How much light does a Monstera need? The Ultimate Guide

Light is one of the critical factors involved in the growth and development of Monstera plants. To help a Monstera grow best, you need to pay attention to fundamental factors such as light, temperature, humidity, and soil nutrients.

How much light does a Monstera need?

Light is considered an energy source and plays a significant role in the growth and development of plants. Monstera will grow weakly and develop if there is a lack of light. The light requirements of Monstera species can vary widely and manifest in terms of light intensity, illumination length, and light quality. On average, Monstera plants need about 6-8 hours of bright light per week and moderate light the rest of the time.

Roles of light conditions for Monstera

In terms of light intensity, plants need moderate light intensity or adapt very well to average lighting conditions. However, it is also necessary to distinguish Monstera species that can stand low light intensity for a long and short period. In general, the Monstera plants do well under diffused light and have developed a series of defense mechanisms to protect against light deficiency or excess, most specifically their color change.

Along with light intensity, the quality of light is a factor that regulates plant growth. Suppose you put the plant in place with high light intensity, directivity, and a lot of ultraviolet light (small wavelength).

In that case, the plant’s growth is slow in stature, leaf size, and distribution, out branches. In contrast, if it is in a place with low-intensity lighting conditions, reflected light with a lot of infrared rays, the tree tends to grow tall, the branches are long, but the branching is poor. You can take advantage of this plant feature to care for your Monstera to grow in the direction you want.

Plants can respond by growing strongly or bending towards the light source, known as phototropism. The directional growth caused by light also adjusts the gain and shape, especially indoor plants where there is a difference in irradiance. Shining. According to research, blue or purple lights are more effective in causing phototropism of plants than other types of colored light.

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Different light levels affect the growth of Monstera

Direct and strong light

Monsteras are rainforest plants, which means they don’t always like direct sunlight. Monsteras typically grow beneath the canopy of rainforests and use aerial roots to climb other trees toward the light. It even hypothesizes that the leaf holes may have evolved in part to allow more light to pass through the lower leaves.

Direct light is not the best for you and is one of the lighting conditions you should try to avoid. Bright, direct sunlight (meaning the sun’s rays hit the leaves directly and the leaves cast a shadow) can burn leaves, leaving behind ugly brown spots that are irreversible.

Indirect and medium light

You hear the term a lot about houseplants, and “indirect light” means bright light from a nearby window, but the sun’s rays never really hit the leaves. Generally, make sure your tree doesn’t cast a shadow. Indirect light is needed for Monstera and encourages it to increase! If you want to develop a large, prominent Monstera plant to stand out, place it in a bright room some distance away from a window or right next to a window that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight.

Dim light

Low light usually means that the plant is farther in a room, further away from a window, or with few windows. It does not imply a room without windows because not many houseplants can grow without natural light. Monsteras are pretty challenging and can survive well in low light. If you live in a home that doesn’t have a lot of natural light, you can still enjoy a beautiful Monstera! However, with low light conditions, Monstera species may also grow more slowly.

If you want to keep Monstera growing at a slow pace, this is a good suggestion for you. If you have a small space in your home and don’t want a Monstera to take up a larger area, you can maintain the plant in low light conditions.

Sign of Monstera plant light requirements

Sign #1: If your Monstera’s leaves aren’t splitting, it may require more light

If your Monstera is more than three years old, you should see some fenestration or leaf breaking.

After all, it’s one of the most recognizable features of monsters and the reason why so many of us have them!

However, your Monstera will require light to accomplish this. The absence of holes in mature leaves is a definite indicator that your Monstera might benefit from additional light.

Sign #2: If it takes a while for the Monstera soil to dry, it may require extra light

Monsteras just need a little water, but they don’t like damp roots. When the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. (Dig your finger into the dirt.) It’s time to water your plant if the soil is dry to the second knuckle!)

The sun aids in the effective use of water by your Monstera, but in the dark, the soil might stay moist for far longer than is beneficial for the roots.

If you’re spending more than 10 days without watering and the soil still feels damp, you should give your plant extra light as well as modify the quantity of water you give it. (While we’re on the subject of dirt, this potting mix is ideal for your Monstera.)

Sign #3: If you see leaf discoloration, give your Monstera more light

There might be a few things going on if you detect dark brown stains or yellowing on your Monstera leaves.

First and foremost, you are most likely overwatering your plant. However, as we discussed in the previous paragraph, light and over-watering difficulties frequently coexist since the soil cannot dry up in low-light settings.

If reducing the quantity of water you give your Monstera doesn’t solve the problem, you may try moving it closer to a window or choosing a brighter window entirely.

Sign #4:  if your Monstera is developing slowly, it may require additional light.

Monsteras, particularly Monstera deliciosa, have a reputation for developing into, well, monsters!

Monstera deliciosa, for an instance, may reach heights of 10 feet inside in a relatively short period of time.

If your Monstera hasn’t grown larger or put forth new leaves in a few months (particularly during the spring or summer), it may not be getting enough light to provide the energy needed to sustain that new development.

Some more notes on necessary lighting conditions for a Monstera

Monstera, when placed indoors, needs to be put in place with natural light. If the indoor space is dark and the lighting conditions are low, you should bring the plant outside to brighter light from time to time, maybe 2-3 times a week. Please do not place a Monstera in direct sunlight because it will cause the plant to turn yellow or die. If you keep the plant indoors, do not place it directly near a window where direct sunlight shines in.

The suitable temperature for Monstera plants is from 16-30 degrees Celsius. If the temperature drops below 8 degrees, a Monstera will die. Monstera does not like drying or waterlogging, so your watering needs to be regular and moderate. Combine fertilizer for fast growth. Several plant diseases may be associated with rot roots. Monstera is best grown indoors and in average light conditions.

The soil for growing plants needs to be aerated, porous, and well-retained. You can mix more charcoal, ash, rice husk, and coconut fiber. Monsteras only need to be watered once a day in the early morning or late afternoon. For indoor plants, before watering, we need to check the water’s humidity manually. If dry, it can usually be watered. They only need to be watered about 1 to 2 times a week. For aquatic species that live in the water, add more when the water dries up.

Although plants are very good at purifying the air, they should not be directly touched or eaten. The plant contains calcium oxalate, which causes burning, nausea, and vomiting. If you have small children at home, do not let them have direct contact with the tree. Eat the leaves to avoid injury to the baby.