To make sure your Monstera plant is getting enough light, start by asking yourself if the space in your home is brightly lit. Monstera leaves will stand more upright and be more spread out when given adequate light, so if your leaves are drooping, it may be an indication of too little light.
Another clue is the color of your Monstera leaves. If the leaves are a deep shade of green, the plant is getting just the right amount of light. If the leaves are a lighter or yellowish color, the plant may not be receiving enough light.
Finally, monitor soil moisture. If the soil dries out quickly, then the plant may be getting too much light or not enough humidity or water.
If you believe your Monstera is not getting enough light, you can move it to a brighter location in your home. You may also benefit from switching up the type of potting material you are using, as although Monstera likes well-draining soil, it also likes consistent moisture.
Adding a light fertilizer once a month is beneficial as well.
Does my Monstera need a grow light?
It depends on the type of Monstera you have. If your Monstera is already indoors and doesn’t get enough natural light, then a grow light may be the best way to help the plant thrive. Because Monstera plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions and need bright, indirect light to thrive, a grow light may be needed to provide the light intensity your Monstera needs.
The type of grow light you should use will also vary depending on your Monstera’s growing requirements. Consider the wattage of the grow light, the type of bulb, and the length of time you intend to use it.
Grow lights come in a range of colors and intensities, so consider what will make the best environment for your Monstera before deciding if you need a grow light. In many cases, using a grow light can be the best way to help your Monstera thrive indoors.
How much sunlight should Monstera plants get?
Monstera plants should receive bright, indirect light. While they can tolerate some direct sun each day, it is best to keep them away from facing the full heat of the sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
Generally, Monstera plants prefer to have bright, filtered light for at least a few hours each day. If your Monstera is placed near a window, even a closed curtain or shade will be enough to filter out the strongest rays.
Additionally, since Monstera are native to tropical rain forests, providing some supplemental artificial lights during the winter months when the days are shorter will help the plant thrive. Make sure the artificial lights are kept about a foot above the plant, and not placed too close where it might scorch the pointed leaves.
Is indoor light enough for Monstera?
In general, no, indoor light is not sufficient to keep Monstera plants healthy and thriving. The plant needs bright, indirect sunlight to further their growth and development. Monstera plants need bright but not direct light, or a few hours of direct light a day.
Indoor lighting is typically too dim for the plant to thrive since it is obviously not as strong as natural light from the sun. When placed near a window that receives indirect sunlight, the plant can do better.
But if you cannot do that, it is best to supplement the light it receives indoors with a grow light. Alternatively, you can also try a full-spectrum LED. Ultimately, any of these light solutions should help the plant get the bright light it needs to keep it healthy and thriving indoors.
How do I know if my Monstera is happy?
One of the best ways to determine whether or not your Monstera is happy is to look for signs of healthy growth. Healthy Monstera leaves should be strong and vibrantly green with no discoloration. If you notice the edges of the leaves curling up, this could be a sign of too much sunlight.
If you notice the plant is yellowing, this could be a sign of underwatering or too much sunlight. The stems and petioles should also be strong, upright, and free of lesions and discolorations. If you observe your Monstera in the morning and evening, you can also watch for its tendrils growing and curling around nearby objects.
Monsteras are climbers, so this will help them use their climbing abilities to reach even higher. Lastly, Monsteras like to be humid and slightly moist, so you can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity levels in the room to ensure your Monstera is at an optimal level of comfort.
Why is my Monstera leaf pointing up?
The reason why the leaf of your Monstera plant may be pointing up is likely due to an imbalance in the light it is receiving. Monstera plants prefer bright, indirect light, so if it is receiving too much direct sunlight, the leaf may turn upwards in an attempt to reduce its exposure.
Additionally, the soil in which the Monstera is planted also has an impact on the direction in which the leaf points; if the soil is overly moist and retains too much water, the plant will try and reposition itself, pointing the leaf upwards in the process.
To prevent your Monstera leaf from pointing upwards, make sure to keep it in an area with bright and indirect light, and adjust the soil’s moisture content and drainage as needed.
Can Monstera live indoors?
Yes, Monstera plants are perfectly suitable to be grown indoors. They’re one of the easier plants to keep indoors and don’t require much outside effort. Generally, Monstera likes to be grown in bright, indirect sunlight, though it still does well if left in the shade.
To keep the soil moist, water it on a regular basis and make sure that your Monstera is in a well-draining pot. You can also periodically mist the leaves so as to simulate rain. Chemically speaking, Monstera prefer pH levels that range from 6 to 7, and it’s important to ensure that disease and pests are kept away.
Furthermore, if you’re wanting to encourage fuller, bushier growth you should periodically prune the plant and make sure the roots have enough space. Follow these instructions and your Monstera should have no problem thriving indoors.
Can Monsteras grow in shade?
