Hi! If you buy a monstera that already has split leaves, you can get away with lesser lighting than you would for a baby monstera. Whilst it’s pretty difficult to kill a Monstera, they also require specific conditions if you want them to grow super quickly. Here’s a grow bulb we like that works in most standard lamps and light fixtures. Young monsteras have solid, heart-shaped leaves, and they almost look like a different plant! Sign up for our free Ultimate Monstera Webinar. Even cooler? So, what happens when those leaves don’t wind up splitting? This was not understood for hundreds of years until genetic science was advanced enough, and Monsteras were originally considered Philodendrons as a result, despite not being the same thing. It’s not getting enough light; It’s not old enough; It doesn’t have the energy/resources; Read this post on providing the best conditions for your Monstera. I bought a monstera deliciosa plant just over 3 months ago, it was quite a small plant, but the seller told me the leaves would most likely start to form the splitting pattern within 2-3 weeks. As they develop, they acquire the characteristic perforations and split edges. But then again, it could just be very young. When a monstera is still maturing it can be common that it does not produce leaves that are split. However, other significant reasons can alter the growth of a monstera plant and make its leaves not to split. To further clarify what the above posters said, most resources say you won't get split leaves until the 2nd or often 3rd cycle of leaves (dying in the winter, and growing new ones) - so how old is your plant? With the correct care such as providing enough sunlight and water in time a monstera’s leave should all split. Your Monstera deliciosa is most likely still an adolescent. cefandl. Generally speaking, monsteras like temperatures within the 68°F to 86°F range. If your monstera plant is still fairly young and small, you may just need to give it time. They tend to get the hottest, direct afternoon light. Generally speaking, monstera plants are kept in large, more open areas of the home such as the living room. It’s just not the same! If you see yellow or brown leaves on your Monstera, you may be overwatering. Prune your Monstera regularly, clipping any dry or dead leaves. Common problems with Monsteras. Don’t worry. Their leaves, meanwhile, can get to be around two feet long. The whole process of propagating Monstera deliciosa, taking place over the course of six weeks. Because they have such vibrant, unique, heart-shaped leaves, they take time and proper care to bloom correctly. So what happens if your leaves aren’t splitting? Monstera plants need to have the proper amount of water, good lighting, and just a little bit of fertilizer to grow properly and develop those holes or splits that have become the trademark of the plant. As you can see, she's really leggy and droopy - when I got her, her leaves were pale green and some were yellow. In addition to making sure your monstera has an abundance of bright, indirect light, make sure you’re giving it the correct amount of water and. In addition to making sure your monstera has an abundance of bright, indirect light, make sure you’re giving it the correct amount of water and fertilizing regularly, especially during the spring and summer when monsteras are most likely to experience growth spurts. Why Is My Monstera Not Splitting? Be patient! Consequently, there won’t be any energy left to grow holes in all its leaves. Now I think I … Name: Lea UK. Brown leaves on a Monstera Deliciosa can be a sign of overwatering or lack of sunlight. Fenestration refers to the holes in mature Monstera leaves, and while a split-leaf Philodendron has, well, split-leaves, they lack fenestrations. The same goes for fertilizing. Even if you’re doing everything else right, your monstera leaves may not split without the right light. Happy planting! Your Monstera is probably has not aged yet or it does not get the proper care it need. Are you doomed to a boring, hole-less monstera forever? Help! So, if you have a young plant, have some patience and do what you need to and it should do just fine. Click to join our community on Facebook: Monstera Plant Resource Group. My last and final tip is a little odd and may come across as “woo-woo” to some, but I kind of believe in going above and beyond to add a little love to my plants, and Fran is no exception. However, there are some instances where your monstera may not be producing any splits or holes in its leaves. Not only that, they are meant to grab some of the few rays of light that make it through the thick forest canopy. Whilst not always the case, this often suggests that your monstera … There are things you can do if the leaves of your monstera haven’t split yet. It is especially important that these two factors are met during the spring and summer. Their uniquely shaped leaves not only look cool, they are meant to serve a very natural purpose. These plants can actually become monstrous in their own habitat. A photo would really help. But why is Your Monstera leaves not splitting? Lots of people call plants "split leaf Philodendron" that are not Philodendron at all.Some are Monstera species and do not develop the divided (fenestrate or pinnatified) leaves until they are very mature.If you are growing Philodendron bipinnatifidum (often called Philodendron selloum) it should have divided by now. My name is Lisa, and I’m on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. But if you have a young plant that you want to watch grow and mature, you’ll need