Learn What To Do With A Leggy Monstera
Monstera is an aptly named plant that can grow up to 70 feet (221 m.) tall in its native habitat of tropical North and South America. In the home environment, it typically doesn't surmount 6 feet (2 m.), but the plant can tend to get leggy. Leggy Monstera can be rehabilitated with a little know how. Pruning leggy Monstera isn't difficult, but the sap can be irritating, so gloves are recommended.
Leggy Monstera deliciosa is a common occurrence. Houseplant growers may wonder, "why is my Monstera leggy?" The plant has a rapid growth rate and low light requirements. In severely dim rooms, the plant will naturally stretch to get some light. It may also have an excess of nitrogen, fueling vegetative growth. Fortunately, fixing a leggy Monstera is as simple as arming oneself with nice, sharp pruners and a little know how.
Why is My Monstera Leggy?
Monstera is native to warm, tropical jungles where it climbs up trees that provide support. So, it is normal to have a very stretched out plant. When the plant doesn't produce a thick canopy of leaves though, it is putting too much energy into stem growth and not enough into foliage production.
In this instance, rehabilitation pruning is necessary to help the plant produce a thicker stand of leaves and a stronger stem. When stem growth is too fast, this important support is not adept at holding the weight of the plant.
Pruning a leggy Monstera deliciosa will also help control its size and get rid of old leaves that may be yellowing.
Tips on Pruning Leggy Monstera
This jungle dweller is quite stoic and not prey to many diseases or pests. It does grow rapidly and will hit your ceiling if unchecked. The best time to prune most plants is when they are dormant. For many houseplants, such as Monstera, winter is the time the plant is resting and not actively growing.
As it begins to warm, the plant starts to grow again. So, pruning in late winter to early spring will create the least damage and stress to the plant. Make sure you have sharp, clean pruners to avoid introducing any disease or extra damage.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
How to Prune a Monstera
If you want to check the plant's growth and encourage thicker foliage, start by cutting off any dead or damaged material. Then decide how tall you want your plant to be.
Remove no more than one third of the plant for best results. Cut below a growth node to save propagation material. The node is just below the leaf axil and will appear as a little bump. Remove leggy growth from all the stems for a better, finished look.
In time, aerial roots will grow from the cuts and new shoots will form, resulting in a more densely leafed plant. Save your cuttings and place them in water to develop roots, and you will have new Monstera plants.
Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.
-
Planting Perennials In Fall: How To Ensure New Shrubs And Flowers Thrive
Fall is the perfect time to get a head start on your garden goals by planting many perennial varieties. Come spring time, they will be raring to go.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Blue Flowers For Native Gardens: 7 Native Blue Flowers To Grow
Blue might not seem like the sort of color that crops up regularly in a native garden, but you’d be amazed! Here we round up the loveliest native blue flowers you can try
By Tonya Barnett
-
Variegated Monstera Plant Varieties To Grow Indoors
Monstera are tremendously popular houseplants. Especially the attractive variegated Monstera deliciosa. Click to find out more.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Different Types Of Monstera Houseplants
As more people have discovered them, the number of monstera varieties available has increased. Here are some to look for.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Monstera Deliciosa Flower - Growing Swiss Cheese Plant For Flowers And Fruit
Conditions need to be just perfect for a Monstera to bloom, but it isn’t impossible for a Monstera to flower indoors. Click to learn how.
By Amy Grant
-
Adanson’s Monstera Plant Care: Tips For Growing A Swiss Cheese Vine
Adding interesting houseplants is just one of the many ways that growers can continue to nurture their love of growing in small spaces or throughout the winter months. Adanson’s monstera plant is unique and can instantly add visual interest to any room. Learn more here.
By Tonya Barnett
-
How To Use A Moss Pole On Your Monstera Plant
A moss pole monstera is simply a Swiss cheese plant whose roots grow and attach to a moss-covered pole. Does this impressive plant need one of these? Yes! It’s an epiphyte that gets its nourishment from the surrounding air and water.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Repotting Cheese Plants: How And When To Repot Monstera
Swiss cheese plants should be repotted every few years to ensure adequate soil nutrition and space. Learn how to repot a Swiss cheese plant in this article for a long-lived, healthy specimen that graces your home or office.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Propagating Monstera Deliciosa: Swiss Cheese Plant Cuttings And Seed Propagation
Swiss cheese plant is a popular houseplant which will generally take root in soil with ease, but propagating Monstera deliciosa by other means can also be achieved. Learn more in this article.
By Nikki Tilley
-
Proper Care Of A Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant gets its name from its large, heart-shaped leaves, which as it ages, become covered with holes that resemble Swiss cheese. Learn more about the care of these plants here.
By Heather Rhoades