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Monstera plants are known for their striking, split leaves and vibrant green color. But sometimes, they don’t look as healthy as they should. If you’ve noticed changes in your Monstera and are wondering if it needs more light, you’re in the right place.
Light plays a crucial role in keeping your Monstera happy and thriving. In this article, we’ll go over the key signs that indicate your Monstera needs more light, so you can make sure it stays healthy and full of life.
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Leggy growth is when your Monstera plant grows tall and spindly, with long stems and fewer leaves. This happens because the plant is trying to reach for more light.
When light is insufficient, it stretches itself out, hoping to find a better source. This results in weak, elongated stems with leaves that are spaced far apart. If you notice your Monstera looking lanky, it’s a sure sign that it needs more bright, indirect sunlight to grow healthy and full.
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Take a close look at the spacing along your Monstera’s stem. If there are unusually long stretches of bare stem between each leaf, the plant is telling you something important.
These gaps are called internodes, and they naturally widen when a Monstera isn’t getting enough light. The plant puts all its energy into reaching toward brightness rather than filling out with foliage. A healthy Monstera in good light produces leaves that are relatively close together along the stem.
You can’t shrink internodes once they’ve stretched, but you can prevent future ones from getting too wide. Move the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light, and new growth should come in tighter and more compact.
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Midjourney
If your Monstera’s leaves are coming in smaller than usual and look pale, it’s likely not getting enough light. Low light can stunt the growth of new leaves, causing them to be smaller and less vibrant than healthy ones.
The pale color happens because the plant can’t produce enough chlorophyll without adequate light. This makes the leaves lighter in color. To fix this, try moving your Monstera closer to a window where it can get more indirect sunlight.
If you’re considering rotating your plant to even out its growth, take a look at our guide to Symmetrical vs. Natural: The Pros and Cons of Rotating Your Monstera.
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One of the most beloved features of a Monstera is its fenestrations, those iconic holes or splits in the leaves. If your Monstera isn’t developing fenestrations on its new growth, it’s a sign that it needs more light.
Without enough light, the plant doesn’t have the energy to produce these characteristic splits. Young plants might take some time to develop fenestrations, but if a mature plant is lacking them, increasing the light exposure can help encourage this beautiful feature.
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If you have a variegated Monstera (like an Albo or Thai Constellation), fading variegation is one of the clearest signals that your plant needs more light. Those creamy white or yellow patches on the leaves depend on the plant having enough energy to “afford” tissue that doesn’t photosynthesize.
When light drops too low, the plant compensates by producing more chlorophyll. New leaves may come in almost entirely green, with very little of the variegation that made you fall in love with the plant in the first place.
Variegated varieties generally need a bit more light than standard green Monsteras. A spot near a bright east-facing or filtered south-facing window usually does the trick.
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If your Monstera seems to be growing very slowly or not at all, it might not be getting enough light. Light is crucial for photosynthesis, which provides the energy a plant needs to grow.
Without sufficient light, your Monstera’s growth will slow down or stop altogether. This can make your plant look dull and unchanging. To boost growth, place your Monstera in a brighter spot with indirect light, which will help it thrive and grow faster.
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Here’s a sign that surprises most plant owners. If your Monstera’s soil is still damp more than ten days after watering, insufficient light could be the culprit.
Sunlight helps plants use water efficiently through transpiration. In low-light conditions, this process slows down considerably, leaving the soil soggy for longer than it should be. Persistently wet soil can then lead to root rot, compounding the problem.
If you notice the soil staying wet and your Monstera is in a dim corner, try relocating it before you adjust your watering schedule. Better light often solves the moisture issue on its own.
See more: 5 Reasons Your Monstera’s Aerial Roots Need Trimming (And The Right Way To Do It)
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When a Monstera‘s leaves are all leaning dramatically toward one side, it’s a clear sign the plant is craving more light. Plants naturally grow toward their light source, but if your Monstera is leaning heavily, it’s not getting enough light where it is.
This uneven growth is called phototropism. To fix this, rotate your plant regularly or move it to a spot with more consistent, indirect light so it can grow evenly.
Did You Know? Monsteras are native to tropical rainforests in Central America and Mexico, where they climb trees to reach filtered sunlight through the canopy. In your home, east-facing windows often provide the closest match to these natural conditions.
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Dark green, droopy leaves can indicate that your Monstera is not getting enough light. When light levels are too low, the plant’s leaves may become darker as it struggles to produce enough energy.
The droopiness happens because the plant is conserving energy, which makes it appear limp. To help your Monstera perk up, move it to a spot with better light, but avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.
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A Monstera that’s stressed from low light becomes much more vulnerable to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and fungus gnats. Healthy plants produce natural defenses against insects, but a light-deprived plant simply doesn’t have the energy to keep up.
Fungus gnats are especially common in this scenario. They thrive in soil that stays moist too long, which (as we covered above) is itself a symptom of too little light. If you’re battling recurring pest problems despite treating them, the root cause may be your plant’s location rather than the bugs themselves.
Improving your Monstera’s light exposure can help it bounce back and build up its natural resistance again.
If your Monstera seems stuck and you’re waiting on new growth, you might find these 5 Tips for Impatient Plant Parents on Speeding Up Monstera Leaf Unfurling helpful.
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If the lower leaves of your Monstera are turning yellow, it could be a sign of insufficient light. When a plant doesn’t get enough light, it prioritizes newer growth and lets the older leaves die off, which often results in yellowing.
This is the plant’s way of conserving energy. If you see yellowing on the lower leaves, try moving your Monstera to a brighter location to give it the light it needs to stay healthy.
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If you’ve noticed any of these signs, don’t worry. Your Monstera can bounce back with the right care. Increasing the amount of indirect light your plant receives can make a big difference.
Find a bright spot near a window, but keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent burning the leaves. With more light, your Monstera will start to grow strong, lush leaves again, full of those beautiful fenestrations we all love.
A little light adjustment goes a long way in keeping your Monstera healthy and thriving.
