Monsteras typically require 5 to 8 hours of bright indirect light every day to flourish. More light is required to bring out the stunning coloring of variegated species, such as the Thai Constellation Monstera deliciosa or Variegatta Monstera deliciosa.
Bright, direct light:
Since monsteras are jungle plants, they occasionally dislike direct sunshine.
Monsteras often develop below the canopy of a jungle and climb other trees to the light via aerial roots.
Even the idea has been floated that the holes in monstera leaves may have developed in part to let more light reach the lower leaves. (Read more about monstera plant history here!)
However, the one type of light that you should attempt to avoid is direct light because it isn’t the best for a monstera. Bright, direct sunlight can burn the leaves, leaving unsightly brown or tan areas that won’t go away (i.e., the sun’s rays hit the leaves directly and the leaves actually cast a shadow).
Bright, indirect light:
Brilliant, indirect light refers to bright light from a nearby window, but the sun’s rays never directly touch the leaves, and is a phrase you hear a lot when referring about houseplants. Make sure your plant doesn’t cast a shadow as a general rule.
The monstera prefers bright, indirect light, which stimulates it to grow and flourish quickly!
Put the monstera in a bright room a few feet from a window or immediately by a window that doesn’t get much direct sunlight if you want it to grow big and striking to make a statement (like a north or east-facing window). You’ll soon have a stunning, tall monstera!
Low light
Low light typically indicates that the plant is farther from a window, deeper in the room, or in a room with fewer windows. This does not imply a room without windows because few houseplants can survive in an environment with no natural light.
Due to their hardiness, monsteras can thrive in dim light. So even if your house doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you can still appreciate a lovely monstera!
The only drawback is that your monstera won’t expand as much or as quickly as it would in direct, strong light.
That’s not necessarily a negative thing, though. Monsteras, particularly Monstera deliciosa, can reach heights of up to 10 feet indoors and more than three times that outside!
We completely understand if you don’t want a huge houseplant to take over your living area. If you have a small space, you might wish to keep your monstera deeper inside the space to prevent it from growing and keep it at a size that is manageable.
However, starting with a larger monstera could be preferable if you want a large plant but don’t have much light.
Does Monstera withstand LED lighting?
Both full spectrum and red/blue spectrum are effective for growing monstera. The red/blue spectrum is your best bet if you have a room specifically for your plants because most indoor plants prefer it. Despite this, Monstera will thrive in a full spectrum grow environment.
Additionally, you want to think about purchasing a timer to attach to the grow light (or buy a grow light that comes with a timer already, like my preferred grow light for Monstera). This will enable you to program the lights’ on and off periods and guarantee that the plant always receives the proper quantity of light.
This also frees up your schedule because you won’t need to be at home at a specific hour to turn on or off the lights.
What’s the best grow light for variegated Monstera plants?
According to your unique requirements, the optimal grow light for variegated Monstera plants will vary. Finding an LED full spectrum grow light is a good general rule of thumb, nevertheless, for all Monstera species. These grow lights are generally beneficial for plants and have very few drawbacks.
An LED full spectrum grow light works well for most indoor gardeners, including owners of variegated Monstera plants, since you can use it in any room, not just one specifically dedicated to plants. Additionally, as it is an LED light rather than an incandescent, you may use it continuously without worrying about it overheating or damaging the Monstera’s leaves.
Can Monstera grow under LED light?
When compared to incandescent grow lights, LED lights are actually the greatest choice for monstera plants because they promote healthy growth. This is due to the fact that LED grow lights don’t overheat and have a lower likelihood of scorching the leaves of the Monstera plant than incandescent grow lights do.
In addition, there are many different types and designs of LED grow lights, including full spectrum and red/blue spectrum. Additionally, they are less expensive and are thought to be safer when used for a prolonged period of time because they are less likely to overheat.
An LED full spectrum grow light will be your best choice if you are new to the grow light industry. A Monstera grows nicely under the adaptable LED grow lights because of their effectiveness. They can be utilized for both temporary and permanent lighting requirements.
Is there enough light inside for Monstera?
The proper lighting is one of the most crucial aspects of developing a gorgeous, healthy monstera. To do this, you must become familiar with the signals that your monstera wants more light.
