The Monstera Deliciosa is more than just a pretty face; it’s a plant with a story. In the lush world of houseplants, it reigns supreme. But what happens when it refuses to grow?
Monstera Deliciosa can stop growing due to natural dormancy, transplant shock, and inadequate care. The latter can include problems like not enough light, over or under-watering, and lack of nutrients. This can be easily fixed by adjusting the plant’s care conditions to ensure it grows again.
Below, I discuss the likely causes of a Monstera Deliciosa’s growth problems, along with its solutions:
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Why is my Monstera Deliciosa not growing?
Some people tear their hair out wondering why their Monstera Deliciosa doesn’t seem to be growing, especially if it’s been more than a few months. Well fret not! Here are some reasons why your plant might not be growing:
- Winter dormancy. Like many plants, Monstera Deliciosa pauses its growth during the cold months. This is a natural response to the colder temperatures and reduced light levels. It’s best to water only once a month during this period and avoid repotting along with fertilizing until spring.
- Transplant shock after repotting. Repotting can be stressful for plants. If your Monstera stopped growing after being repotted, it might be adjusting to its new environment. And as it does this, it’ll send out most of its energy into growing new roots rather than new leaves. So don’t worry if you haven’t seen anything pop up on top, the plant is probably strengthening its roots systems before it produces new leaves.
- Inadequate care, such as lack of light, nutrients, low humidity levels, and over or underwatering. Usually when this is the case, the symptoms are even easier to spot. For example:
- Monstera Deliciosa with insufficient light will grow more spindly or leggy in search of more light. New leaves that form in these conditions will likely be smaller too.
- Nutrient deficiencies in Monstera Deliciosa will produce yellow leaves and overall slower growth.
- Low humidity levels in its surroundings will cause leaves to brown and wilt on a Monstera Deliciosa.
If you’d like to know more information specifically on watering problems for a Monstera Deliciosa, you can read our Overwatered and Underwatered Problems articles here.
Why is my Monstera Deliciosa not growing new leaves?
This could be a sign of rootbound in the pot, causing stunted growth and no new leaf growth. It’s more evident if you can see the roots poking out of the drain holes. It’s advisable to repot the plant every 1-2 years into a slightly larger pot to give your Monstera Deliciosa room to expand its roots and develop more leaves. You’ll have to be very careful during the transplant, ensuring to untangle as many of the roots as possible before placing it in its new pot.
You can read more about this in our How to Free Rootbound Plants article!
Why is my Monstera Deliciosa growing roots, not leaves?
Sometimes, a Monstera Deliciosa will focus on root growth at the expense of leaves. This can be a sign that the plant is trying to establish a strong foundation. This may also take some time so don’t worry if there doesn’t seem to be new growth on your plant for a few months.
However, if you notice aerial roots growing excessively, it might be seeking more moisture or support. Consider providing a moss pole for the plant so it can grow upwards and place the aerial roots back inside the pot.
Other Growth Problems
Why is my Monstera Deliciosa growing tall and skinny?
This is often a sign that the plant is not receiving adequate light. When plants do not get enough light, they tend to stretch towards the light source, resulting in elongated stems and sparse leaf growth. Move your plant to a location where it can receive bright, indirect light but avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves. Additionally, rotate the plant every few days to encourage even growth on the plant.
Why is my Monstera Deliciosa falling over?
Monstera Deliciosas are naturally climbing plants. In the wild, they use aerial roots to attach themselves to trees and other structures. If your Monstera is falling over, it might be because it’s looking for something to climb. In this case, provide a moss pole or trellis for your Monstera to climb. This will not only support the plant but also encourage more natural growth and larger leaf production.
Why doesn’t my Monstera Deliciosa have offshoots?
Monstera Deliciosa doesn’t produce offshoots or ‘baby plants’ on runners the same way as a succulent or spider plant does. Instead, it grows juvenile leaves that eventually grow bigger and splits. The aerial roots growing out of a Monstera Deliciosa are not to be confused as runners, as these are adaptive roots used to help the plant climb up a larger support. The only way you can make mini versions of this plant is to propagate it by collecting healthy stem cuttings from your main plant. If you’d like to know more about this, you can read our Propagating Monstera Deliciosa article.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to take care of a Monstera Deliciosa?
Here’s what you need to give a Monstera Deliciosa the best care:
- 6+ hours of bright, indirect sunlight, ensuring to rotate the pot occasionally for even growth.
- Well-draining soil with adequate moisture-retentive capabilities.
- Weekly to biweekly watering after the top 1-2 inch of soil dries out.
- Monthly fertilizing with an all-purpose fertilizer.
