Are you struggling to understand whether your Monstera plant needs direct sunlight or not? Contrary to some beliefs, these lush tropical plants don’t actually favor direct sunlight.
Our article is a comprehensive guide packed with tips and tricks on how much light Monsteras need for optimal growth and health. Let’s unlock the secrets of thriving Monstera care together!
Key Takeaways
- Monstera plants do not prefer direct sunlight. They thrive in indirect, bright light that is filtered or shaded.
- Signs that your Monstera needs more light include leaves not splitting, slow growth, leaf discoloration, and soil taking a long time to dry out.
- Too much sunlight can cause browning of the leaves, crisping up of the foliage, bleaching of the foliage, and stunted growth in Monsteras.
- Monsteras require about 8 to 10 hours of bright indirect light every day for optimal growth and health. Providing the right amount of light is crucial for their well-being.
Signs Your Monstera Needs More Light
The leaves won’t split, the soil takes a long time to dry out, there is leaf discoloration, and the growth is slow.
Leaves won’t split
Monstera leaves not splitting is a sign of too little sunlight. This plant needs light to grow split leaves. It’s a big part of becoming healthy and well-cared for. If your Monstera does not get enough sun, move it to a brighter place.
But be careful! Too much direct light can hurt it too. Lightly colored parts on the leaves mean the plant gets too much sun. Try different spots until you find one where your plant looks happy and its leaves start to split more often.
Soil takes a long time to dry out
Monstera plants get sick when their roots stay wet for too long. This happens if the soil stays moist due to lack of sunlight. The dark conditions make the soil hold water longer than good for Monstera’s roots.
The plant can’t use water well if it gets too little sun.
A lot of direct sunlight can dry out both the soil and air around your plant. Your Monstera needs some damp in the air to be healthy. If you keep your plant in a spot with too much sun, it might not have enough humid air around it.
Also, wet soil that stays unchanged for a long time may cause root rot, which is bad news for your Monstera’s health.
Leaf discoloration
Leaf discoloration can show your Monstera plant needs more light. The leaves may turn yellow if they get too much sun. Too much water also makes the leaves turn yellow. Brown spots on the leaves happen from too much water or not enough sunlight.
Dry soil and low humidity can make them brown and crispy too. Good care of your Monstera means watching for these signs of trouble with light, soil moisture, and overwatering.
Slow growth
If your Monstera plant is growing slowly, it could be because it’s not getting enough light. Insufficient light can cause slow growth and discourage overall growth in Monstera plants.
Weak, leggy growth is a sign that the plant isn’t receiving enough light. When Monstera plants are grown in low light conditions, they may become leggy and elongated. To ensure optimal growth and develop those beautiful split leaves, Monstera plants require consistent bright, indirect light.
Signs of Too Much Sunlight for Monstera
Too much sunlight can cause browning, crisping, bleaching, and stunted growth. Find out the warning signs for your Monstera plant!
Browning of leaves
If you notice the leaves of your Monstera turning brown, it could be a sign that they are getting too much sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn or scorch, leading to browning.
This happens because the intense heat and light can damage the plant’s cells. Overwatering and excessive direct sunlight are common causes of brown spots on Monstera leaves. To prevent this, make sure your Monstera is receiving bright, indirect light instead of direct sun exposure.
Crisping up leaves
If you notice that the leaves of your Monstera are crisping up and becoming dry, it could be a sign that they are getting too much sunlight. Excessive exposure to direct sunlight can burn the leaves and cause them to turn black or develop brown spots.
This leaf damage from sunlight can also make your Monstera more susceptible to fungal infections. To prevent this, make sure your plant is receiving bright but indirect light, and consider moving it away from windows or providing some shade if necessary.
Bleached foliage
Bleached foliage is a sign that your Monstera plant is getting too much sunlight. When the leaves of your Monstera become bleached, they might lose their vibrant green color and appear faded or pale.
This happens because excessive sunlight can damage the chlorophyll in the leaves, causing them to lose their pigmentation. If you notice bleached foliage on your Monstera, it’s important to move it to a spot with indirect, bright light to prevent further damage.
Leaf scald symptoms
Leaf scald symptoms can occur in Monstera plants if they are exposed to too much sunlight. When this happens, the leaves can get burned or scorched, resulting in brown discoloration.
You may notice brown areas on the leaves as a sign of leaf scald. Excessive sun exposure or high light levels can also cause browning, crisping up, and bleaching of the foliage. Sunburned Monstera plants might have black/brown spots, brown and yellow leaves, wilted and droopy leaves, or even crispy leaves.
Make sure to provide your Monstera with the right amount of light to prevent leaf scalding!
Leaf curling, shriveling, or wrinkling
When your monstera plant’s leaves start curling, shriveling, or wrinkling, it could be a sign of too much sunlight. Direct sunlight can be too intense for the monstera and cause its leaves to become damaged.
Overexposure to direct sunlight can make the leaves dry out and lose moisture, which leads to curling and shriveling. It’s important to provide indirect, bright light for your monstera instead of exposing it directly to the sun.