In general, monsteras thrive beside a bright window where the sun’s rays don’t directly hit the leaves since they enjoy bright, indirect sunlight.
Frequently, an east- or south-facing window is the ideal location for a monstera. Windows that face north may not be light enough, but they are still far better than nothing! and a window facing west can bring in too much direct, warm afternoon light.
Your monstera will let you know if it doesn’t have enough light. The warning signals that your monstera needs more light are listed below.
What hue of light prefer monsteras?
It’s crucial to realize that there are a number of things to take into account when selecting grow lights for your Monstera plant:
Where do you place your Monstera plant?
Which grow light you select will depend on the area where you intend to install your Monstera plant.
Grow lights come in full-spectrum white, blue/red, and other colors. Your room’s color scheme will depend on the grow lights’ light spectrum emissions.
Your room will turn purple from the blue/red spectrum grow lights, making it difficult to work or perform other tasks in it.
You should utilize the full-spectrum white in this situation.
It is advisable to utilize blue and red spectrum grow lights if you have a specific area set aside for your plants. They will encourage darker, healthier colors in your Monstera’s leaves and stems as well as increased plant development.
Do you just own one or a collection of Monstera plants?
From tiny single bulbs to enormous, meters-long fluorescent arrays suspended from the ceiling, grow lights come in all shapes and sizes.
It’s possible that all you’ll need to grow a little Monstera cutting is a small incandescent growlight installed inside a standard desk lamp.
However, you can think using larger High-Intensity Discharge (HID) growlights if you have a collection of Monstera or other plants growing in the same area.
How long do you need to turn on the growlight?
You can only use your grow light for three to four hours per day if you only have brief periods of bright sunlight.
However, if the plant is not receiving enough light, the grow lights need to be on for at least 10 hours.
If you leave most incandescent grow lights on for an extended period of time, they can soon overheat. In this situation, LED lights are the best option because they maintain their cool even after prolonged use.
Are you a busy person?
Let’s say you spent the most money on a grow light for your Monstera plant, but you spend the entire day at work outside. This indicates that your Monstera is not receiving enough light.
In this situation, you might want to think about purchasing a grow light timer. You may schedule when your Monstera plant requires light and when it doesn’t with it. As a common feature, timers are now included with the majority of LED grow lights.
What is your budget?
If you’re looking for the least expensive way to start your Monstera plant started right, a $10 LED grow lamp is a fantastic choice.
We advise the more expensive LED grow lights, which normally cost between $200 and $500, if you’re interested in other features (such as changeable spectrum, dimmable light, and smartphone compatibility).
How can I tell whether my Monstera is content?
How can you prevent your Monstera from drowning? We’ve discussed a little bit about how to avoid overwatering it. Once you get to know your Monstera and understand all of its behaviors, you’ll notice lots of indicators that it needs water. Some of them may not come as a surprise because the indications that a Monstera needs watering are also quite similar to those that other plants exhibit.
Your Monstera’s Soil Is Dry
The primary indication that a Monstera needs watering is dry soil. A Monstera deliciosa shouldn’t thrive in arid conditions, despite the fact that it’s vital to allow the soil dry up a little bit between waterings. Although too-dry soil won’t immediately kill a plant, it will hinder its capacity to grow effectively.
Since every plant and indoor environment is unique and can necessitate a different amount of time between waterings, routinely testing the soil will enable you to determine when your Monstera needs to be watered. Using your finger is the simplest method for doing this!
If the soil is dry after sticking your finger in it for about an inch, water the plant. Don’t water your Monstera just yet if it’s moist or still wet.
Your Monstera is Leaning Over
Although it is an unusual indicator, I have observed a leaning Monstera in my collection. An underwatered Monstera will begin to sag in a manner that causes the leaves to droop, which is similar to wilting. On a little Monstera, this is much simpler to see, although it can be seen on bigger plants as well.
Always examine the soil before watering because leaning plants might occasionally be an indication of a different problem, such as overwatering. Never add more water when the earth is damp; dry soil indicates that it is time to water.
Your Monstera should bounce back within a few days after receiving a thorough watering if the cause of drooping is too little water. As much stress as possible should be avoided allowing the Monstera to become this dry as it will stunt the plant’s growth.