good lighting. When you think of monsteras, you probably think of the characteristic leaf holes and perforations that set monsteras apart from other plants. The Practical Planter also participates in programs from ShareASale and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Monstera leaves may not split if they are too young or if the plant is not getting enough light. This is especially true if your monstera plant is still on the smaller, younger side. I've been wanting a Monstera deliciosa for ages so I was really excited. With good light, In most cases, this is the most important thing you can do to get your monstera leaves to split. If you live in a home without great lighting, don’t worry! A monstera plant without the holes just feels wrong. Looking to shop for plants online? The idea is to check out your monstera on a regular basis. All monstera leaves do not split. Happy growing! For these reasons, it only makes sense that it has earned the nickname “hurricane plant.”. The split-leaf philodendron (Monstera deliciosa), also known as the Swiss cheese plant, gets its name from the notches on its leaves. Make sure the soil isn’t too wet or too dry and be certain to pick a fertilizer that is compatible with the growth requirements for monsteras. While monsteras can definitely get by in lower light, they won’t grow much or develop many splits (or multiple rows of splits) without lots of bright, indirect sunlight. Read our Ultimate Monstera Watering Guide here. For the younger monsteras, proper lighting can make or break their growth. And leaves that won’t split is among the top complaints from new monstera owners. The interesting leaves change in appearance as the plant matures. You can buy grow bulbs or grow lights in your regular fixtures. Leaves turning yellow, brown, or black. I hope you find the information helpful. Even if you’re doing everything else right, your monstera leaves may not split without, While light is by far the most important factor in leaf-splitting, water and nutrients (aka fertilizer) also play a role. Don’t forget to check out our new web stories! We have found that if you trim off the older, smaller leaves which are come from the base, this will encourage the monstera to produce larger leaves, and facilitate fenestration. She sits close to a west-facing window, and gets watered once a week and misted once or twice between waterings. It can be a little tricky to find the right setting, but when you do, your monstera can become the focal point of that room. The Practical Planter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Plant parenthood is a journey, and learning to read your plant’s signals is just part of the adventure! In my experience, all you need to do is change up a couple of things to ensure the plant is getting all it needs. Also known as split leaf Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa has long been one of the most popular houseplants and it doesn’t look like it’s going to lose that top spot any time soon. An east-facing or south-facing window is best, but north can work as well. Press Esc to cancel. Their leaves, meanwhile, can get to be around two feet long. There are things you can do if the leaves of your monstera haven’t split yet. They actually purify the air in that room. It can be quite alarming seeing water droplets forming on the ends of your Monstera’s leaves when you’ve been so careful not to overwater it. Monstera Plant Food is the original fertilizer created specifically for monstera plants to help support healthy growth, dark green leaves, and protection against disease. Why is my Monstera not splitting? Monsteras do, and they are known for their huge aerial roots that cling to trees. This could also be an issue of too much water and not enough light — make sure your plant is getting the right ratio of each! lea11 Mar 2, 2019 5:59 PM CST . Indirect, bright sunlight is the best thing for monsteras and will help them get those splits that make them so unique. So what is the reason behind the leaves not splitting? With lots of sunlight, plenty of water, and adequate nutrients, you’ll have a beautiful monstera! About the Monstera. But in your home, they will generally top out at around eight feet or so. With good light, the right amount of water, and a little fertilizer, your monstera should grow and eventually develop those beautiful holes and splits on its own when it’s 2-3 years old. Some monsteras can reach up to 60 feet in height! Its leaves usually start to split after the plant is 2 years old and has receive proper lighting, watering and fertilizers. If you live in a home that doesn’t get a lot of natural light, that’s not a problem. Monstera Deliciosa develops brown leaves if it’s not grown in optimal conditions. They have huge, vibrantly green leaves that look like giant claws thanks to their split leaves. Without the proper drainage, water can build up in the soil and essentially rot the roots. As they get older, the leaves get bigger and split more. From time to time, you may notice that your monstera plant won’t develop the splits or holes that give it that signature look. Too much exposure to that kind of light can actually scorch the leaves. This could be a major reason why your monstera plant is not blooming the way it normally would. All monstera leaves do not split. In the cases where they are grown outdoors, it is important to know that frost will do them great harm. As Monstera deliciosa ages, the new leaves will have more and more fenestrations (holes) and slits among the leaves. But in your home, they will generally top out at