Monstera is a tropical plant that symbolizes life. Its decorative qualities have amazed many plant enthusiasts. Furthermore, its heart-shaped and monstrous size leaves help trap dust and airborne toxins.
Yet, its beauty and health benefits mean nothing if it won’t grow new leaves.
That said, this post will answer the question: how does Monstera grow new leaves? It’ll also walk you through the common reasons and solutions for this plant’s growth problems.
So, get your gardening tools ready, and let’s dive in!
How Does Monstera Grow New Leaves?
Much like most plants in your garden, a Monstera grows new leaves through its node. This part of the plant is responsible for linking the stem and the leaves.
Meanwhile, a node is in charge of helping the plant produce flowers and secondary stems.
That’s thanks to its active metabolism. This activity allows Monsteras to release the necessary hormones. This compound’s responsible for its overall growth and development.
However, don’t panic if some nodes won’t produce leaves; it happens all the time.
If you’re having trouble identifying the nodes, worry no more. You could recognize them by their brown, circular, and bulgy appearance.
How to Help Your Monstera Grow New Leaves
If you want to see your Monstera produce fresh leaves in no time, then continue reading. The following sections will teach you how to help your Monstera grow new leaves.
1 – Increase the Humidity Level for Your Monstera
As a native to the tropical region of Central America, Monsteras need plenty of humidity. It helps leaves grow faster and healthier. Humidity allows plants to transfer nutrients and water from the roots to the stems. Plants need them to make them reproduce leaves.
You can increase humidity by misting your Monstera with a spray bottle. However, make sure the leaves are dry first to prevent mold from developing.
You might want to put your Monstera close to other plants too. The neighboring plants help provide the plant with enough humidity. It happens when its neighbors release water vapor into the air.
Lastly, consider getting a humidifier if your budget allows for one.
Needless to say, this device helps increase the humidity level. Apart from that, its automatic features save you time and energy.
2 – Get Rid of Pests
If you’re like me, you hate to see leafminers and aphids messing in your garden. These pests prevent Monsteras from producing new leaves.
You can tell that your Monstera has aphids by its misshapen and curly leaves. That’s because of the aphid’s saliva injected into the plant.
Likewise, you’d know that your plant has leafminers when you see yellow trails on the leaves and stems. You can get rid of leafminers and aphids either by picking them off or by using neem oil and/or insecticidal soap.
Spider mites, mealybugs, and scales could also make Monsteras stop growing new leaves. So, be watchful of these garden bugs.
3 – Give the Plant Enough Indirect Sunlight
Perhaps you’re wondering why indirect sunlight? That’s because extended exposure to direct sunlight could burn the leaves.
But, making sure that your Monstera gets indirect sunlight for at least 5 to 8 hours a day helps new leaves grow.
The best spot for an indoor Monstera would be by the window. Let the insulated window pane act as a diffuser and reduce solar heat gain coefficient or SHGC.
If your Monstera is outside though, then use a shade cloth to soften the light and lower the heat. This shade mimics the canopy of trees that this plant enjoys in the forest.
4 – Consider Feeding Your Monstera Some Fertilizers
To encourage leaves to reproduce, consider fertilizing your plant. Certain fertilizers provide Monsteras with the necessary nutrients for their development.
There’s nitrogen, for instance. Apart from improving leaf growth, nitrogen also helps leaves have a rich green color.
There’s also potassium and phosphorus. Plants use potassium to strengthen their stems while phosphorus helps create new roots.
That said, it’s equally important not to over-fertilize Monsteras. Giving them an excessive amount causes root damage and cuts down leaf reproduction.
Lastly, make sure to fertilize your Monstera every spring and summer. However, refrain from doing it during the fall and winter seasons.
5 – Prune Your Plant
Pruning is another way to encourage your Monstera plant to produce new leaves.
By removing the lead bud, you’re restraining the chemicals that slow down the plant’s leaf growth.
You might want to cut both brown, yellow, and any misshapen leaves off the stem too. Just make sure that you use sterilized scissors. It’ll keep the plant safe from fungal infections and other diseases.
6 – Repot Your Monstera
Consider repotting your Monstera as well. This will provide the plant with more space to grow.
Use a pot that’s around two to three inches wider than the current one. However, don’t lift the plant off the pot without softening the soil with some water first.
You should use a trowel so pulling the plant would be a lot easier.
Before you transfer your Monstera plant, fill one-third of the pot with soil.
Once transferred, continue putting more soil into the pot until it’s full.
How Often Do Monstera Grow New Leaves?
Generally speaking, you can expect a Monstera to grow new leaves every four to eight weeks.
That said, how often and consistently this ornamental plant can do it still depends on a couple of things.
The first thing to consider is its age. With proper care, this houseplant could last for more than 40 years or even for a lifetime.
A Monstera will start to lose its lower leaves by its third year. Meanwhile, its ability to grow new leaves diminishes as the plant grows old.
The plant’s growing condition could also impact the growth recurrence of its leaves. Like most plants, Monsteras need nourishment. Only a well-balanced living environment could provide that sustenance.
Your Monstera might need more time to reproduce fresh leaves without those factors.
Why Does My Monstera Have No New Leaves?
So, you’ve followed all the steps we discussed earlier. Yet, your Monstera plant still won’t produce new leaves. No need to panic. Your Monstera might be in its dormancy phase.
You see, during fall and winter, Monsteras need to conserve energy. The plant can only do that if it stops producing fresh leaves.
When the weather is cold, plants use stored sugar and carbohydrates. Plants produced these compounds during the spring and summer seasons. Monsteras used them to sustain themselves during winter.
Simply put, staying dormant ensures the Monstera’s survival during the cold seasons. So, there’s no reason to worry when you see your plant leafless for a long time.
Final Thoughts
So how does Monstera grow new leaves?
Like other plants, we saw that a Monstera grows new leaves through its stems and nodes.
Moreover, knowing it’s normal for Monsteras to undergo a dormancy phase gives us peace of mind. We just have to wait and be patient for its leaves to regrow.
We also learned that enough humidity helps plants to reproduce healthy leaves. We can also expect the same result if we give our Monsteras enough indirect sunlight. Additionally, we saw that repotting could extend the life of this tropical beauty. The same goes for pruning and pest control.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.