As a Monstera fan, I’m super familiar with their bright leaves and how they’re simple to care for, making them a favorite part of any plant collection. But it’s pretty usual for some of us to get confused when our Monsteras start growing sideways. Even though this may look unsightly or problematic, don’t worry, I have a solution. In this blog post, I’m going to dig into the common causes behind this lateral growth and give you some handy tips to steer its growth back to normal.
Why Is My Monstera Growing Sideways?
If your Monstera starts taking on a sideways lean, don’t panic. This peculiar growth pattern might be due to various reasons, each with its own solution. Here’s a table that outlines the key reasons why your Monstera may be growing sideways and the recommended course of action:
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of Support | Monsteras are natural climbers. Without support like a moss pole or trellis, they tend to grow sideways. | Install a moss pole or trellis for your Monstera to climb. |
| Unbalanced Light | If the plant is receiving more light on one side, it will grow towards that direction, causing lopsidedness. | Rotate your Monstera regularly to ensure equal light distribution on all sides. |
| Overwatering | Overwatered Monsteras are susceptible to root rot, compromising the root’s ability to support the plant, causing it to lean. | Monitor your watering routine. Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. |
| Nutrient Deficiency | A lack of nutrients can stunt growth and lead to weak stems, causing the plant to lean over. | Fertilize your Monstera every few months with a balanced fertilizer. |
The Gravity Effect
You might ask, “Why is gravity affecting my Monstera so much?” Well, when Monsteras are young, they can kinda grow on their own. However, as they mature, they seek to replicate their natural habitat’s growth pattern, where they use aerial roots for support and climb on surrounding structures. In your home, this support may not be as much as in nature, causing the plant to seek and grow sideways.
The Climbing Tendency
In essence, Monsteras are part of the climbing plant club. They develop aerial roots to help them climb trees in their native habitat. By growing from the ground to the top of a tree, they have a better chance of receiving adequate light. This exposure to light promotes healthier growth and the development of lush, holey leaves. So, when you see your Monstera growing sideways in the absence of a support structure, remember, it’s just being true to its nature!
The secret is to identify the specific reason for your Monstera’s sideways growth, address it, and help your plant thrive in an environment as close to its native habitat as possible.
How to Get Your Monstera to Grow Upright
Getting your Monstera to grow straight isn’t that tough, but it does require the right tools and some care. Your Monstera really wants something to hold on to, similar to the tall trees it would grow on in its natural habitat, and providing this at home can encourage upright growth. Here are some steps you can take:
Implementing a Support System
For your Monstera to ascend, it needs a structure to climb. A favorite pick for lots of plant owners is the moss pole (you can see details on how to use moss pole with monstera in the article how to attach monstera to moss pole). The organic texture of the moss pole makes it a perfect candidate for the Monstera’s aerial roots to latch on and guide its growth upward.
Watch this video to help you to set up your monstera growing Upright for successful
Customizing Support According to Space
If you’re worried about saving space, chill. You can make your own simple prop. A thin pole, like a four-foot dowel rod wrapped with jute, could be a great homemade choice. You can trim the aerial roots to keep them tidy without doing any harm to your Monstera.
Securing Your Monstera
No matter if you go for a moss pole or a customized trellis, you’ll need something to hold up your plant – here comes, garden velcro. It’s a handy tool, useful for cord management, household organization chores, and of course, holding up your Monstera.
Start by cleaning up your Monstera’s aerial roots and stick the vines along the pole with the green velcro. As your Monstera vine gets heavier, remember to secure it at multiple spots on the vine, not just at the top. This provides extra stability, stopping the plant from leaning due to its weight.
Restructuring the Support
If your Monstera has already started to grow sideways, you can still change its direction. Restake the support pole if it’s leaning under the weight of your Monstera vine and gently reposition the vine along the pole. Use the garden velcro to secure it at different spots. This won’t harm your Monstera; instead, it’ll help it to grow up.
In essence, making your Monstera comfy, similar to its wild habitat, will get the plant to grow upright. It might take a bit of time and patience, but seeing your Monstera stand tall and thrive is rewarding!
How To Prevent My Monstera From Growing Sideways?
Taking steps to stop your Monstera growing upright from the beginning can save you from future fixes. Below are some steps you can add to your Monstera care routine to stop sideways growth:
Implement a Support System Early
One of the first things you can do is to introduce a support system for your Monstera early in its life. Using a moss pole, trellis, or garden stakes helps your plant to climb, thus promoting upward growth. You can either buy a ready-made moss pole or make one by wrapping sphagnum moss around a piece of wood or bamboo.
Regular Rotation for Balanced Light Exposure
Another step to stop is to keep turning your Monstera to make sure all its sides get equal light. Uneven light distribution can make your plant lean to the light, causing unevenness. Keep turning can make sure balanced growth and prevent sideways leaning.
Watering Practices to Prevent Overwatering
Too much water can rot roots, which weakens the plant, making it lean over or grow sideways. So, it’s crucial to water your Monstera only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Use this watering method can stop root rot and promote healthier, upright growth.
Fertilization for Strong and Healthy Growth
Making sure your Monstera gets a regular dose of nutrients is vital. Using a good fertilizer every few months can help your plant grow strong and healthy. A healthy plant is less likely to lean over due to weak stems.
Repotting to Save Rotting Roots
If you see signs of root rot, don’t hesitate to repot your plant in a pot with fresh, well-draining soil. Root rot can cause the roots to die, which can make your Monstera lean over or grow sideways.
Stopping your Monstera from growing sideways involves timely support, balanced light, right watering habits, regular fertilization, and taking care of roots. By getting ahead in these things, you can guide your Monstera to grow beautifully upright and enjoy its awesome leaves to the max.
Caring for your Monstera and helping it grow upright involves understanding its natural growth habits. With a supportive environment, balanced light, enough water, and nutrients, you can stop your Monstera from growing sideways. Remember, growing a great indoor plant takes patience and dedication. For more plant care tips, don’t forget to check out FamiPlants.
