstera leaves?

**Trim the Burned Parts:** Snip off the brown and splotchy parts of the leaves with clean scissors. This won't make the damaged parts come back, but it'll help your plant focus its energy on healthy growth.

Should I cut dry leaves off my plant?

Yes, dead leaves, branches, stems, whatever, should be removed from your plant or plants. Removing these can't possibly cause stress, because, after all, they're dead. The plant has nothing invested in them. Cosmetic - the plants look much better without dead stuff on them.

Should you cut off brown parts of leaves in Monstera?

You can cut off the leaf or leave it, but the main thing is that the brown places are the clear signs of overwatering.

How to restart your Monstera

Why are my Monstera leaves turning brown and crispy?

Low humidity causes brown spots on a Monstera leaf because unlike other plant species, it takes in a lot of its water through the leaves. When there isn't enough moisture in the air around the plant it will dry out and turn brown. A leaf that has gone brown due to low humidity will also have a papery texture.

Should you cut brown bits off leaves?

Trimming the brown portions off the leaves with a scissors can improve appearance, but new browning will occur if the root cause is not addressed. Trimming the brown portions off the leaves with a scissors can improve appearance, but new browning will occur if the root cause is not addressed.

Is a plant dead if the leaves are dry?

If your leaves are dry and crunchy at the ends, you may be underwatering your plant. Conversely, if your plant's leaves are brown or yellow, and the soil is still moist days after watering, you may be overwatering it. Delay your watering for a week or two to allow the soil and roots to dry out before adding more.

Can plants recover from dry leaves?

It will depend on the extent of the damage and the plant's natural growth rate. In some cases, full recovery may not be possible. To facilitate the recovery process, it's crucial to provide consistent and appropriate care, including adequate watering, proper lighting, and any necessary pruning.

Should I cut off scorched leaves?

Removing leaf burn depends on a case-by-case basis. If a small part of the leaf is burned, but the plant is still getting water and functioning, it's best to just let it be. In more severe cases where the leaves are completely brown and dry, it is best to remove them before disease takes over the rest of the plant.

Should you wipe down Monstera leaves?

The Monstera is an easy-going plant and is generally pest-free. Treat pests as soon as they appear with weekly sprays of a natural pesticide like neem oil or an insecticide and regularly wipe-down the plants leaves.

Is my Monstera getting too much sun?

Too much light isn't good for your Monstera, either. If your plant is getting more sunlight than it requires, you may notice signs like yellowing or browning leaf edges, curling leaves, or a lack of new growth. The leaves might also appear pale or scorched, weakening the overall plant structure.

Should I let my Monstera dry out?

Q: Do Monsteras like to dry out? A: Monstera plants don't like to dry out too much. Their soil should be moist but not soggy, which can be achieved by watering the plant once every 1-2 weeks.

How do I make my Monstera bushier?

How to Make a Swiss Cheese Plant Bushy. Encourage bushier growth by regularly pruning leggy stems and providing adequate support for your plant. A trellis or stake can help it grow more compactly. Ensure your Monstera has enough light, lack of light can cause this plant to become leggy.

Why is my Monstera growing tall and skinny?

Monstera plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. But when put in areas that don't get sufficient light, such as a dimly lit room or too far from a window, the plant will stretch out in search of more light. This unnecessary strained growth leads to long stems and sparse leaves, resulting in leggy growth.

Should I remove dried leaves?

Leaves with slight damage can be trimmed back, especially if it's the leaf tip. If you prefer to remove the whole dying leaf, that's fine too. Trimming back dying foliage will encourage new growth. However, you also have the option to leave dead leaves on the plant as long as there's not an insect infestation.

Where to cut damaged monstera leaves?

Snip off yellow, dry, or dead leaves near the base of the stem. Whenever you see leaves that aren't healthy, use your sanitized shears or scissors to cut off the damaged leaves. Cut close to the base of the stem so you don't leave long, scraggly stems on the plant.

What happens if you don't remove dead leaves?

Leaves can smother your lawn and eventually kill it.

As the leaves begin to rot, there is also an increased chance for fungus and mold growth. A lawn that is suffering from fungal disease will start developing yellow, white, or brown spots throughout your yard.

Does removing dead leaves help plants?

Trimming and removing dead leaves is a great way to help your plant flourish because it'll no longer try to send energy to the already dead bits. Once they're snipped off, the plant's energy can be evenly distributed to all the parts that need it.

Can a plant recover from crispy leaves?

Your plant should be able to recover once you figure out the culprit that is causing the browning leaves. Adjust your care accordingly and prune off the crispy leaves or browning tips.

Can you rehydrate dead leaves?

When a dried leaf was immersed in liquid water, almost all of the original photosynthetic activity reappeared in the first 30 min of rehydration, provided incisions had been made into the leaf before drying. The rate of water uptake by intact (uncut) leaves was strongly inhibited by anaerobic conditions.

Should I cut off brown leaves in monstera?

When to prune a monstera. Prune your monstera once a year if you need to control its size. Dead leaves can be removed at any time, says Anna. Monsteras are dormant in winter, and tend to grow rapidly during the warmer months.

Should I cut off damaged leaves?

Cutting off dead leaves won't hurt your indoor plants! It will encourage and stimulate new growth, like this elephant ear portodora.

Can brown dry leaves recover?

Under Watering -

This doesn't necessarily mean that you are consistently under watering, as it could have only happened one time to cause the browning. The brown leaf tips will not turn back to green but you can trim the brown edges to get the plant back to looking healthy.

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