Why Is My Monstera Turning Yellow But Growing New Leaves?

Monstera Turning Yellow But Still Growing? Here's What's Happening

You peek over at your Monstera and notice something puzzling: a few leaves have gone a sad, patchy yellow — yet right next to them, a bright new leaf is unfurling like nothing is wrong. Is your plant sick? Is it happy? The answer is usually somewhere in between, and the good news is that this situation is almost always fixable.

At LeafLogic, we hear this question all the time. Let's break down exactly why your Monstera is turning yellow while still pushing out new growth, and what you can do about it right now.

Is It Normal for Monstera Leaves to Turn Yellow?

Yes — to a point. Monsteras are naturally dramatic plants, and some yellowing is a completely normal part of their life cycle. Older, lower leaves will yellow and drop off as the plant matures, redirecting energy toward fresh, fenestrated growth. If it's just one or two older leaves at the base fading out while new leaves emerge at the top, your plant is likely just doing its thing.

The concern starts when multiple leaves across the plant are yellowing, or when young leaves are turning yellow shortly after they open.

Top Reasons Your Monstera Is Turning Yellow

1. Overwatering (The Most Common Culprit)

Overwatering is the number one reason Monstera leaves turn yellow. When roots sit in soggy soil for too long, they can't absorb oxygen properly and begin to rot. This cuts off nutrient flow to the leaves — even as the plant's crown continues producing new growth from stored energy.

Signs of overwatering include:

Yellow leaves that feel soft or mushy
Soggy, compacted soil that stays wet for more than 10 days
A musty smell coming from the pot
Brown, mushy roots (check by gently lifting the plant)

What to do: Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Stick your finger 2 inches into the soil — if it still feels damp, wait. If you suspect root rot, repot into fresh, well-draining soil and trim any black or mushy roots with clean scissors.

2. Inconsistent or Underwatering

On the flip side, inconsistent watering — letting the soil go bone dry for extended periods — can also cause yellowing. Monsteras like to dry out slightly between waterings, but extended drought stress forces the plant to sacrifice older leaves to keep new growth alive.

What to do: Establish a consistent watering routine. During spring and summer, most Monsteras need watering every 7–10 days. In winter, reduce this to every 14 days or longer. Always water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot.

3. Nutrient Deficiency

A Monstera that's actively growing uses up nutrients quickly. If your plant hasn't been fertilized in a while — or if it's been in the same soil for years — it may be depleted of key minerals like nitrogen, magnesium, or iron. Nitrogen deficiency in particular causes older leaves to yellow first, while the plant prioritizes nutrients for new growth.

What to do: Feed your Monstera with a balanced liquid balanced liquid fertilizer (such as a 20-20-20 formula) every 4 weeks during the growing season (spring through early fall). Avoid fertilizing in winter when growth slows. If your plant is in old, compacted soil, consider repotting into fresh quality potting mix.

4. Too Much Direct Sunlight

Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect light. Prolonged exposure to harsh direct sun — especially through a south- or west-facing window in summer — can scorch the leaves, causing yellow or bleached patches. The plant may still push new growth from the shaded center while outer leaves take the damage.

What to do: Move your Monstera a few feet back from direct sun, or filter light with a sheer curtain. Ideal placement is within 5–8 feet of a bright window where no direct rays hit the leaves.

5. Low Light Conditions

Too little light causes a different kind of yellowing — a pale, washed-out appearance across the whole plant, with slow, leggy new growth. The plant struggles to photosynthesize efficiently, so older leaves lose their color as resources are pulled toward new (but often small) leaves.

What to do: Move your Monstera to a brighter spot. If natural light is limited, a grow light on a 12-hour timer can make a dramatic difference. Check out our guide on the best lighting setups for indoor tropical plants for more detail.

6. Root Bound Conditions

When a Monstera outgrows its pot, the roots have nowhere to go and can become compacted and stressed. This leads to poor nutrient and water absorption, causing lower leaves to yellow even while new growth continues from the top.

What to do: Check the pots with drainage holes — if roots are visibly poking out or circling the bottom of the pot, it's time to repot. Choose a new pot that's 2 inches larger in diameter and refresh the soil. Our Monstera repotting guide walks you through the whole process step by step.

7. Pests

Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can cause yellowing by feeding on your plant's sap. Infestations often go unnoticed until multiple leaves are affected. Interestingly, a pest-stressed plant may still produce new leaves as it tries to compensate for the damage.

What to do: Inspect the undersides of leaves closely. Look for fine webbing (spider mites), white cottony clusters (mealybugs), or brown bumps (scale). Treat with neem oil spray or insecticidal soap, repeating every 7 days for 3–4 weeks. For a full breakdown, visit our guide to common Monstera pests.

How to Diagnose the Problem Quickly

Check the soil: Is it soggy or bone dry? This points to watering issues immediately.
Look at which leaves are yellowing: Older, lower leaves = natural or nutrient issue. Young or middle leaves = overwatering, pests, or light problem.
Examine the roots: Healthy roots are white and firm. Brown, mushy roots indicate rot.
Inspect for pests: Check leaf undersides and where leaves meet the stem.
Consider the environment: Has it recently been moved, repotted, or exposed to cold drafts?

When Should You Worry?

A few yellowing leaves on a plant that's actively growing new foliage is almost never cause for panic. However, you should take action quickly if:

More than 30% of the plant's leaves are yellowing simultaneously
New leaves are emerging yellow or pale
The plant has stopped growing entirely despite warm weather
You see signs of root rot or a severe pest infestation

The Bottom Line

A Monstera that's growing new leaves while some older ones yellow is often just prioritizing its resources — a completely natural balancing act. The key is to identify whether an environmental or care factor is accelerating the yellowing beyond normal leaf turnover, and correct it early.

With the right light, consistent watering, and occasional feeding, your Monstera will reward you with those gorgeous, split leaves it's famous for. Still not sure what's going on with your plant? Browse our full Monstera care guide or check out our troubleshooting hub for more common issues and solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Monstera turning yellow but still growing new leaves?

This usually means the plant is sacrificing older leaves to fuel new growth, often due to overwatering, nutrient deficiency, or inconsistent watering. It is generally fixable once the underlying cause is identified.

Is it normal for Monstera leaves to turn yellow?

Yes, some yellowing is normal — older lower leaves naturally yellow and drop as the plant matures. It becomes a concern when multiple leaves across the plant are affected or when young leaves turn yellow shortly after opening.

How do I know if I am overwatering my Monstera?

Signs of overwatering include soft or mushy yellow leaves, soil that stays wet for more than 10 days, a musty smell from the pot, and brown or mushy roots. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings and repot if root rot is suspected.

How often should I water my Monstera?

During spring and summer, water every 7–10 days; in winter, reduce to every 14 days or longer. Always water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot.

Can nutrient deficiency cause Monstera leaves to turn yellow?

Yes, a lack of nutrients like nitrogen, magnesium, or iron causes older leaves to yellow first while the plant prioritizes new growth. Feed your Monstera with a balanced liquid fertilizer regularly, especially during the growing season.