Monstera plants (also known as split-leaf philodendrons) are a top pick for houseplants cause they’re simple to look after. They’re all about that bright, indirect light and they like things cozy between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re thinking about getting one of these beauties for your place, it’s important to understand their monstera light requirements. This guide’s gonna teach you exactly how much light a Monstera needs and the best way to give it to ’em. With this info, you can make sure your Monstera has the perfect pad for its growth game!
Monstera light requirements
How much light your Monstera needs can change depending on what type of Monstera it is and where you’re keeping it. Different light’s gonna have different effects on your Monstera. This will give you a clue if your Monstera wants more or less light, or if it’s happy chilling where it is!
Bright, indirect light
Monstera plants are big fans of bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can zap their leaves, so you wanna find a spot where they’ll get loads of light without getting direct sunlight. If the light’s kinda low, your plant might have a tough time making those cool split leaves. Put your Monstera by a window that gets a lot of natural light is a solid move.
If your crib isn’t super bright, a grow light can help keep your plant in the green.
Bright, Direct Sunlight
Monsteras can’t handle the heat of direct sunlight. If your Monstera catches too many rays, it’s gonna get sunburned (yeah, plants get sunburned too). A sunburned leaf has these brown spots where the sun got too intense, and sometimes the edges of the spots turn yellow.
If only parts of the leaf are burnt and the entire leaf isn’t torched, you’re still good. The burnt place will never heal and the leaf will eventually turn yellow and fall off.
Monsteras can, kinda, get used to brighter light by getting a little more sunshine each day. The leaves can develop up to more light over a few weeks, but too much sunlight in one go will burn them. This is what we call “hardening off.
Artificial light
In some situations, you might need to bring in some artificial light to make sure your Monstera’s getting enough glow. You can use a grow light, like a fluorescent or LED one, that gives off between 3,000 and 6,000 lumens. Put the artificial light 15-24 inches away from your Monstera’s leaves for the best effect. Like with natural light, keep an eye on how much light your Monstera’s getting and tweak as needed.
Low Light
Your Monstera’s not gonna be living its best life in low light. As long as there’s a bit of light, it’ll hang on, but low light will make your Monstera grow really slow. It might have smaller leaves that don’t have as many splits.
Your Monstera might start on the hunt for more light if it’s not getting enough. In the wild, they use their air roots to climb trees and get closer to the sun. But do you have any trees for it to climb in your house? (If we had one, I bet my boys would be all over it!)
So, how does this “looking for light” thing show up in a houseplant Monstera? It might sometimes move away from your window if it thinks there’s a shade tree it can climb nearby. If your Monstera’s leaning away from your window, that’s its way of telling you it wants more light.
With less light, your Monstera’s growth will be slower, so it won’t need as much water and fertilizer. Only water your plant when the top few inches of soil are dry.
All in all, it’s best to let your Monstera show you how much light it needs. Keep an eye on its growth and watch for any changes in the color or shape of the leaves that might mean it needs more or less light.
Light requirements of Monstera varieties
Because the variegated sections of the leaves lack chlorophyll, variegated Monstera plants need extra light. Only the green parts of a variegated Monstera’s leaves have the chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis. This genetic quirk stops the variegated parts from using the sun’s energy to make energy for the plant.
Mini Monstera light requirements
The Mini Monstera is a gorgeous, low-maintenance plant that’s perfect for beginners. It’s a native of the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, and it’s all about bright, indirect light. But, it can also handle low light conditions and can even thrive under artificial light.
The secret to success is to keep the light source steady. Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your plant, keep a close watch on the leaves. If they start to go yellow or brown, that’s a sign that the plant’s not getting enough light. Moving it to a brighter spot should bring back its vibrant green color.
If you are experiencing Monstera turning yellow this is the article for you: Monstera Leaves Turning Yellow: Reason and How to Fix
Monstera Albo light requirements
The Monstera albo is a stunning and popular plant, famous for its big, shiny leaves. It’s pretty simple to take care of, but the Monstera albo does have specific light needs to really bloom.
The plant likes bright, indirect light and should be put in a spot where it’ll get several hours of sun every day. But, the plant can also cope with low light conditions, so you can put it in a darker room if you need to.
If the Monstera albo doesn’t get enough light, the leaves will go pale and boring, and the plant might eventually kick the bucket. So, it’s key to give the plant bright, indirect light to keep it healthy and cheery.
