Monstera plants make for a great houseplant. They have huge, vibrantly green leaves that look like giant claws thanks to their split leaves. As a matter of fact, monstera plants are one of the hottest houseplants out there right now.
From time to time, you may notice that your monstera plant won’t develop the splits or holes that give it that signature look. So, what happens when those leaves don’t wind up splitting? Does it mean your monstera plant is a dud and you’re doomed to have to throw it out and replace it?
Don’t worry. There are things you can do if the leaves of your monstera haven’t split yet.
About the Monstera
These plants can actually become monstrous in their own habitat. Some monsteras can reach up to 60 feet in height! But in your home, they will generally top out at around eight feet or so. Their leaves, meanwhile, can get to be around two feet long.
Their uniquely shaped leaves not only look cool, they are meant to serve a very natural purpose. In their natural habitat, the tropical rain forests, the leaves are meant to allow it to stand up to some of the heavy downpours experienced there.
Not only that, they are meant to grab some of the few rays of light that make it through the thick forest canopy. For these reasons, it only makes sense that it has earned the nickname “hurricane plant.”
Generally speaking, monstera plants are kept in large, more open areas of the home such as the living room. This way, guests can admire their natural ambiance and their size doesn’t begin to feel overwhelming as it would in smaller spaces.
Even cooler? They actually purify the air in that room.
1 – Have Patience
Sometimes all your monstera plant needs is some time and patience. This is especially true if your monstera plant is still on the smaller, younger side. Because they have such vibrant, unique, heart-shaped leaves, they take time and proper care to bloom correctly.
Monstera plants need to have the proper amount of water, good lighting, and just a little bit of fertilizer to grow properly and develop those holes or splits that have become the trademark of the plant.
So, if you have a young plant, have some patience and do what you need to and it should do just fine.
2 – Check Your Fertilizer and Watering
As is the case with many other plants, improper watering can be a real growth deterrent. Ensuring that your monstera plant has the right amount of water, as well as regular fertilization, is important for their development.
It is especially important that these two factors are met during the spring and summer. This is when the monstera plant is the most likely to undergo a real spurt in growth. There are a number of viable watering routines that can be used.
The same goes for fertilizing. The idea is to check out your monstera on a regular basis. Make sure the soil isn’t too wet or too dry and be certain to pick a fertilizer that is compatible with the growth requirements for monsteras.
Also, make sure that you have proper drainage wherever you plant your monstera. Without the proper drainage, water can build up in the soil and essentially rot the roots.
This could be a major reason why your monstera plant is not blooming the way it normally would.
3 – Give it More Light
White light is the single most important factor in getting the monstera plant to bloom, resulting in those split leaves that you have been looking for. Monsteras can get by on lower levels of light, but even then, they likely won’t grow to their full potential or develop as many splits.
Indirect, bright sunlight is the best thing for monsteras and will help them get those splits that make them so unique. So, if your monstera is struggling to really bloom, the biggest issue could be a lack of proper lighting.
If you buy a monstera that already has split leaves, you can get away with lesser lighting than you would for a baby monstera. This can be a good idea if you don’t want your monstera to grow any larger, because they can grow to be very large and seem like they are taking over your home.
For the younger monsteras, proper lighting can make or break their growth. Try a south-facing or east-facing window for the best amount of lighting, though a north-facing window can do the job in most cases.
Be wary of west-facing windows, though. They tend to get the hottest, direct afternoon light. Too much exposure to that kind of light can actually scorch the leaves.
If you live in a home that doesn’t get a lot of natural light, that’s not a problem. You can buy grow bulbs or grow lights in your regular fixtures. This will provide greenhouse-style lighting that you would generally see in most nurseries.
4 – Check the Temperature
As is the case with most other plants, fluctuating temperatures can have a negative impact. Generally speaking, monsteras like temperatures within the 68°F to 86°F range.
In the cases where they are grown outdoors, it is important to know that frost will do them great harm. If you live in colder regions, monsteras should be kept inside to regulate the temperature.
They can also experience too much heat depending where in your home they are placed. While it is a good idea to let them get proper light exposure, the wrong exposure can be too hot, damaging the leaves along the way.
If you don’t have a consistent, reliable source of lighting, you may have to move the monstera around. This way, it gets the lighting that it needs to thrive without having to sit in a room that gets too hot from the exposure to the sun.
It can be a little tricky to find the right setting, but when you do, your monstera can become the focal point of that room.
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.