- Provide a moss totem pole as trellis support for it to grow upwards.
- Keep in a humid environment, away from cold drafts.
- Prune old or yellowing leaves to promote growth.
When do Monstera Deliciosa leaves split?
Monstera deliciosa leaves split as they mature after 1-3 years. Typically, this occurs when the plant is older and has been exposed to adequate light. Young leaves start out whole and only develop splits and holes, known as fenestrations, as they grow.
How to make Monstera Deliciosa fuller?
Making a Monstera Deliciosa fuller is similar to giving it the best care possible, such as the following:
- Provide bright, indirect light, at least 4-6+ hours daily.
- Maintain consistent weekly or biweekly watering, letting the soil dry at the top 1-2 inches.
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season.
- Provide trellis support like a moss pole for vertical growth.
- Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove dust occasionally.
Will Monstera Deliciosa leaves grow back?
Monstera deliciosa leaves won’t regrow from damaged or diseased parts, but will instead push new growth from another node. The best way to ensure this is to give it the right care conditions, such as proper light, water, and nutrients for optimal growth. Prevention is always better than treatment, so be sure to quickly fix the plant if a symptom of trouble appears.
What to do if my Monstera Deliciosa is growing out of control?
To manage an overgrown Monstera deliciosa, here’s what you can do:
- Prune leggy or unwanted stems at the base.
- Use stakes or a moss pole to support and guide growth.
- Ensure it’s in the right-sized pot.
- Rotate for even growth.
- Trim healthy stem cuttings from the plant and propagate if desired.
How do you get Monstera Deliciosa to bloom?
Monstera Deliciosa blooms when the plant is mature and living in optimal conditions. However, this is unlikely to happen in indoor settings. You can try to encourage blooming by mimicking its native habitat:
- Provide 6+ hours of bright, indirect light.
- Maintain high humidity at all times. Which is almost impossible in a home setting, unless you have a greenhouse to do this in.
- Use a well-draining soil mix.
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season.
- Stick a moss totem pole in the pot as a trellis support for the plant to grow upwards.
How do I prop a Monstera Deliciosa?
Here’s how you can ‘prop’ or propagate a Monstera deliciosa:
- Cut a healthy stem with at least 2 nodes on it.
- Ensure the cutting has 2-3 leaves.
- Place it in water, making sure to change it weekly to prevent algae growth.
- Once roots are 2-3 inches long, plant the cutting in soil.
- Keep the soil moist and provide indirect light.
You can read more about this in our Propagating Monstera Deliciosa article!
What is the weird growth on my Monstera Deliciosa?
An aerial root is most likely the weird growth coming out of your Monstera Deliciosa, which is common for this plant. These specialized roots help the plant anchor to larger supports like trees in the wild so they can climb up. They also help in absorbing nutrients and moisture in the air.
Why is my Monstera Deliciosa growing shoots?
Monstera Deliciosa grows shoots or aerial roots to climb up supports and take in moisture and nutrients in the air. If you don’t have a moss totem pole in your pot for these shoots, you can just place them back into the plant’s soil. It’s best not to cut them off as they are part of the plant’s healthy development.
What to do if my Monstera Deliciosa has become too tall?
If you don’t quite like having a very tall Monstera Deliciosa, here’s what you can do:
- Prune healthy cuttings with 2-3 nodes on it for propagation.
- Support the plant with stakes or a trellis.
- Trim off any leggy growth and unsightly leaves.
- Repot the plant into a slightly larger pot so the roots aren’t overcrowded.
References:
- [HELP/ADVICE] My monstera has stopped growing after repotting. I was very careful with the roots and yet this. It’s been 2 month with no new sign of any growth. Seems like its hibernation. Help/advice would be appreciated. TIA. (2022, October 4). https://www.reddit.com/r/Monstera/comments/xvpf4k/helpadvice_my_monstera_has_stopped_growing_after/
- meowmmoth. (2021, June 13). Monstera Deliciosa has a strange growth? https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/comments/nz854l/monstera_deliciosa_has_a_strange_growth/
- noah-d-e. (2022, October 28). Monstera not growing! I’ve had this plant for well over a year, and it simply will not grow. It only has 2 leaves, and will not grow a new one. The air roots won’t grow so I can’t put them in water or the soil. But also, it’s only two leaves so I can’t propagate. Please, does anyone have any advice? https://www.reddit.com/r/Monstera/comments/yfmp7f/monstera_not_growing_ive_had_this_plant_for_well/?rdt=57707
- What are these weird nodules growing from my monstera? Roots? (2019, July 1). https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/comments/c7t9fp/what_are_these_weird_nodules_growing_from_my/