Monstera Adansonii light requirements
The Monstera adansonii (also known as the Swiss cheese plant) is a well-loved houseplant that’s famous for its big, shiny leaves. While it’s cool with low light levels, it will thrive in brighter spots. The perfect place for a Monstera adansonii is somewhere that gets filtered sun or dappled shade. If the plant gets too much direct sun, the leaves might get brown scorch marks.
With too little light, the leaves will get smaller and the plant will grow more slowly. When picking a spot for your Monstera adansonii, keep in mind that it will eventually become quite large. The plant can get up to six feet tall and four feet wide, so make sure it has lots of room to grow.
The Monstera thai constellation light requirements
The Monstera thai constellation is a super unique plant that’s native to Thailand. While it’s related to the more common Monstera deliciosa, the thai constellation is a bit different in a few key ways. Most notably, it has much smaller leaves with intricate patterns that look like stars. The plant’s also pretty rare, making it a prized piece for any indoor garden. When it comes to light needs, the Monstera thai constellation likes bright, indirect light. It can deal with a bit of direct sun, but too much direct sunlight can make the leaves scorch. If you’re growing the plant indoors, a south- or east-facing window is ideal.
Signs Monstera needs more light
One way to figure out if your monstera needs more light is by watching the position of its leaves. If the leaves are leaning towards a light source, this shows that the plant isn’t getting enough light where it is.
Another sign is if the leaves have fewer and smaller holes, or if they’re losing their split/perforated look. This is the plant’s way of trying to catch more light. Moving your monstera to a brighter spot can help sort out these issues. Giving it artificial light, like with grow lights, can also be good for monsteras that don’t have enough natural light. Remember to slowly increase the amount of light to avoid shocking your plant.
Leggy stems and slower growth can also point to a need for more light. Giving your monstera enough light will promote healthy and vibrant growth. If you notice these signs, think about giving your plant brighter conditions to help it thrive.
Small, sparse leaves can also show that the plant isn’t getting enough light. Keep an eye on these signals and make changes as needed for the health and happiness of your monstera.
Pale or yellowing leaves can also be a sign of too much direct light, so make sure to give some filtered or indirect light as well. With the right amount of light, your monstera will flourish and bring color to your space
If your plant is being drooping, please refer to the article: Why Is My Monstera Drooping? Signs, and Solutions
How much light does a monstera need?
Monsteras need a decent chunk of light to really bloom, so it’s important to pick their spot carefully. Ideally, they should get 10 to 12 hours of sunlight every day. But, in the winter months, when the days are shorter, they can manage with 8 to 10 hours of light if the air is kept moist. It’s key to give monsteras a steady light source, as they won’t do well if they go through periods of total darkness.
When it comes to artificial lighting, fluorescent or LED grow lights can also be used to give your monstera a boost. Pop them about 12 inches away from the plant and use a timer to give 10 to 12 hours of light per day to make sure they get the right lighting for best growth.
For indoor plants, this means using grow lights or placing them by a bright window. Outdoor plants should be put in a spot that gets full sun for most of the day.
Can monstera grow in low light?
Yes, absolutely. Monstera plants are really sturdy and can cope with low light conditions. In fact, it’s harder to kill a monstera plant than to keep it alive. This tropical plant can bounce back from root rot, underwatering, pest invasions, being root bound, and not getting the right fertilization.
But, it’s important to note that while monstera can cope with low light conditions, it will bloom and grow faster in medium to bright indirect light. So, if you want your monstera to reach its full potential, try putting it by a bright window or using a grow light.
What Should I Do If My Home Doesn’t Get Enough Light?
If your home doesn’t get enough light, there are a few things you can do to brighten things up.
- First off, think about rearranging your furniture. Move sofas and chairs away from windows and into the center of the room to create a more open feel.
- Also, declutter your space by getting rid of extra bits and bobs and decorations. A clean, uncluttered room will feel automatically brighter and more welcoming.
- Finally, add some clever lighting. Table lamps and floor lamps can help to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in any room.
With a bit of effort, you can transform a dark, gloomy space into a bright and cheery haven.
Monsteras are stunning plants that can add a touch of green to any room. Monstera light needs are for a good amount of light, though, so it’s important to pick their spot carefully. In the winter months, when the days are shorter, they can manage with 8 to 10 hours of light if the air is kept moist. It’s key to give monsteras a steady light source, as they won’t do well if they go through periods of total darkness. Thanks for reading FamiPlants post!