around eight feet or so. As is the case with many other plants, improper watering can be a real growth deterrent. Young monsteras have solid, heart-shaped leaves, and they almost look like a different plant! Enough sunlight and adequate soil composition are the key ingredients that can make the monstera plant grow efficiently and split naturally. While monsteras can definitely get by in lower light, they won’t grow much or develop many splits (or multiple rows of splits) without lots of bright, indirect sunlight. If the leaves of your Monstera aren’t splitting, it usually comes down to two factors: the age of the plant and the volume of available sunlight. It can withstand low light too, but the leaves will not split. SHOP NOW. It is likely if your Monstera plant is young. There are a number of viable watering routines that can be used. It comes down to this: The better you can recreate your plant’s natural habitat, the healthier your plant will be, the more your plant will grow, and the more your leaves will split like they do in the wild. She does have some new smaller leaves off a node at the bottom of her trunk, but the rest of the leaves are from a different Monstera. This is when the monstera plant is the most likely to undergo a real spurt in growth. As is the case with most other plants, fluctuating temperatures can have a negative impact. I love monsteras and writing, so I created this site to combine my two passions. In most cases, this is the most important thing you can do to get your monstera leaves to split. Water. I water it weekly, or when it seems dry on the top inch or so. As they develop, they acquire the characteristic perforations and split edges. So while they are very, very similar in many ways, they are just different enough to not be considered the same thing. I’ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb. While monsteras can definitely get by in lower light, they won’t grow much or develop many splits (or multiple rows of splits) without lots of bright, indirect sunlight. Monstera deliciosa, sometimes called splitleaf philodendron, Swiss cheese, or window plant is not a true philodendron but a closely related species. So it can be really frustrating when your leaves won’t split! It strikes me that the leaves on yours look a bit small to be an actual Monstera deliciosa. You are wondering when do Monstera leaves split probably due to the fact you have one of these plants and its not producing its well known split leaf formation. It appears that yours has split leaves at the bottom, which may indicate that it was started from those split leaves. Lower light can work if you acquire a mature monstera with split leaves, especially if you don’t want it to get any bigger and take over your home (because monsteras tend to do that!). And then I let it dry completely in between waterings. Some monsteras can reach up to 60 feet in height! When I repotted I had to make the drainage holes myself in the new pot. As the plant matures, the newer leaves will slowly have more and more fenestrations. A lack of sunlight can also prevent Monsteras from producing fenestrations. So, if your monstera is struggling to really bloom, the biggest issue could be a lack of proper lighting. Requirements for Growing Monstera Deliciosa. Monstera plants under certain conditions can produce smaller leaves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Monstera is not a true philodendron but a closely related species. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If the humidity is low, Monstera leaves (& other aroid leaves) can pucker and tear, but that won't leave smooth leaves with neat-edged holes and splits. I have a Monstera Delicious that until lately seemed to be pretty healthy. Reasons for Monstera Leaves Not Splitting. Be wary of west-facing windows, though. Monstera leaves not splitting? As a matter of fact, monstera plants are one of the hottest houseplants out there right now. Monstera leaves usually don’t split until a plant is mature – which sometimes could take 2 years. If your plant is old enough for splitting, try putting it in an area where it will get more light. Keep in mind that after a leaf develops, it will not change. The leaves of splitleaf philodendron, Monstera deliciosa, change in appearance as the plant matures. It’s a common issue. Sometimes all your monstera plant needs is some time and patience. It grows quickly and full. I have another article about monstera splits HERE Many reasons can make a Monstera not to split. Young plants have leaves that are completely solid and that have no slits or holes. I do notice that it looks pretty cramped up in it's current pot, but I've read that they are kind of like goldfish. While light is by far the most important factor in leaf-splitting, water and nutrients (aka fertilizer) also play a role. This way, guests can admire their natural ambiance and their size doesn’t begin to feel overwhelming as it would in smaller spaces. They can also experience too much heat depending where in your home they are placed. This will provide greenhouse-style lighting that you would generally see in most nurseries. Using a hygrometer, measure the humidity at the plant’s split leaves, then search for a spot in your home with greater humidity. Other reasons behind brown leaves are low humidity, underwatering, or diseases. It’s not very big, two split leaves, two non split leaves, and a tiny unfurling leaf that is taking a really long time. This will keep the leaves shiny, and also help the plant soak in more light. 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