How to Grow a Large Monstera Plant: Tips and Tricks

Written by August Croft
Published: November 19, 2022
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If you are interested in how to grow a large monstera, there are a few tips and tricks for you to try. Iconic and popular for their large foliage and air-purifying abilities, monsteras are one of the most widely distributed houseplants around the world. However, what can you do to help your monstera thrive, including helping it produce large and impressive leaves? 

When it comes to how to grow a large monstera, you should ensure that you are mimicking its natural habitat as much as possible. Whether you grow your monstera outdoors or indoors, they require bright, indirect light, plenty of water, and some level of support. if properly cared for, your monstera can reach up to 10 feet when grown indoors and well over 20 feet when grown outdoors

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about growing large and impressive monstera plants. We will give you tips as to how to best accomplish this, whether you want to grow your monstera outdoors or indoors. Let’s get started and talk all about the split-leaf philodendron or the Swiss cheese plant, also known as the monstera! 

Grow a Large Monstera

When it comes to how to grow a large monstera, you should ensure that you are mimicking its natural habitat as much as possible.

©Francois Louw/Shutterstock.com

How Large Can Monsteras Get?

Depending on the overall health of your monstera as well as where it is placed, monsteras can reach anywhere from 4 to 10 feet tall when grown indoors. If you live in a region that supports growing a monstera outdoors, they can reach immense heights, frequently over 10 feet tall. Some specimens even reach over 50 feet tall when properly supported and left to their own devices outdoors! 

Grow a Large Monstera: Light is Key

Grow a Large Monstera

Proper watering of your monstera is key to its overall survival.

©ArtBackground/Shutterstock.com

When it comes to growing a large monstera, you need to make sure that it gets an adequate amount of light. Monsteras grow as understory plants in their natural environment, which means that they prefer some level of shade or filtered light. If your monstera is grown in bright and harsh light, you can damage its leaves and restrain its growth. Finding a sweet spot, whether in your backyard or in your own home for your monstera to remain, is the first step! 

Grow a Large Monstera: Water and Humidity Matters

Proper watering of your monstera is key to its overall survival. Too much water is one of the primary killers of any houseplant, but particularly monsteras. Their roots require soil that is actively moist, but not drenched. Additionally, you should make sure that your monstera dries out a little before watering again. Humidity is also key to the overall happiness of your monstera. Regular misting or supplying a humidifier is a good idea.

Grow a Large Monstera: Make Sure to Support It

Grow a Large Monstera

Some popular monstera support structures include moss poles and wood trellises.

©Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock.com

Monstera plants reach such immense sizes due to their vining nature and ability to climb. If you want to grow a particularly large and impressive monstera houseplant, providing it with some support and structure will help it thrive. Some popular monstera support structures include moss poles and wood trellises. Monstera plants produce aerial roots that allow them to lightly cling to many different types of structures!

Grow a Large Monstera: Repot When the Time is Right

Knowing when to repot your monstera will help you grow a large and impressive specimen. Time of year is key to repotting any houseplants. This is true even for ones that don’t actively engage with outdoor temperatures and seasonal qualities. If your monstera is growing roots out of the bottom of the pot that it is in, or perhaps gathering its roots at the bottom of its container, it’s time to give it a new home! You can choose to repot your monstera in a slightly larger pot. You can even choose a pot that is 2 times larger than its current home. Avoid repotting it in something too large. 

Grow a Large Monstera: Keep It Warm

Grow a Large Monstera

With the temperature in mind, something you might consider doing in order to promote growth in your monstera is to let it live outdoors during the summertime.

©Isabella Wand/Shutterstock.com

Given the fact that monstera plants are native to Central and South America, they are used to a certain temperature. Keeping your monstera indoors means that you need to keep it warmer than you might expect. Ideal temperatures for the average monstera species range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some monstera types need to be kept warmer, so make sure that you are aware of this. 

With the temperature in mind, something you might consider doing in order to promote growth in your monstera is to let it live outdoors during the summertime. Even when kept in a container, monsteras enjoy having the option to experience actual outdoor temperatures and weather conditions. They particularly enjoy warm breezes and fresh rainfall! 

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Firn/Shutterstock.com


Sources

  1. The importance of sunflecks for forest understory plants, Available here: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1311725
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About the Author

August Croft is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on astrology, symbolism, and gardening. August has been writing a variety of content for over 4 years and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater from Southern Oregon University, which they earned in 2014. They are currently working toward a professional certification in astrology and chart reading. A resident of Oregon, August enjoys playwriting, craft beer, and cooking seasonal recipes for their friends and high school sweetheart.

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