Your Monstera’s Leaves are Curling
Leaf curling is just another sign that a Monstera needs watering. The leaves of a Monstera that needs water will start to curl inward, making them appear smaller and less wide.
This is a temporary problem that almost always goes away with some time and some good watering! If the soil is dry, check it and give it a nice, thorough watering. Within a few days, the leaves ought to resume their regular state.
If they don’t, there might be another problem going on. Before watering once more, take some time to run a diagnostic.
Your Monstera’s Leaves are Brown, Yellow, or Dead
An alarming sign may be the yellowing of your Monstera’s leaves. Dark green, waxy leaves are present on a healthy, happy Monstera (though younger plants or new leaves may be lighter green).
Some discoloration is expected because older Monstera leaves gradually turn yellow and drop off as they become older. However, you have an issue if you notice many sections of the plant with yellow, brown, or dead leaves or new leaves.
In addition to underwatering, additional issues that might cause leaf discoloration include overwatering, excessive or insufficient sunshine, or parasites. Don’t water the plant right away; instead, take the time to inspect it for any signs of these issues.
Although older growth will occasionally die off, you should take immediate action if any leaf loss is accompanied by other symptoms like drooping or discolouration. The soil’s moisture content should always be checked as the initial step. Water the soil deeply if it is dry. Look for indications that your plant may have been overwatered if the soil is wet.
Your Monstera Isn’t Putting Out Fenestrated Leaves
With adult Monsteras that haven’t started fenestrating or that produce leaves with holes in them, a lack of fenestration can become a problem. Fenestrations are nearly always a sign that the plant is not receiving enough light.
This can occasionally be brought on by inadequate sunlight. Examine the surroundings of the plant to rule that out. Monsteras require six to twelve hours a day of bright indirect sunlight. Try transplanting the plant to a brighter location if it isn’t receiving this much light.
Set a smart alarm to remind you to inspect the soil if lighting isn’t the issue and you think your Monstera needs extra water. This will assist you in forming the practice of routine plant maintenance. You can establish the ideal watering balance by making sure the soil is moist enough many times per week. Be careful not to overwater, though!
What exactly is dazzling indirect light?
In conclusion, brilliant indirect light is bright enough to read by and to cast a shadow, though not a dark, distinct one. It can be found a few feet away from south- or west-facing windows that are not sheltered, as well as close to windows that face north and east. Additionally, it can be produced by placing plants on windows that receive direct sunlight and diffusing sheer white curtains—the kind you can see through—between the glass panes.
In rooms or corridors without windows or if plants are placed in corners more than 5 feet from windows, bright adequate light for houseplants is probably not going to be present. You can use fluorescent or LED grow lights to produce bright, indirect light for such locations.
The best way to create bright, indirect light for your plants is by using your windows and the direction of the sun throughout the day.
Your windows’ orientation and how clear they are of obstructions both affect how much light your plants receive. Remember that white walls will reflect more light to your plants than dark ones.
South-facing window: Place plants that demand bright, indirect light about 3 to 5 feet away from the window or far enough back that the sun’s rays never quite reach them if your south-facing window receives a lot of sun during the day and is not shaded by surrounding trees or buildings. You can set your plants as close to that window as you like, as long as the sheer drape stays between them and the glass, if that window is shaded or covered with a sheer curtain that diffuses light.
West-facing window: The same general guidelines that apply to unobstructed south-facing windows also apply to unobstructed west-facing windows, especially those that face southwest. It often receives midday sunshine that is hotter and brighter than that coming through an east-facing window. You should therefore situate your plants 3 to 5 feet away from the window panes in these westward-pointing windows as well, or arrange a sheer screen between them and the window.
Unshaded east-facing windows receive direct morning sunshine, but the morning sun’s rays are softer than those of the afternoon sun. Therefore, a diffusing drape is not necessary when placing most plants that like bright, indirect light near or even on the ledge of an east-facing window.
North-facing window: Because north-facing windows rarely get direct sunlight, you may normally put plants that love bright, indirect light on their windowsills, where they will get the most light that is available there. You could want to put a mirror opposite the window to reflect more of the light back at the plants because even that might not be enough illumination for them, especially during the winter. As an alternative, think about getting an LED or fluorescent grow light.