The appearance of water droplets on the tips or edges of your Monstera leaves, often described as the plant “crying,” is a common and natural occurrence. This phenomenon is the plant’s way of managing its internal water pressure. While seeing these drops is generally a sign of a healthy, active root system, consistent or excessive weeping can signal that the plant’s environment needs adjustment. Understanding the biological process behind the droplets helps in diagnosing and correcting the underlying conditions.
What Monstera Guttation Really Is
The process behind these droplets is scientifically known as guttation, which is the plant’s method for exuding excess water in liquid form. This differs from transpiration, where water is released as vapor through the leaf pores called stomata. Guttation occurs because the stomata, which facilitate gas exchange, close at night when the plant is not photosynthesizing.
When the stomata are closed, the roots continue to absorb water from the soil, creating a buildup of internal hydrostatic pressure called “root pressure.” This pressure forces the water, a mixture of water and dissolved minerals known as xylem sap, upward through the plant’s vascular system. The excess liquid exits the leaf through specialized, permanently open pores called hydathodes, located along the leaf margins or tips. The resulting droplets are a product of this nighttime pressure release.
Primary Environmental Triggers
The frequency and volume of guttation are directly related to conditions that promote high root pressure and inhibit transpiration. The most common cause is saturated soil, often a result of overwatering. When the soil remains excessively moist, the roots constantly absorb water, even when the plant cannot release it efficiently through its leaves. This creates the internal pressure necessary to drive guttation.
Poor drainage is another contributing factor, as soil that stays wet for too long prevents the necessary oxygen exchange for healthy roots. High humidity combined with low air circulation can significantly reduce the plant’s ability to transpire. Since the surrounding air is already saturated with water vapor, the plant cannot effectively move water out of its leaves, leading to internal pressure buildup.
Practical Steps to Stop Guttation
Reducing excessive guttation involves addressing the environmental factors that create high root pressure. The most immediate action is to adjust your watering schedule to allow the soil to dry out more between waterings. Use the finger test or a moisture meter to confirm that the top two to three inches of soil are completely dry before watering. Watering earlier in the day also helps, giving the plant’s open stomata a chance to transpire and use the water during daylight hours, preventing pressure from building up overnight.
Improving the drainage of your potting mixture is important for long-term control. A dense or compacted soil holds too much moisture, so ensure your Monstera is potted in a chunky, well-aerated mix that includes materials like perlite or orchid bark. The pot must have adequate drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the base. Enhancing air circulation around the plant, perhaps by using a small fan, also helps by promoting transpiration and reducing the ambient humidity layer around the leaves.
When It’s Not Just Guttation
While guttation is usually harmless, it is important to distinguish the clear, watery droplets from other moisture-related issues. Guttation fluid is clear and non-sticky, though it may leave a slight, white mineral residue after it dries. If the liquid on your leaves is noticeably sticky, you are likely dealing with a pest issue, not guttation.
This sticky substance, known as honeydew, is the sugary waste product excreted by sap-sucking insects like scale or mealybugs. Unlike guttation, which forms exclusively at the leaf tips, honeydew can be found anywhere on the leaf surface or the furniture beneath the plant. If you discover a sticky residue, a thorough visual inspection is necessary to locate and treat the insects responsible.