Monsteras are semi-epiphytic in that they start off on the ground and then climb up trees. The roots run along the tree trunks exposed to a lot of air and breezes. On the ground most of the roots run through the leaf litter which is usually light and airy. Rain and air humidity is high but water run off is virtually instantaneous. You're better off using a very light epiphytic medium that drains fast and water more frequently.

Hi everyone! I’ve owned my monstera for 2.5 years and I’ve never had any troubles with it. It’s been a great grower and super easy to care for. I moved last month and ever since then it’s been slowly yellowing on the edges and the growth has stopped. Last week it finally warmed up in CA, so I thought maybe it needed some warmth and I put it outside for an hour last week (not in direct sunlight, just under my porch) and the next day I noticed the dark areas on one leaf. I’m assuming the leaf got burned, even though it wasn’t in the direct sunlight? I will also mention that last week I took out some of the old dry soil and replaced it with it new soil (a mixture of MG organic potting soil, peat moss, and perlite. Maybe not the best but It’s all I had on hand at the moment) and some fertilizer (osmocote plus for indoor/outdoor plants). I’m no plant pro, so maybe I gave it too much fertilizer. Maybe too many changes at once? I’m wondering if the leaf will repair itself or if I should be worried that something else might be wrong with it. Thanks so much for your help. Savannah in Northern CA

Yours is slightly larger than mine. Mine is my first and I got it at a nursery in early June. I really like it. To me, the marks on your leaves look like shipping damage from the leaves being bent too much. The younger leaves yellowing could be just from acclimation to your new environment. The leaves pulling out and the new leaves that appear to fall apart - I am not sure what that could be. It probably all began with the lack of drainage you mentioned. Fungus gnats love moist unventilated indoor soil. I used to have a lot inside in the winter and none now in the summer. Others on this board can give you some more help than me. I've had a few indoor plants that began dying in early Spring. Then when I placed them outdoors and in the ground they ALL perked up. My banana had several treatments of copper fungicide even after being planted in the ground. It's beginning to look nice. Back to my M. Deliciosa - I place it outdoors almost daily in dappled sun and never in the wind. It's doing well. No issues. I bring it in when windy or if rain is eminent. I also back off the water. I only water when I can detect dryness by sticking my finger 1" into the soil. It's hard for me to not water like I do other plants. But I know they have aerial roots in their natural habitat and climb up trees. So their roots are exposed to the air. Here's mine when I got it on June 10: https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/48e2ed860b1dde23_9-4068/home-design.jpg And here it is outside tonight - 3 new leaves have opened since buying it. It still bothers me to see the soil that dry. Those flipped over chairs around them filter the sun they get: (on left is Philo. 'Brasil, center is Pothos Epipremnum aureum 'Manjula')

Hi, did you find out what's wrong with your monstera? My monstera looks similar, the new leaf after repoting. Thanks.