You may see brown stems on your monstera deliciosa – like flaky bits on the stem, scales, shriveled brown things that protrude outwards before stopping, and brown, sunken-looking stems (I’ve included pictures below).
Most of these things are completely normal and nothing to worry about. But there are some changes you can make to help your monstera deliciosa grow bigger, bushier, and healthier when you spot brown stems.
Keep reading to discover the reason why you’re seeing brown stems on your monstera deliciosa, and what you need to do about it (if anything).
Why is My Monstera Growing Brown Stems?
Brown stems can be a problem, or a very normal part of your monstera deliciosa’s growth. See the images below to learn why your monstera is growing brown stems.
1. Dry, flaky brown bits on stems
- Why: It’s simply the residue of a new leaf that’s sprouted.
- Action needed: None, you can pull it off carefully, but it won’t do anything other than make your plant look a little tidier.
This is completely normal. It’s what gets left behind after a new leaf emerges from the stem. Usually, it’ll flake away and fall off by itself over time.
You can pull it off if you like (carefully to avoid damaging the stem), but sometimes it’s best to leave it be. It’s natural, after all!
2. Small, scaly patches on stems (corking)
- Why: It helps reinforce the structure of your monstera as it grows.
- Action needed: None, although you can install a moss pole if you want to help reinforce the strength of your monstera stem.
Fragments of brown on monstera stems that look and feel scaly is also very normal. In the simplest of terms, it happens when monsteras grow taller to prevent them from falling over.
You don’t need to do anything, as it’s a good thing for your plant and a sign that it’s healthy.
You can install extra supports to help your plant, like a moss pole. But this likely won’t prevent corking, as it’s a natural process as your monstera grows.
3. Shriveled, protruding stems (aerial roots)
- Why: Aerial roots grow on monstera stems and, if humidity is low, the roots won’t sprout new stems and they may shrivel up.
- Action needed: You can cut below the aerial root and place it in water for propagation, or increase humidity to help it bush out, or you can leave it as is.
Monstera deliciosa has aerial roots, which can look like brown stems shooting out of your houseplant. They can protrude quite far out of the main stem and may shrivel up over time.
These are actually new roots and, again, are nothing to be concerned about. High humidity (like placing the monstera deliciosa in a greenhouse or kitchen windowsill) will help new stems grow next to the roots.
If you cut your monstera below the aerial root and place it in water, you can propagate your houseplant (this is where it grows new roots in water and turns into a new plant).
4. Long stretches of sunken stem (stem rot)
- Why: Stem rot is usually caused by a fungal or bacterial infection, which is often caused by overwatering your monstera.
- Action needed: You’ll need to remove the infected areas, change the soil, clean the pot, and spray the roots with a fungicide.
If you haven’t already guessed, stem rot is a problem for your monstera deliciosa. It’s usually caused by overwatering or a fungal/bacterial infection on your houseplant.
When a monstera has stem rot, long stretches of the stem will turn brown, appear sunken, feel mushy, and potentially start smelling. You may also see black leaves on the monstera stem, or it may have lost its leaves.
You’ll need to remove the infected areas by cutting them away. You should also repot the plant into fresh soil, cleaning the existing or new pot beforehand to remove any remaining bacteria.
Spraying the roots of your monstera with a fungicide can also sterilize the roots and remove the infection entirely.
Afterwards, you may need to water your houseplant less, or move it to an area with better airflow (like near a window or door).
FAQ
How to Stop Stem Rot in Monstera?
Act quickly to stop stem rot on a monstera. Cut away the infected areas, rinse the soil from the roots, spray it with a fungicide solution, and place your monstera in a clean pot with new soil.
Why is the Stem Of My Plant Turning Brown?
Stems can turn brown for many reasons on houseplants – some normal, some not so. If the plant doesn’t look healthy, brown stems can be a sign of root rot, stem rot, overwatering, or a fungal infection.
If the plant looks healthy and is flourishing, brown stems can actually be aerial roots, corking (which strengthens the stem), or flaky bits that are simply left behind when your houseplant sprouts new leaves.
Can I Cut the Brown Stems Off My Monstera?
You can cut away the entire stem of a monstera if it’s badly damaged or infected with stem rot. However, it will take some time to grow back.
Reviving a monstera is possible with time, effort, and the right conditions. But you’ll need to address the problem first by refreshing the soil and disinfecting the roots with a hydrogen peroxide and water spray solution.
Summary
Brown stems on a monstera usually aren’t stems at all – they’re actually new roots trying to grow, residue from new leaves, or natural strengtheners your houseplant is growing.
It could be stem rot, which could be caused by overwatering or root rot. In these cases, you need to take action to revive your monstera.
But otherwise, monstera deliciosa brown stems aren’t anything to worry about, so simply enjoy the fact that your houseplant is happy and growing!
