Monstera Sweating Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Help, my Monstera plant is dripping water!

Hey there! I totally get why you might be worried about your Monstera plant sweating, but don’t worry. Why is my monstera sweating is a completely normal! It’s a question that a lot of plant owners ask.

The Monstera plant (aka Swiss Cheese Plant) has developed ways to regulate its temperature and water balance. Sometimes this leads to your Monstera dripping water.

Should I be worried my monstera plant leaves are sweating?

No, you do not need to be worried if your Monstera leaves are sweating or dripping water. In fact, it is a normal and natural process for Monstera plant. Sweating (or water droplets on the plant’s leaves) is a sign that your Monstera plant is regulating its temperature and moisture levels.

Monstera Sweating (Dripping Water) Explained

Guttation vs. Transpiration: Which One is Causing Water Droplets?

The water droplets on your Monstera plants could be either from transpiration or guttation. Let’s go through the differences between the two causes of excess water and help explain why you have a Monstera dripping water problem.

Transpiration

Transpiration is the natural and common process by which plants release excess moisture through tiny openings on the surface of their leaves called stomata. This usually happens when the plant is taking in more water than it needs or when the surrounding air is dry.

So, if the water drops on your Monstera leaves appear on the surface of the leaf, it’s most likely from transpiration. Again, this is a completely natural process and normal for Monstera plants.

Transpiration happens during the day at high temperatures and occurs when moisture or water leaves the plant in the form of a vapor.

Transpiration is a crucial process for Monstera plants as it helps transport nutrients and water from the roots to the leaves. It also helps the plant maintain its shape and structure.

If you notice that the sweating is excessive or the leaves appear wilted, it could be a sign that your “Swiss Cheese” plant is not getting enough water. In this case, you should check the soil moisture and make sure that the plant is getting enough water.

Guttation

Guttation, on the other hand, is the process by which most vascular plants (Monstera being one) release excess water through specialized structures at the tips of their leaves called hydathodes.

This usually happens when the soil is moist, and the plant is taking in more water than it needs, causing pressure (root pressure) to build up inside the plant, which then causes the plant to expel excess water. So, if the water drops on your Monstera leaves appear at the tips of the leaves, it’s most likely from guttation (wet soil).

As water moves up the plant, it picks up excess salts and minerals, forming the minerals called xylem sap. When the xylem sap reaches the guttation cells located on the edges of Monstera leaves, your plant gets rid of the excess water and minerals and it gets released as droplets on the tips of your Monstera plant’s leaves.

If you suspect guttation in your indoor plants, it’s important to check the moisture and make sure that the plant is not being overwatered. You can also adjust your indoor plant watering schedule and drainage to prevent excess water from accumulating in the soil. While guttation is a natural process, excess moisture in the soil is not good for your Monstera plants and may be the reason your Monstera is sweating!

(It should be noted hear that xylem sap does not cause a sticky residue on your plant leaves. Any sticky substance is probably a sign of an infestation and needs to be treated right away. Perfectly healthy leaves are not sticky and typically indicates that mealybugs , mites , or scale insects are infesting your plant.)

Is Guttation the same as dew drops?

No, guttation and dew are not the same thing. Guttation occurs when plants release excess water droplets from the tips of their leaves, usually at night or in the early morning.

Dew, on the other hand, is formed when the temperature of a surface drops below the dew point of the surrounding air. This usually happens during the night when the air becomes saturated with water vapor, and a cold surface such as grass, leaves, or other objects causes the moisture to condense and form dew droplets. Dew is more often seen as tiny drops of water on outdoor plants.

Dew is formed by the air, not the plant itself. Water in the air plus cold surfaces equals dew.

How to Check Soil Moisture in a Monstera

Checking the soil moisture in your Monstera plants is an important part of maintaining its health. Here are some steps you can follow to check the soil moisture when your Monstera’s leaves are sweating:

Insert your finger or a moisture meter about an inch deep into the soil. This is where most of the roots are located, so it will give you a good indication of the moisture level.
If the soil feels dry to the touch or the moisture meter reads low, it’s time to water the plant. Water the plant until the water starts to drain out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
If the soil feels moist to the touch or the moisture meter reads high, wait a few more days before watering again. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can be deadly to your Monstera.
If you are unsure about the moisture level of the soil, you can also lift up the pot. A dry pot will be much lighter than a pot with moist soil, which can help you determine whether or not to water.

Remember to adjust your watering schedule based on the humidity levels and temperature in your environment, as well as the size of your plant and the size of its pot. By checking the soil moisture regularly, you can help ensure that your Monstera is getting the right amount of water to thrive.

Does Too Much Humidity Cause a Monstera to Sweat?

Humidity can affect a Monstera sweating, but it’s not necessarily the direct cause. When the humidity level is high, there is already a lot of moisture in the air, and the plant does not need to release as much water through its stomata. As a result, you see fewer dripping leaves.

However, when the humidity is low or the plant has been watered recently, the excess water inside the plant is pushed out through the stomata in the form of water vapor, which can create tiny droplets or “sweating” on the surface of the leaves.

So, a humid environment may actually reduce the amount of sweating in your Monstera plant’s leaves because it does not need to release as much water vapor into the air. However, if the humidity is too low, it may cause the plant to release more water vapor through its stomata, which can result in more sweating.

It’s important to maintain the right level of humidity for your Monstera plants, which is generally between 40-60%. This can help prevent issues like excessive sweating or wilting leaves. You can increase the humidity level around your plant by misting it with water, placing a humidifier nearby, or grouping it with other plants to create a microclimate of higher humidity.

Final Thoughts on Monstera Plants Dripping Water Droplets

While it’s interesting to know the difference between the two, it doesn’t necessarily matter which process is causing the water drops on your Monstera leaves.

Both transpiration and guttation are a healthy and natural process for your plant (most tropical plants) and are signs that it’s regulating its temperature and moisture levels. As long as your Monstera plant is otherwise healthy and happy, there’s no need to worry about the water drops.

If you notice any other signs of stress or disease in your plant, such as yellowing leaves, brown spots, or wilting, you may need to take additional steps to diagnose and treat the problem. You might be dealing with root rot. And if that’s the case, you’ll need to help your plant right away! Keep your root system healthy. Root rot is the enemy of indoor plants.

So, if you see little droplets on your Monstera plant’s leaves, don’t immediately worry about your Monstera sweating. It’s just your plant doing its thing! It’s pretty cool to see how nature works, isn’t it?

Good luck with your indoor plants! Keep up your good watering habits, place your Monstera in bright indirect light (never direct light to avoid leaf burn), water it regularly and distribute water evenly, choose a pot that allows for proper soil drainage. And remember to relax if you’re Monstera is sweating. Good habits ensure your plant will remain healthy from its root system to its leaf tips.

Monstera Plants Continue to Grow in Popularity

Monstera plants have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among houseplant enthusiasts. They are known for their large, glossy leaves with unique cutouts and are often used as statement pieces in interior design. Monstera plants are also relatively easy to care for, making them a popular choice for beginners. As a result, they have gained a significant following on social media platforms such as Instagram, where they are frequently featured in plant-related content. Overall, it can be said that Monstera plants are quite popular among plant lovers and have become a staple in many households and offices.