Monstera Thai Constellation: New Leaves with Brown Tips – House Plant Journal

Monstera Thai Constellation: New Leaves with Brown Tips

Plant: Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’

How long have you had the plant? 1 to 2 years

Concerns:

The first four leaves of the plant are okay, but the last two that have grown have become mostly brown. When I put her in the sun, it’s too much for the paler parts of her leaves. Help!

The rest of the plant:

Light Situation: It does not get any direct sunlight

How do you determine WHEN to water: I wait for the soil to become dry – about halfway dry.

Describe HOW you water: Fully soak the soil, letting excess drain away.

What fertilizer do you use? I have never used fertilizer.

When was the last time you repotted? Between 6 months to 1 year ago.

Darryl’s Analysis

Environment:
The space above your refrigerator would be considered VERY LOW light – only the snake plant would die the slowest up there.  Ideally, you should put this plant RIGHT IN FRONT of a large window – the goal is so that the plant can see as much of the open sky as possible and if the direct sun will shine on the plant for LONGER than 2 or 3 hours, then block it with a white sheer curtain.  A ‘Thai Constellation’ monstera is an expensive plant – don’t starve it in a dark corner!

Effort:
Your watering strategy sounds good but your plant would do better with fertilizer (and the light improvement mentioned above).

The discolorations (patchy faded yellow with brown edges) are consistent with a thrips infestation.  See if you can see any larvae – very tiny yellowish/white-ish insects:

Read this article for treatment options/products.

Expectations:
The brown tips that occurred on the paler parts of the plant are inevitable unless you have exceptionally pure water and high humidity.  They aren’t caused by “too much sun”.  The damage to this newest leaf is from thrips.  Follow the treatment regime in the article (you will be treating it for weeks or months) and although this leaf will always be damaged, the next leaf to grow should be nicer – but growth is only possible with good light.

The overall plant would grow better if you improve the light situation.  If you want the best “bright indirect light”, the goal is not to avoid direct sun – the first priority is to allow the plant to see as much of the open sky as possible (hence being as close to your largest window as possible); the second priority is if the duration of direct sun exceeds 2 or 3 hours, then diffuse it with a white sheer curtain.

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