Monstera is one of the most popular houseplants and can be found in almost every household. But the otherwise robust Monstera can also be affected by various diseases, such as leaf spot. Find out in this article what you can do against leaf spot disease.
How to treat and prevent leaf spot on Monstera?
To combat leaf spot on Monstera, remove infected leaves, dispose of them in household waste and treat the plant with a fungicide. As a preventive measure, pay attention to proper care, such as balanced watering, ideal location and fertilization.
How is leaf spot disease recognized on Monstera?
Leaf spot is actually a fungal pathogen. They can be recognized bybrownish to black spots on the leaves They vary in size depending on the pathogen and can spread over the entire leaf. In most cases the spots are demarcated with a darker edge. The fruiting bodies are located inside the spots. If the entire leaf is infected, it dies and falls off. For the Monstera, an untreated leaf spot disease means severe leaf drop, poor growth and visual blemishes.
Why does Monstera get leaf spot?
Mostly it is care errors on the Monstera that lead to leaf spot disease. Mushrooms loveMoistureFor example, if you water the Monstera too much in winter, i.e. the dormant phase, that can be enough to promote the spread of pathogens. Likewise, excessive humidity andlittle air circulationcan trigger fungal infestation. Even if the Monstera becomestoo cold due to cold drafts, a cold location or cold irrigation water, it becomes susceptible to diseases.
What helps against leaf spot on Monstera?
To effectively combat the leaf spot fungus, you shouldremove affected leavesand dispose of them in household waste. Infected leaves shouldnever end up in the compost, as the fungi spread there and are transferred to other plants. When cutting, make sure to work cleanly and disinfect the knife after each cut. This means the fungus cannot spread any further. You must then treat the plant with a suitable fungicide and monitor it closely over the next few weeks.
How can you prevent leaf spot on Monstera?
To prevent leaf spot disease from breaking out on your Monstera, you should pay attention tocorrect care. Give your Monstera an ideal location that is warm, bright and protected. Water regularly, neither too much nor too little, so that the plant is kept moderately moist. Fertilize the Monstera every two weeks in summer and not in winter. Avoid drafts, waterlogging and direct sunlight. With these tips you can maintain a he althy and maximally resistant plant.
Tip
Pay attention to your plant neighbors
Leaf spot disease can occur not only on Monstera. Often several plants are infected with the fungi. So pay attention to the environment around the Monstera. To protect them, their plant neighbors should not be affected either. The leaf spot disease also occurs, for example, in the rubber tree, rhododendron, cherry laurel, hydrangea, peonies and numerous other plant species.
