Monstera Plant Lighting Requirements

We all…

know of and love the big lushes and deep green leaves of a Monstera plant! The elegant split leaves that make this plant stand out are stunning! However, to get these leaves to be as big and beautiful as they can be your Monstera plant will need the right light requirements. Understanding what lighting requirements your gorgeous jungle plant needs is the key to getting it to be as beautiful and full of life as you are!

What Type of Light Does My Monstera Plant Need?

There are a few different lighting conditions we talk about in the plant realm

• Low light: Your house might have a few small windows or barely any. Maybe a north-facing window if you’re lucky. North-facing windows are not ideal and the lack of other windows would put your house in low light condition. Perhaps your house feels dark and gloomy mostly with small bursts of direct sunlight.
• Medium-light: If you have a lot of trees surrounding your house or bushes in front of your windows from the outside this can sometimes block sunlight coming in, but you still get a decent amount for a few hours in the day. This means you have medium lighting conditions.
• Bright, indirect light: This is a monstera plants heaven! Bright sunshine that only hits a certain spot or part of your house every day. This is the perfect house to put your monstera close to a window that gets that bright light but not shine directly on your plant. This is what we mean by bright, indirect sunlight.
• Direct light: There is nothing a monstera plant hates more than being put right in the spotlight….literally. If your house gets bright light every day and it’s shining right onto your Monstera plant I would move it to a spot with indirect light like we mentioned above. This will save any sunburned foliage.

Ideal Lighting Conditions for Indoor Monstera Plants

The best lighting conditions for your monstera plant are bright, indirect light. This is why most people place it near a south or east-facing window. Avoid a west-facing window as this will shine direct sunlight on your monstera leaves in the afternoon and can cause sunburn.

How to Tell if Your Monstera Plant Needs More Light

Your monstera plant needs the right light each day and for the right amount of time. If you live in conditions with low lighting you might want to think about getting your hands on a grow light. They are a great substitute, I have this one and it’s been amazing.

Some signs that your monstera might need more light

• Very slow or stunted growth. Low lighting conditions means low growth as it needs to conserve its energy.
• Soil stays damp too long and you’re watering less. Less light means your monstera plant cannot absorb the nutrients in the soil due to not having strength and energy so your soil stays wet for longer periods. This also leads to root rot.
• Leaves are turning yellow or spotted. Monstera’s use energy stored in their leaves so if they pull this energy out from lack of lighting they will start to turn yellow.
• Leaves are not splitting. If your monstera is not splitting its leaves it might have a lack of energy from lack of lighting to perform this part of growth.

Signs Your Monstera Plant Is Getting Too Much Light

Too much of a good thing is not healthy! And your Monstera plant is no exception! It needs just the right amount of light not too much or too little!

Some signs your monstera is getting too much light

• Scorched or sunburned leaves.
• Soil is dry all the time. Too much light can cause your soil to dry out quicker between waterings.
• Curling leaves at the tips. This can often mean too much light and too little water.

Common Lighting Mistakes to Avoid with Monstera Plants

I made plenty of mistakes when I first started caring for Monstera’s and well, some didn’t make it! I have learned why and now I know better! So my experience is through proof! Lighting can sometimes be tricky so there are some common lighting mistakes to be aware of so you don’t end up killing your indoor jungle!

• Leaving your monstera in a dark corner. Your monstera will tolerate a dark corner but that doesn’t mean it enjoys it. It will stop growing and will look defeated as it does not have access to enough bright indirect light.
• Direct sunlight. Your monstera is not looking to get a sunburn! Placing it right in the sun will burn its foliage so place it in indirect light from the sun.
• Not rotating your plant. Rotating your plant every few days is important for healthy foliage development. This will ensure your Monstera plant is getting enough light all around. The foliage will have access to indirect light and new growth with proper lighting.
• Seasonal changes. It’s no wonder we all get depressed in winter from lack of sunlight. Well, good news! Your monstera plant feels the same! Winter brings with it a lack of life and a lack of the amount of light each day. To help give your monstera plant the required light it needs you can easily substitute with an indoor grow light. This will ensure your monstera will get enough light to continue to grow and keep its healthy foliage.

Best Spots in Your Home for a Monstera Plant

You should know the best spots in your home to place your monstera plant.

• East facing windows- east facing windows are great at giving gentle morning sunlight with a good amount of afternoon indirect light making it the sweet spot!
• Bright rooms with light- Indirect light is crucial for your plant so finding a spot that gets enough indirect light for hours each day will easily become your monstera’s favorite spot! Living rooms or dining rooms are great options as they usually have windows.
• Good air circulation- monsteras don’t just require good lighting they also need good airflow. This will ensure that diseases and mold don’t grow on its foliage. So you want to keep it away from stuffy corners or dusty hallways as your beautiful monstera plant will turn into a dust catcher!

How To Tell If Your Monstera Is Getting Enough Light

If you’re stressed out and doubting if your monstera plant is receiving enough light or the right light….take a chill pill! There are a few signs you can look for to tell if your monstera is getting enough light

• Deep green color on leaves
• Split leaves
• Aerial root growth
• Soil is consistently good moisture
• Consistent new growth
• Sharp clean edges on leaves
• No leaf spotting or yellowing
• Good stem health with no straw-like texture

FAQ

Does a Monstera need direct sunlight?

What type of light does a Monstera plant need? Monsteras need bright light but do not tolerate direct sunlight. They can survive in low light, but their growth will be inhibited. To grow a striking Monstera plant with the lacy leaves and the coloration you adore, provide it with good light.

Can Monstera survive in low light?

While Monsteras can tolerate low light, they won’t thrive in it. Low light can lead to slower growth and smaller leaves. It’s best to keep your Monstera in bright, indirect light for optimal health.

Should I put my Monstera by a window?

Next to, or close by, a South, Southwest, or West-facing window that has sheer curtains for some bright, indirect light (keep in mind, they cannot handle full sun so the curtains keep the leaves from getting burned by the sun) About 5-10ft away from a South, Southwest, or West-facing window without curtains.

Where is the best place to put a monstera plant?

Place your Monstera where it can receive medium to bright indirect light. While it is tolerant of lower light conditions, you may notice leggy growth, so a spot where it will receive bright indirect light a few feet removed from a southern, western, or eastern-facing window is ideal.

How do I know if my Monstera is getting too much light?

If the leaves on your monstera are curling at the ends or tips, this can be an early sign that the plant is getting too much sunlight or not enough water. Scorched leaves: Scorched marks or dry, patchy brown spots may mean your monstera is getting too much sunlight.

Can Monstera grow in a dark room?

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)

This is a special houseplant that everybody knows does not do well in the shade or a dark room. It needs lighting to maintain healthy growth and foliage.

Is morning sun ok for Monstera?

Your Monstera will perform best in bright to medium-bright indirect light. It can tolerate direct morning sun but avoid areas in which it will be exposed to harsh afternoon sun.

Now that you know what lighting conditions your monstera plant needs you can go grow your indoor jungle paradise! Check out more of our monstera tips and tricks!