Imitate their natural habitat’s environmental conditions and provide proper care, including repotting and regular fertilization. This approach encourages healthier growth and larger leaves.
Monstera is one of the house plants that are a favorite of plant collectors, thanks to its large exquisite leaves. But sometimes, not a few of them are still stunted even though they are adults. This problem becomes challenging for the owners because it indicates that their plants are not growing well. So, how to grow bigger Monstera leaves properly?
If you are here, you have come to the right page! We have easy and practical tips and tricks to help encourage growth with thick, large leaves.
Here, we will walk you through every section to dig into information that will be useful in the Monstera treatment.
Interested? Check it out!
Key Takeaways
- Provide bright indirect light to encourage larger leaf growth and maintain green foliage.
- Maintain stable humidity levels using methods like misting or using a humidifier.
- Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, avoiding both overwatering and underwatering.
- Keep temperatures between 65°F – 85°F to support Monstera’s growth, especially in summer.
- Regular repotting is beneficial, allowing roots to develop freely in a nutrient-rich potting mix.
Table of Contents
How Big do Monstera Leaves Grow?
Depending on where the plant grows, the Monstera plant can generally grow so tall. It can even reach 60 feet in the tropical rainforests, creeping up on the tree trunk to which its aerial roots are attached.
This plant growth trend is followed by the leaves growing up to 2 feet in width or 24 inches! Crazy, isn’t it?
But let’s be realistic! Of course, the plant will not grow that giant when grown indoors. However, don’t underestimate it. Due to their fast-growing habit, they can grow 1-2 feet per year under proper growing conditions and care.
In some cases, the height can reach 8 feet. Hence, those tropical plants will need a moss pole to support the plant structure so that it does not drop.
Furthermore, it must be taken into account that Monstera is a tropical plant that likes warm temperatures and humidity. No wonder they will flourish better in the spring and summer months.
During the two seasons, you will notice new leaves and more intense leaf growth. Therefore, you can also expect bigger leaves.
But, how long does it take for their leaves to grow larger? We will further discuss it in the following section!
How Long Does It Take for Monstera Leaves to Get Big?
Actually, there is no age standard when Monstera plants can grow big leaves. On the other hand, you also can’t expect your Monstera leaves to have broad leaves like in the wild.
So, how long does it take them before they are able to produce such beautiful leaves?
They generally take about 2-3 years after planting to grow thick, broad foliage. But it doesn’t occur instantly. After maturing, the foliage takes about 1-7 weeks to unfurl.
Then, the fenestration process also begins to appear, which is marked by the emergence of natural holes that will divide over time. These cleavages on their broad leaves is a unique characteristic of Monstera plants.
Also, it must be noted that this whole process requires your cooperation as the owner to provide what they need.
Some of them include bright indirect light, humid environment, moist soil, nutrient-rich potting soil, and balanced fertilizer.
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How to Grow Larger Monstera Leaves?
The key to having larger leaves of Monstera is how you treat them. You can imitate the environmental growing conditions in their natural habitat so that they perform better.
Other than that, showing them love by giving good care is also important.
Below, we’ve compiled a few things you need to pay attention to while growing Monstera so that they have broad, green, and healthy leaves.
1. Proper Sunlight Is Crucial
Just like other plants, sunlight is one of the most essential elements for the growth of Monstera plants. It becomes part of the photosynthesis process to produce energy and food for them to grow large leaves.
In addition, sunlight also helps to keep Monstera leaves green all the time. But please, don’t expose them to direct sunlight. Instead, it prefers bright indirect light, which is gentle for its leaves.
Excessive sun exposure can crisp the edge of the foliage and burn it.
2. Lock The Humidity
Maintaining stable humidity levels may be tricky because it depends on the weather. Luckily, there are several effective ways to help lock it to your plant.
You can try pouring the water into a spray bottle and then misting their leaves, especially when the air temperature is too hot outdoors.
And in case you keep it indoors, a humidifier will help. But if you don’t have one, place a tray of pebbles filled with water near your Monstera plant. With such great care, we guarantee this plant will happily grow huge leaves.
3. Don’t Let Them Get Thirsty!
This is the greatest mistake you can possibly make to your Monstera, especially if you want to grow bigger leaves. Lack of water can cause their leaves to turn yellow before dropping.
Hence, we recommend watering when 1-2 inches of soil has dried. Furthermore, the watering frequency may vary depending on the season and the temperature.
