Monstera is not progressing
I’ve had this #Monstera for a couple months but haven’t seen any new growth. I’ve actually had to trim a few leaves as they yellow, droop, and ultimately dry out. I currently keep this plant ~6ft away from a south(ish) facing window with lots of indirect light throughout the day (in CA Bay Area, if that makes a difference). Any tips to stimulate the growth and health of my plant would be greatly welcome!!
I have several plants - mostly pothos, peace lily, and snake plants - and this is my only plant not showing new growth :(
I have several plants - mostly pothos, peace lily, and snake plants - and this is my only plant not showing new growth :(
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@RootedChives87 ok they need really chunky, airy soil. Lots of bark and perlite and some soil. Also do a monstera fertilizer I just do the slow release kind of thing
@user141fc969 the one with the one and only fenestration? Was there when I got the plant! My understanding is that indicates this leaf is older…
@RootedChives87 wow interesting mine usually start lighter green and glossy, real soft, and then get harder and darker green
@RootedChives87 Mine loves bright indirect light. I would think that it is too far away from the window. I would try moving it closer but not allowing it receive any direct sunlight. I was taught to get down on the same level of the plant and look up, if you can’t see the sky, ur plant isn’t getting enough light. Good Luck! 🪴🌸
@Ponytailmom , since I have added the amazing new grow lights all of my plants are growing much faster again. 🌱🌞💡We have new leaves all over the place here!
@user141fc969 @RootedChives87 I second the soil change. Repot in the same pot just change the soil. If the soil is compact and holding moisture for too long itll cause root rot. Also chunky mix allows roots to get more oxygen which promotes growth. Also watering until 50-70% dry. I use the weight method to know when to water, the app gives you a routine that, in my experience, is asking me to water too soon. I use a 1:1 ratio with indoor potting mix and perlite as I cant seem to find orchid bark near me. Hope to see growth soon!
Monsteras are aroids. Get it out of that home depot peat crap and put it in an aroid soil mix. Thats your problem with growth. That soil holds too much water as its too organic and made for greenhouses. Your home is not a greenhouse and it is basically smothering the roots of your plant. It needs a soil with plenty of bark, perlite, charcoal, and lava rocks, along with a little bit of earthworm castings for nutrients. You should also be feeding your monstera a quarter diluted liquid fertilizer everytime you water instead of full strength fertilizer once a month during spring-fall. Monsteras have thick roots that need to breathe and that soil doesn't allow it in a home environment. Its too organic for a in home monstera, or even outdoor monstera. They live on forest floors and trying to mimic their natural environment is best for them and thats bark, wood chips, and perlite just breaks up the soil so the roots can breathe. Charcoal improves water retention, neutralizes acidity, and creates a healthy microbial habitat, and traps vital nutrients for the plant. Earthworm castings is a great organic slow release fertilizer that feeds your monstera over time, and also creates moisture retention as well.
That pot is too large for the size of the plants in there… monstera like a snug pot, and if they have too much room they are easier to rot (because it takes them longer to dry out their soil, during which they can rot from wet feet) and they will focus a lot of their energy on root growth instead of foliage.
Can you expand on what you mean by no growth? One of those leaves looks very light and shiny, like it unfurled recently and hasn’t hardened yet. It is normal for a monstera to suck the energy out of its oldest leaves and use the nutrients to power new leaves, but it should not happen every time it puts out a new leaf; if you are cutting leaves before they are fully yellow and dry that can set back its growth, and if you are losing one or more leaves every time a new one grows there is probably some nutrient scarcity that is causing it to cannibalize its leaves prematurely (so it may need new soil and some fertilizer).
I would recommend repotting in something that is not much larger than the collective root balls of those plants (30-50% smaller pot) and give it some fertilizer; it’s also possible that its roots are currently rotting bc it’s so overpotted and it’s just getting a lot of its water from the SF humidity (bc it looks a bit floppy and splaying even though the nodes are close together which implies the light is likely ok). You do not need a moss pole even in inconsistent humidity, let alone a place like SF (so save your money on that, they are an expensive maintenance burden and can get pretty gross…. They just need to feel they are touching something (however lightly) to grow straighter, I personally use garden stakes that interlock into a ring around the plant that I got for like $10 on Amazon).
Can you expand on what you mean by no growth? One of those leaves looks very light and shiny, like it unfurled recently and hasn’t hardened yet. It is normal for a monstera to suck the energy out of its oldest leaves and use the nutrients to power new leaves, but it should not happen every time it puts out a new leaf; if you are cutting leaves before they are fully yellow and dry that can set back its growth, and if you are losing one or more leaves every time a new one grows there is probably some nutrient scarcity that is causing it to cannibalize its leaves prematurely (so it may need new soil and some fertilizer).
I would recommend repotting in something that is not much larger than the collective root balls of those plants (30-50% smaller pot) and give it some fertilizer; it’s also possible that its roots are currently rotting bc it’s so overpotted and it’s just getting a lot of its water from the SF humidity (bc it looks a bit floppy and splaying even though the nodes are close together which implies the light is likely ok). You do not need a moss pole even in inconsistent humidity, let alone a place like SF (so save your money on that, they are an expensive maintenance burden and can get pretty gross…. They just need to feel they are touching something (however lightly) to grow straighter, I personally use garden stakes that interlock into a ring around the plant that I got for like $10 on Amazon).
@NoteworthyMum27 that pot is already much too large for monstera of that size. If they can’t dry out quickly enough they are prone to rot, and even if you are sparse enough with the watering to not rot it in that size pot it will focus on root growth instead of foliage because it has way too much space — they like to be relatively root bound and you generally don’t want to give them more than 2 inches larger than the root ball
@DaringColtsfoot off topic but that room looks so cool