Monstera Light Requirements - the Ultimate Guide 💡
Ever admired a Monstera Deliciosa?
They're internet favorites for a reason!
Growing one indoors? Lighting is key.
Too much sun? It burns. 🥵
Too little? It lags. 🌑
So where is the balance?
This Ultimate Guide has everything you need to know about Monstera Light Requirements.
It even has some advanced techniques to take your indoor plants game to the next level.
So keep reading! 👇
Understanding the Monstera: An Overview 👀
Origin and Popularity Features of Monstera
The Monstera plant is native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. It belongs to the Araceae family and is considered to be a part of the climbing evergreen vining plants family. In recent years, it has become a sought-after houseplant due to its beautiful leaves that grow to immense sizes. The popularity of the Monstera is mainly due to its striking leaves, which make them look perfect in any space at home or in the office.
Monstera Varieties
There are over 50 Monstera varieties available in the market today, each with slightly different features and characteristics. The most popular variety is the Monstera Deliciosa (aka "Swiss Cheese Plant"), which has vibrant green leaves with unique splits and holes.
Another popular variety is the Monstera Borsigiana, which is a smaller version of the Deliciosa and is easier to care for. The Monstera Obliqua, on the other hand, has smaller leaves with more extensive perforations, making it a highly sought after and rare plant.
Although there are numerous Monstera types available, they all share a common trait of being tropical plants and thus have similar light requirements that should mimic their natural habitat. Now, let's explore these requirements in more detail.
Understanding Monstera Light Needs 🤔
Photosynthesis Explained
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy to synthesize glucose and other carbohydrates. During photosynthesis, Monstera plants absorb light energy through pigments called chlorophyll, which are found in the leaves.
The Role of Chlorophyll in Light Absorption
Chlorophyll is critical to the process of photosynthesis, as it absorbs light in the blue and red spectrums, and directs that energy towards the plant’s metabolic processes. Without chlorophyll, photosynthesis cannot occur.
This process is essential for photosynthesis to be efficient. Chlorophyll also reflects light in the green spectrum, which is why plants appear green to us.
Understanding the significance of chlorophyll and its influence on the leaves' colors is very important. Some Monsteras species have leaves with white coloring, indicating lower chlorophyll content and therefore a greater need for light to produce energy.
Ideal Light Conditions
You probably have heard that Monstera needs lots of indirect bright light. But what does it mean in terms of the exact light exposure and how much light is enough light? Let's explore this further, diving into the details below.
Direct Sunlight
One mistake you should avoid is exposing Monstera to direct sunlight for extended periods. Too much sunlight causes the leaves to turn yellow and brown and can even damage them permanently.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, then placing your Monstera near to south facing window will expose it to too much sunlight and potentially cause its stress.
Positioning your Monstera plant near a west facing window could potentially lead to a sunburn too. Afternoon sun, particularly during spring and summer, can be significantly aggressive and burn Monstera leaves.
To protect your Monstera from a sunny window, you may want to hang a sheer curtain or relocate your Monstera a few feet into the room. These measures will help to reduce light intensity and you will be getting enough light for a healthy growth.
Bright Indirect Light
The ideal light condition for your Monstera is bright indirect sunlight. This means your Monstera is receiving light, but it's not directly exposed to sun's rays, especially during its peak intensity.
In the Northern Hemisphere, you can achieve this lighting condition by placing your Monstera near a east facing window. East facing windows will receive a few hours of the morning sun which is more gentle than in the evening and indirect bright light throughout the rest of the day.
Another option is to position your Monstera near west facing windows, as mentioned earlier. However, in the summer months, this placement may expose the plant to excessive direct light during the evening hours.
In such cases, it is advisable to take protective measures as described above. On the other hand, during fall and winter, you can confidently place your Monstera right by the window to ensure it receives enough sunlight without the dangerous intensity of the summer sun.
Low Light
Monstera can also survive in low light conditions, especially if it's a mature plant. However, note that this will probably show itself in slow growth and darker color of leaves.
North facing windows or a few feet into the room from a bright window will produce low light conditions for your Monstera. However, do not expose your Monstera to complete darkness as it can be detrimental to the plant’s health.
Common Mistakes and Solutions 🙅
Overexposure to Light
As we discussed above, Monstera plants require bright but indirect light, and too much direct sunlight can lead to irreparable damage. Signs that your plant is getting too much direct sunlight include brown, crispy leaves, and yellowing leaves.
