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Kiersten Rankel
Kiersten lives in New Orleans, LA and graduated with her masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in 2019.
She has conducted or assisted on research studies covering trees such as the bald cypress, swamp maple, and water tupelo, as well as important marsh grasses including Juncus, Spartina, and Phragmites.
Kiersten is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast.

4.7 out of 5 (192 experiences)


About Window Leaf
This species of Monstera is relatively rare in cultivation and is known for its enormous fenestrations 🪟. The holes in Monstera leaves let water drip close to the roots, and they absorb the scattered beams of sunlight that make it down through the forest canopy. Cuttings of this sought-after plant have sold for over $20,000 and and there have even been instances of cuttings being stolen from botanic gardens and institutions .
Taxonomy
Monstera obliqua
Monstera
Araceae
Alismatales
Also known as
Swiss Cheese Philodendron

How to care for Window Leaf
How often to water your Window Leaf

every 9
Window Leaf needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Finding light for Window Leaf in your home

a window
Window Leaf may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Window Leaf in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Window Leaf

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Window Leaf after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Black marks on my monstera leaves? Any idea of what’s going on here? Thank you!
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Monstera yellowing? Can please someone help me understand why my #MonsteraAdonsonii is yellowing and has burnt tips? It’s not in dire t sun, but gets lots of indirect light, South facing window at 2mt. Repotted it a few months ago because it was suffocating…
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Just trimmed a big bunch of leaves of my #MonsteraAdansonii, let’s see if I can grow some roots.. I am definitely giving some away. I put them in water, fingers crossed! I thing a good trim will do good to the plant, she was getting small and thin leaves lately… right? Any tip is welcomed 😊
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Black spots on my Monstera? I noticed these black spots on my Monstera leaf, it’s the only one. The other leaves have “usual” dead ends. Any idea what could be? Thanks!
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Struggling monstera I adopted this Monstera at the end of March and I had to repot it before Easter because it was suffocating and the roots were super long and all over the base of the pot! Now I can see she struggling a bit.. I have been giving her plant food twice now, anything else that might be happening? Thanks!
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Repotting the Monstera, hopefully she will recover! That’s why she was yellowing, she was suffocating!! Now the vase should be big enough 😂🌱💕💚 #Monstera #RootPorn #Growth
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Tell me what to do So I just unraveled and chopped my very long and stringy #WindowLeaf #Monstera. Now what. I’m overwhelmed lol second picture is what I cut off. #HappyPlants #NewGrowth #PropagationStation
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Help! Any idea whats wrong? some other leaves are turning yellow which i assumed was overwatering? #help #WindowLeaf
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Checkup on my Monstera? One of his new leaves completely withered off? And would it be a good idea to trim him?? I want him to get bushier than to grow out more just yet
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Why am I suddenly having yellow leaves? Is it the sun? I repotted this beauty about 3 months ago with fresh soil and a bigger pot. It was happy for the first month but now is struggling. In the last month, I started getting yellowing leaves (which I eventually remove) on the long tendril that runs across the table. But in the past week, the climbing vines on my moss poll are now yellowing too! The plant is now getting some direct sun (see photos) during the fall/winter mornings. I use a water aquameter to test when soil is truly dry so I don’t overwater. #Monstera #help #MonsteraMonday
Window Leaf is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
💦 Water Needs
Window Leaf prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
Window Leaf may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Window Leaf is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
💨 Humidity
Window Leaf prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
🪴 Soil
Window Leaf does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
💩 Fertilizer
Window Leaf should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
❄️ Dormancy
It’s common for Window Leaf to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
🌎 Native Region
Window Leaf is native to Central America.
🌸 Flowers
Yes, you may see your Window Leaf bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Window Leaf is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Window Leaf can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.
🌱 Propagation
Window Leaf can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
🍂 Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Window Leaf, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for Window Leaf
Window Leaf
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












This guy is super fun to watch grow. He puts out new leaves constantly. It’s a very decorative plant and you can twirl the vines up pipes and bookcases. He thrives in my west facing window. He gets about 1-3 hours of direct sunlight/day when the sun is setting.



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Greg’s plant care information is derived from first-principles biology and physics and supported by peer-reviewed research, academic institutions, and industry experts. We are committed to providing the highest-quality plant care information available, so if you have any concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to our support.
- Plants for a Future. “Plant Database.” pfaf.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
- Encyclopedia of Life. “Encyclopedia of Life.” eol.org. N.p., n.d. Web.