If you notice leaf curling or wilting, it might also mean that your plant is thirsty and needs water. So make sure you’re giving your monstera enough water while also protecting it from too much sun exposure.
Stunted or slowed growth
If your Monstera plant is not growing as it should, it may be because of too much sunlight. Excessive exposure to the sun can actually slow down or stunt the growth of your plant. This is why it’s important to provide your Monstera with the right amount of indirect, bright light.
If you notice that your plant isn’t growing as quickly as it should, try moving it to a location where it receives slightly less direct sunlight. By finding the perfect balance between light and shade, you can help promote healthy and steady growth for your Monstera plant.
Drooping and wilting
Drooping and wilting of Monstera leaves can happen when they get too much sunlight. The harsh rays can cause the leaves to turn brown, wilt, and droop. It’s like a sunburn for the plant! When Monstera plants are exposed to excess sunlight, it can dry out their leaves and make them lose moisture.
This leads to drooping and wilting as the plant gets dehydrated. So, if you notice your Monstera looking sad with droopy or wilted leaves, it might be a sign that it needs some shade from the intense sun.
Monstera Light Requirements
Monstera plants require indirect, bright light to thrive. The recommended light intensity and duration can vary depending on the season, and it is important to be aware of the dangers of both too much and too little light for your Monstera.
Can Monstera grow in low light? Let’s find out.
Indirect, bright light
Monsteras thrive in indirect, bright light. They love being near a window where the sunlight is filtered or shaded. Direct sunlight can harm their leaves, so it’s best to avoid placing them in direct sun.
Most Monstera species need about 8 to 10 hours of bright, filtered, or indirect light every day. This helps them grow and stay healthy. Remember that too little light can cause stunted growth for Monsteras, so make sure they get as much bright indirect light as possible.
Recommended light intensity and duration
To help your Monstera thrive, it is recommended to provide it with five to eight hours of bright indirect light every day. This means placing your plant in a spot where it can receive plenty of natural light, but not direct sunlight.
If you’re growing your Monstera indoors, position it near windows where there is bright indirect light. You can also use artificial lighting if needed, making sure the intensity and duration are appropriate for optimal growth.
Remember that providing the right amount of light is crucial for the health and development of your Monstera plant.
Effect of seasons on light quality
The quality of light that a Monstera plant receives can be affected by the changing seasons. As the sun’s position in the sky changes throughout the year, so does the intensity and duration of daylight.
During winter, there may be less natural sunlight available, which can result in lower light intensity for your Monstera. On the other hand, during summer, there might be more direct sunlight, leading to higher light intensity.
These variations in light quality can impact how well your Monstera grows and thrives. By observing your plant and its growth patterns, you can adjust its lighting needs accordingly by supplementing with artificial lighting if necessary.
Dangers of too much and too little light
Too much sunlight can be harmful to your Monstera plant. It can cause the leaves to burn and become damaged or scorched. Signs of excessive sunlight include browning of the leaves, crisping up of the foliage, and bleached patches on the leaves.
On the other hand, too little light can also have negative effects on your Monstera plant. In low light conditions, the leaves may wilt and turn yellow. Incorrect lighting conditions can result in stunted growth and other undesirable consequences for your Monstera plant’s health.
It’s important to find a balance by providing indirect, bright light for your Monstera to thrive properly.
Can Monstera grow in low light?
Monstera plants can tolerate low light conditions, but they won’t thrive in them. While Monstera plants are known for being adaptable and shade-tolerant, they still need a certain amount of bright, indirect light to grow properly.
In their natural rainforest habitat, Monsteras grow under the canopy where filtered sunlight reaches them. So while they don’t require direct sunlight, placing your Monstera near a window with bright indirect light is ideal.
Too little light can lead to slow growth and smaller leaves, so it’s important to find the right balance for your Monstera’s lighting needs.
FAQs – Does Monstera Need Direct Sunlight?
1. Does Monstera need direct sunlight?
Monstera plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate some direct sunlight as well.
2. Can I place my Monstera plant near a window with direct sunlight?
It’s best to avoid placing your Monstera plant directly in the path of intense, hot sun as it can burn the leaves. Indirect sunlight near a window is ideal.
3. How often should I water my Monstera plant?
Water your Monstera plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It’s important not to overwater and allow proper drainage to prevent root rot.
4. What are some tips for caring for a Monstera plant?
Some tips for caring for a Monstera plant include providing bright, indirect light, watering when needed, regular dusting of leaves, and occasional fertilization during growing season.
5. Can I grow a Monstera plant indoors without natural light?
While natural light is preferred for optimal growth, you can still grow a healthy Monstera plant indoors by using artificial grow lights that provide the necessary spectrum and intensity of light needed by the plant.
I’m George Brown, a keen gardener, passionate about helping beginners grow fresh herbs and plants. My guidance focuses on the essentials of plant growth and the pleasure of cultivating greenery. In my blog posts, I share practical tips on how anyone can transform their space into a thriving area for plants and herbs.