But as a tropical plant, it is better to water once every one or two weeks to maintain moisture.
If you plant it in a pot, make sure it has drainage holes that allow water to escape the soil quickly. And please don’t overflood because it can trigger root rot that will kill your plant.
4. Keep The Temperatures On Track
In addition to humidity levels, temperatures must be kept on track. Monstera loves temperatures between 65°F – 85°F. Therefore, this plant will show its massive development in the summer.
Despite tolerating cold up to 50°F, it can delay and even stop the growth if the temperature falls under it.
Furthermore, you can track it with a thermometer to check the daily temperature. In addition, it is better to grow the Monstera in pots so that you can immediately put them in the house when the cold season comes.
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5. Repotting will Help
Roots are plant parts that help meet nutrient requirements by absorbing them from the soil. If the plant is well-nourished, leaf growth is also going well. Thus, you can get big Monstera leaves.
Considering this matter, repotting will help because it will offer a new start for the plant to continue growing.
Moreover, choose a pot one or two times larger so the roots can develop freely. Don’t forget that those containers must have drainage holes to prevent root rot.
In addition, you can add a fresh potting mix rich in nutrients to support its growth.
6. Provide Support
The larger the leaves, the Monstera will usually tend to arch to the side of the heavy leaves. Meanwhile, they will continue to grow upwards because of their vine-like habit.
In its native habitat, Monstera tends to lean on tree trunks.
And so, providing support is the best way to help them retain plant structure while allowing them to keep growing.
Some supports usually used for Monstera plants are moss poles, bamboo stakes, and trellis. They are relatively strong and sturdy to ensure it grows vertically.
7. Fertilize Your Plant
There is nothing wrong with providing additional nutrition for them by fertilizing. It can boost growth, thus also encouraging the leaves to get bigger and denser.
We recommend diluted liquid NPK fertilizers to half the strength to keep them gentle for your plant. In addition, worm castings are great for those who prefer natural fertilizers to mix with your potting soil.
Why are My Monstera Leaves so Small?
The most common reasons are lack of proper care, such as not getting enough light, too hot a temperature, or insufficient humidity. In addition, they can refuse to further develop the leaves without providing sufficient water.
To speak in detail, Monstera plants cannot perform best unless you provide bright indirect light.
Although they tolerate shade, it will inhibit the growth of leaves and the fenestration. Thus, their characteristic, the split leaves, is not formed properly or does not exist at all.
Additionally, it will develop phototropism, where the leaves grow toward the dark, not the light. Contrary to that, direct sunlight will make the leaves turn yellow.
The same effect applies when they lack water and humidity. If this negligence is allowed to occur, it’s only a matter of time before your Monstera dies.
Final Thoughts
It may sound cliche, but the cause of the tiny leaves of Monstera is a lack of proper care, and you don’t provide the required growing conditions.
So, how to grow bigger monstera leaves? Provide everything they need, shower them with love and care, and then you can see them flourish!
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How old do Monsteras have to be to produce gigantic leaves?
Generally, they need around 2-3 years before being fully established and capable of growing broad and gigantic foliage.
However, it is not only age that determines this, as it will be accompanied by good care. In addition, make sure you have met all of his growing needs. By giving the plant full of love, they can grow up to 1-2 feet per year.
Why do Monstera leaves take so long to unfold?
Generally speaking, your Monstera leaves will unfurl within 2-3 weeks.
However, something is wrong if you notice they take too long to unfold. It could be pest invasion on the leaves or lack of humidity.
This tropical plant favors moderate to high humidity. So, the watering frequency must be monitored to lock the moisture in the soil. This condition is preferable for the roots to grow healthily, eventually making it easier for the leaves to unfold.
Do monstera leaves continue to get bigger?
When they are 2-3 years old, your monstera leaves will get bigger.
They will also be higher because of their climbing nature. Of course, it comes with consequences; their lower leaves will start to fall to maintain the plant structure.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to make the bald stem grow leaves again. Instead, you may try to propagate the plant to produce new ones.
Why is my Monstera plant not producing split leaves anymore?
If they don’t fenestrate, the plant doesn’t receive proper care. It could be a lack of sunlight exposure, humidity, and water.
Those three components are crucial to maintaining health and ensuring photosynthesis properly. You can’t expect your Monstera to grow normally, for example, splitting their leaves, if they don’t live happily.
