The monstera deliciosa is still one of the most popular houseplants. The big tropical leaf look reemerged from the 70s causing a plant craze on social media and in the home decor scene. Monstera leaves decorate tote bags, wallpaper, and even jewelry. Once a hard to find plant, now you can pick up a monstera along with your groceries or at the local hardware store. I purchased my first monstera from Ikea years ago. I didn’t know much about plants back then, and placed it in a dimly lit corner. It looked great in that spot, but was starved for light. Lack of light caused a slew of issues like yellow leaves, thrips, and root rot. These hard lessons turned into wisdom and eventually taught me how to cultivate a beautiful monstera deliciosa. Here’s a few pointers so you can avoid my mistakes.
Monstera deliciosa, commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant, is currently one of the most popular houseplants. Its lush green leaves with signature holes make it an incredible addition to any indoor jungle. If you’re lucky enough to have a baby monstera plant, proper spacing is crucial for helping it grow into a healthy and thriving adult plant. In this article we’ll explore why spacing matters, optimal spacing guidelines and tips for ensuring your monstera has adequate room to reach its full potential.
Why Proper Spacing Matters
While tiny baby monsteras are absolutely adorable, our goal is to help them mature into full-grown, healthy specimens. Proper spacing provides several benefits that lead to better plant health:
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Prevents overcrowding and competition. With adequate space, each plant has access to light nutrition and moisture without having to compete for resources.
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Allows proper air circulation Good airflow prevents pest and fungal issues
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Gives roots room to spread out. Monsteras have extensive root systems and require space to stretch out.
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Enables proper moisture levels. Too many plants crowded together retains moisture and increases rot risk.
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Maximizes light exposure. Each plant needs light access to power growth and prevent legginess.
Getting spacing right from the start prevents long-term issues and gives your monstera the conditions it needs to thrive.
Optimal Spacing Guidelines
When dealing with tiny baby monsteras, it can be tempting to group them close together. However, planning for their mature size is crucial. Here are some general spacing guidelines:
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Between pots: At least 2-3 feet between monstera pots once established. This prevents overcrowding and allows lots of light access.
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Within pots: If planting multiple monsteras in one pot, space at least 6 inches apart. This prevents their root balls from entangling as they age.
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From walls: Place pots at least 1-2 feet from walls and other large objects. This ensures adequate airflow and light exposure.
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From windows: Situate monsteras so no leaves touch windows, preferably 2-4 feet away. Leaves touching cold glass will burn.
These are general recommendations, but you can adjust as needed based on your monstera’s growth habits and environment. The most important thing is preventing overcrowding.
Tips for Proper Spacing
Here are some useful tips to ensure proper spacing for your monstera as it grows:
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Use larger pots than you think necessary. This allows root room and prevents frequent repotting.
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Place pots on plant stands or shelves. This maximizes air circulation and light exposure.
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Rotate pots occasionally for even light exposure. But keep spacing consistent.
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Stake and prune to control unruly growth. This prevents monstera leaves from crowding their neighbors.
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Group plants by light requirements. Monsteras need bright, indirect light. Don’t mix with low-light plants.
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Monitor growth and adjust spacing as needed. Being proactive prevents plants from crowding.
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Divide overgrown pots. Monsteras often outgrow one pot. You can split and repot divisions for better spacing.
Providing Support as Monstera Vines Grow
An important aspect of spacing is considering the monstera’s vining growth habit. Given proper support, monstera vines can grow quite long. Here are some tips for supporting those vines:
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Provide moss or coco coir poles for support. Natural options blend in well and maintain humidity.
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Use plant Velcro or ties to gently attach vines. Avoid sharp ties that dig into stems.
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Place support near the base of the plant for stability. Don’t just tie vines haphazardly along their length.
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Add additional smaller supports further out if needed. This prevents excessive dangling.
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Prune back vines once they become overly long and unruly. Promote bushier growth habit instead.
With the proper set up, you can allow your monstera to vine gracefully within its space rather than taking over.
Signs Your Monstera Needs More Space
If you notice any of the following, it’s likely a sign your monstera needs more breathing room:
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Slow, leggy growth
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Leaves or vines crowding other plants
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Leaves yellowing or browning due to lack of light
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Poor air circulation leading to dust or pest issues
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Roots growing out of drainage holes or lifting the pot
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Soil staying overly moist between waterings
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General lack of vibrancy or new growth
Reevaluate spacing and pot size if you notice these red flags. Giving each monstera adequate space to spread out leads to better health.
Enjoy Your Thriving, Spaced Out Monsteras
With the proper spacing techniques, you can ensure your baby monstera plants grow into thriving adults. Pay close attention in those initial stages and make adjustments as needed. Proper spacing is one of the easiest yet most important aspects of monstera care. Soon you’ll have luminous monsteras with plenty of room to show off their iconic split leaves. Just be sure to enjoy some humidity and sunshine yourself as you care for your indoor jungle!
Aerial Roots Are The Key To A Big Monstera
Aerial roots will inevitably show up on a healthy monstera. In the wild, aerial roots help mature monsteras absorb moisture above ground and anchor the climbing vines. In your home, aerial roots look awkward, but can hold the key to a bigger monstera. If you don’t like the look of aerial roots, catch them in the early stages and angle them into the potting soil. They will sense the moisture and grow inward. If they’ve already gotten too long, give them their own water source. Set a jar of water next to your plant, and submerge the aerial roots inside. When aerial roots get nourishment, your monstera will thrive.
More Light Than You Think
Sunlight is everything. Like most tropical houseplants, the monstera deliciosa is marketed as a “low light” plant. This may be the case outdoors or in the wild, but inside your home, a monstera will need bright light. If you live in the northern hemisphere, definitely place your monstera in a spot with some direct sunlight, especially over winter when sunlight is weaker. My monsteras grow giant leaves when they receive a few hours of direct, east-facing sunlight. During the winter I move them to a spot with direct, south-facing sunlight and they continue to thrive.
How to set up your Monstera for success
FAQ
How far apart do you plant Monstera deliciosa?
How to care for baby Monstera plant?
Where should I place my mini Monstera?
How do I make my Monstera plant thrive?
How big does a baby Monstera grow?
Mature Monstera plants can grow up to 10 feet tall and have leaves that measure up to three feet long. At this stage, the plant requires less care than during its earlier stages but still needs regular watering and pruning to maintain its shape. How often should I water my baby Monstera plant?
How much space does a Monstera plant need?
During this stage, the plants require plenty of space as they can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors or even larger outdoors. The leaves on an adult Monstera plant are generally split and fenestrated, which allows them to absorb more sunlight for photosynthesis. Provide indirect sunlight and adequate water to care for your mature Monstera plant.
Where should a Monstera plant be placed?
Ideally, you should place your Monstera near east or west-facing windows where it can receive enough bright, indirect light throughout the day. If a window receives direct sunlight, move the plant a few feet away or use sheer curtains to block some of the light.
Do Baby Monstera plants need direct sunlight?
Baby Monstera plants require bright but indirect light during their early stages of growth. Direct sunlight can be harmful to young plants and may cause their leaves to burn or wilt. As your plant grows older and enters its juvenile and mature stages, it can tolerate more direct sunlight. Why are my baby Monstera plant’s leaves turning yellow?