To prevent your plant from suffering due to overexposure to light, consider moving it to a shadier spot or adding a sheer curtain to filter out the direct sunlight.
To provide optimal care for your Monstera, consider enhancing humidity levels and adjusting the watering schedule. In hot and dry environments, it is crucial to ensure ample watering to compensate for the conditions.
Insufficient Light Signs and Symptoms
While Monstera can grow in a low light environment, If the plant is not receiving sufficient light, it will reflect on its overall health. Here are some signs your Monstera needs more light:
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Firstly, the growth of the Monstera will noticeably slow down, compared to a healthy plant that receives adequate light. This can be observed by the reduced length of new stems and the overall lag in plant development
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Secondly, the leaves of the Monstera will lack the characteristic splits that are commonly seen in well-lit plants
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Lastly, the size of the leaves will be relatively small in comparison to a Monstera that receives optimal lighting
When your Monstera receives insufficient light, it doesn't have the energy to process all the water it's taking in, which can lead to overwatering. Therefore, you need to adjust the frequency of your watering schedule.
This doesn't mean that you should water the plant less, but you should water it less often. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and make sure that your plant is not sitting in water for too long. Overwatering can lead to root rot, another issue that can come from insufficient light
Photo by Sid Maia
Improving Light Conditions for your Monstera
Now we know how important light conditions are for your plant's growth and overall health. However, finding the perfect spot in your home where your Monstera can thrive may be challenging or sometimes not possible at all. That's where artificial lighting and a light meter come into play.
Using Artificial Lighting
When using artificial lighting, choose a light source that emulates natural sunlight. Full-spectrum LED lights or specialized grow light are popular choices among plant parents as they provide a wide range of wavelengths that mimic all the colors of natural light
Place the LED lights above your Monstera at a distance of 12-18 inches for 12-16 hours a day. This mimics the length of daylight hours in the summer, which is the optimal growth period for Monstera plants.
You don't have to rely solely on grow light to enhance your Monstera's light conditions. Natural sunlight and artificial lights can be used together to supplement each other. Place your Monstera near a window where it does enough bright light during the day and switch on your LED lights in the evening to provide consistent lighting. This creates a perfect balance of light conditions for your Monstera.
Using a Light Meter
Although lightmeters come in various types, ranging from simple to advanced, they all come in handy when you need to measure the intensity of light in a specific area. This is crucial as it can be challenging for us as human beings to understand whether Monstera is receiving excessive or insufficient light solely by relying on our visual perception.
To measure the light intensity for your Monstera, place the light meter in the area where your plant is situated and measure the light intensity. You can take a test around the noon time when the light is the brightest. Your light meter may have the capability to display the measurement in either foot-candles, lux, or even both. A Monstera plant typically needs a light intensity between 400-1,000 foot-candles or 4,000-10,000 lux for proper growth. It can also survive in 100 foot-candles or 1,000 lux, but won't thrive.
Combining Other Care Aspects with Light Requirements 🎓
Watering in Correlation with Light
Knowing how much water your Monstera plant needs is crucial to its health and growth. However, you need to pay close attention to how much light your plant receives to determine the right amount of water to give your plant.
If your Monstera is getting high intensity light, you should water it more often, while plants in low-light conditions will require less water.
When it comes to watering, make sure to give your plant a thorough soak and allow the soil to dry out before watering it again. Overwatering could lead to root rot and other issues.
Adjusting Care Routine Seasonally
Adjusting your care routine seasonally is crucial for the health and growth of your Monstera plant. In the winter, when light levels tend to be lower, your plant will require less water and fertilizer. You may also want to move your plant to a warmer and brighter location.
During the summer, when light levels are higher, you will need to increase watering and fertilization. Additionally, you may want to give your plant some extra humidity in the form of a humidifier or pebble tray.
Learn more about proper watering for Monstera plants by reading this informative guide.
Conclusion
So as you can see, taking good care of your Monstera depends on understanding the light requirements of this popular and beautiful plant. Experiment with different light conditions to achieve lush growth, and keep an eye out for signs of overexposure or insufficient light.
Creating ideal lighting conditions is essential in cultivating a strong houseplant that will last for years - consider using artificial lighting to further enhance its vibrancy!
With proper care, your Monstera will no doubt thrive and be the centerpiece of your home garden.
Why not get started now? 🌿