Yes, Monsteras (also known as Swiss Cheese Plants) can grow in shade. This tropical plant is originally from Central and South America, so it is accustomed to humid and shade-filled environments. While it is best to provide it with indirect, bright light and moderate humidity, Monsteras can still grow and thrive in partial or filtered shade.
To ensure the plant’s health, make sure the soil is moist but not soggy. Supplemental lighting with a grow light may be necessary for content growth. To get the most out of your Monstera in a low-light situation, keep it damp, feed it well, and give it indirect or filtered natural light or grow light to make sure it is getting enough nutrients.
What light is best for Monstera?
The best light for a Monstera is bright, indirect light. Be sure to avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the leaves to burn or become faded. The ideal light for a Monstera is a balance between direct and indirect light.
If you have the plant in a spot without direct sunlight, then it’s best to use a grow light to supplement the indirect light. Monstera prefers a warm environment, so you should avoid cooler areas, like near a drafty window.
If the leaves start to yellow, you can move the plant closer to the window to get a bit more light. Make sure to check on your Monstera regularly during different times of day since lighting can vary throughout the day.
Is my Monstera getting too much light?
It’s hard to say without knowing the exact location of your Monstera and the amount of light it’s receiving. Monstera plants prefer bright indirect sunlight, which means they should not be in direct, strong sunlight.
If you notice the leaves are turning yellow or wilting, it could be a sign that your Monstera is getting too much light and should be moved to a shaded area. Other signs of too much light include burned or brown leaf tips, discolored patches on the leaves, and thin stems and leaves.
If this is the case, you may need to move the plant to a location that has more shade or indirect sunlight. Also, make sure to check the soil moisture when determining if your Monstera is getting too much sun.
Overly wet or soggy soil can lead to problems such as root rot. To determine if this is the case, stick your finger into the top inch of the soil and feel around to check the moisture level. If it is still wet despite receiving too much sun, you may need to repot the plant in better draining soil or cut back on how much and how often you water it.
How many Lux do you need for Monstera?
For Monstera plants to thrive, they require bright, indirect light. The optimal range of light intensity that they need is anywhere from 2000 to 4500 Lux. This can be achieved by placing the plant in front of a south-, east-, or west-facing window.
If you don’t have access to bright, indirect light, you can supplement the light requirements with grow lights. The Monstera will need to receive around 10-12 hours of grow light each day for at least 8–12 weeks for it to do well.
It is important to point the grow light in such a way that it is placed at least a few feet away from the plant so that the intensity of light does not burn it.
What counts as bright indirect light?
Bright indirect light is a type of light that is not in direct sunlight, but still illuminates an area with enough brightness to support healthy plant growth. This type of light is usually found near windows that receive a lot of light, but do not have direct sunshine hitting the plants.
Many household plants and some outdoor plants, such as gardenias, prefer bright indirect light. Other ways to describe this type of light is diffuse light or indirect sunlight. Bright indirect light is similar in intensity to light that is seen on a cloudy day or that which is filtered through curtains or a sheer window covering.
Can a grow light burn plants?
Yes, a grow light can burn plants if it is too close to the plants and emits too much heat. Plants can also be burned by grow lights if they are exposed to extended periods of direct light that is too intense.
This can happen if you’ve set the light too close to them or if you haven’t chosen a plant that can withstand the particular type of light you are using. Depending on the type of light you are using, you should keep the light between 12 and 36 inches away from the top of the plant.
Additionally, the light should never remain on for more than 16 hours a day and should be off for at least 8 hours a day. If you are concerned about burning your plants, you may consider setting up a sensor for the light to turn off and on instead of leaving it on for a set amount of time.
Finally, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure that the type of light you are using is suitable for the plants you wish to grow.
How do you use grow lights in Monstera?
Using grow lights when taking care of Monstera is important because it helps ensure that your plant has enough light to grow and thrive. Since Monstera are tropical plants, they need 14-16 hours of light each day to stay healthy, but providing that amount of natural light from the sun is often not possible, especially in the winter months.
That’s why using LED or fluorescent grow lights is a great alternative to ensure that your Monstera is getting the light it needs. When setting up your grow lights, it is important to keep the fixtures about 16-24 inches away from the plant and to use a timer to provide the 14-16 hours of light each day.
Depending on the size of your Monstera, the specific wattage of the lights will vary, but typically, a general 10-15 watt LED grow light is ideal. Keep in mind that Monstera plants do not need lots of additional heat, so try to choose lights with a low light output.
Finally, you should look into getting supplemental lighting as your Monstera matures and starts to vine, as this will help the plant continue to grow and put out aerial roots and leaves.
What kind of light does a Monstera need?
Monstera plants need bright indirect light. A spot near a window that gets some natural light yet is not exposed to direct sunlight works well. It is best to avoid direct sunlight, as the leaves may burn if exposed to intense sun light.
For optimal growth the plant needs some sunlight, and if possible you should rotate the plant occasionally to ensure all areas of the plant get some light. In winter, when the days are shorter and there is less natural light, you may need to give your Monstera extra light with a grow light.
