Let’s set the scene- you are scrolling on Pinterest and something amazing catches your eye. It’s a monstera but it’s bigger than dresser? A giant and thriving monstera is nothing short of majestic. At least in my plant obsessed mind. So if you’re wondering how is that possible indoors? What can I do to make my little monstera look like that? Am I going to go insane trying to achieve it?
Well I can’t really answer the last one with 100% certainty but I can tell you there are changes you can make to how you grow your monstera that will allow it to THRIVE and become the biggest, most stunning version of herself.
So let’s get into it so we can all start having that “holy crap” worthy monstera in our homes!
How Can I Make My Monstera Bigger?!
Tips for growing a large and full monstera plant:
Monstera tip 1: Give It More Light
One of the biggest reasons your monstera might not be growing as big as you’d like is that it’s not getting enough light. Monsteras are tropical plants, which means they thrive in bright, indirect light so basically, they want to be near a window but not roasting in direct sun all day.
If your monstera is sitting in a dim corner of your apartment, it’s probably feeling a little uninspired. Without enough light, it won’t grow as fast, and its leaves won’t get those beautiful splits (fenestrations) that make monsteras so stunning.
But also if it’s too close to a light source especially one that gets alllll the sunshine it can basically get sun burnt on the leaves and will need way too much water and nutrients to thrive so instead it’s just trying to survive.
But it’s not a lost cause, here is what to do:
- Move your plant closer to a window, a spot with lots of filtered light is best.
- If you don’t have great natural light, consider a grow light. Your monstera will love you for it. Oh and get a tall one if a big monstera is your goal- here’s one I love!
- Rotate it every few weeks so it doesn’t start leaning dramatically toward the light like it’s reaching for salvation.
Monstera tip 2: Water It (But Not Like You’re Trying to Drown It!!)
Monsteras like their soil to stay slightly moist but never soggy. If you’re overwatering, you’ll get yellowing leaves, sad looking and feeling roots and overall a very unhappy plant. If you’re under watering, your monstera will grow slowly, look a little crispy and they are dramatic so they will guilt you into feeling like a bad plant parent 😦
The actual steps that this means:
- Check the soil before watering. Stick your finger about two inches deep (or about to the middle knuckle!) if it’s dry, water it. If it’s still damp, wait a few days! Trust me that monsteras can handle less rather than too much water but striking that balance in the middle is how they will THRIVE.
- Water thoroughly, but make sure the excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Monsteras hate sitting in water.
- Use filtered or dechlorinated water if possible, because they can be a little sensitive to tap water chemicals.
Monstera tip 3: Don’t forget to feed her!
If you want big, beautiful leaves, you need to feed your monstera. Just like you wouldn’t expect to get muscles at the gym without eating enough protein, you can’t expect your plant to get huge without the right nutrients.
What to do:
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (like 20-20-20 or 10-10-10) once a month during spring and summer.
- But also approach with caution- Don’t overdo it because too much fertilizer can burn the roots and cause more harm than good. Less is more.
- Stop fertilizing in the winter, because monsteras like to take a break when it’s colder. Generally winter time is plant hibernation season!
Monstera tip 4: Give It a Bigger Home
If your monstera has been sitting in the same pot for over a year, it might be root-bound, which means its roots are all tangled up and have nowhere to grow. That’s a problem if you want it to get bigger and in general for the long term health of the monstera too.
What to do:
- Check if the roots are coming out of the drainage holes because if they are, it’s DEFINITELY time for a bigger pot.
- Repot it in a pot that’s 1-2 inches larger in diameter (don’t go too big, or it’ll struggle to absorb water properly).
- Use a well-draining soil mix while repotting, a mix of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark is perfect for monsteras!
This was my star monstera back in 2022 getting repotted into her current pot- honestly I am avoiding going bigger for now because we are renting again and planning to buy a house in 2025 and she is already insanely heavy!!
Monstera tip 5: Train the growth direction
Monsteras are climbing plants in the wild, which means they love to grow upward rather than just out. If you give them something to climb, they’ll reward you with larger, more fenestrated leaves.
How to train them:
- Get a moss pole, trellis, or bamboo stake and gently attach the vines to it with soft plant ties.
- Mist the moss pole occasionally so the roots can attach and feel at home with its rainforest ancestry.
- If you prefer a wild, sprawling look, you can let your monstera trail instead, but don’t expect those big, mature leaves as quickly.
Monstera tip 6: Keep It Warm and Humid
Monsteras are tropical plants, so if your home is too dry or too cold, they won’t be as happy—or as big. If your monstera looks a little sad in the winter, it’s probably missing humidity and warmth.
What to do:
- Keep the temperature between 65-85°F because monsteras hate the cold.
- Boost humidity with a humidifier, misting or really commit with a pebble tray.
- Avoid placing it near drafty windows, air conditioners or heaters that could stress it out.
Monstera tip 7: Give It Some Tough Love aka Prune and Propagate
Pruning might seem counterproductive when you want your monstera to grow bigger, but trimming off dead, damaged or even the smaller leaves helps redirect energy to the healthiest parts of the plant.
What to do:
- Use sharp, clean scissors to cut off yellow or dying leaves.
- If your monstera is getting too leggy, snip off a few long stems and propagate them.
- Place cuttings in water or soil, and soon you’ll have even more monsteras to love (or give away to friends lol I think my friends are actually tired of the monstera and pothos propagation gifts).
Monstera tip 8: Be Patient as Growth Takes Time
Lastly…. patience (like in most situations) is key!
Monsteras grow faster in spring and summer and slow down in the winter, so don’t panic if you don’t see instant results. If you’re giving it good light, water, nutrients, and a climbing pole, it will reward you with new leaves over time.
Every new leaf is a small victory, so celebrate those little unfurling moments and trust that your monstera is doing its best.
Let’s wrap it up-
If you want your monstera to grow bigger, the key is to treat it like the diva it is. Give it plenty of light, proper watering, a nutritious diet, room to grow, something to climb, and a little patience, and it’ll reward you with massive AND gorgeous leaves that make your space feel like a tropical paradise.
And that is all for now folks!
But if you can’t tell I am obsessed with monsteras and have a bunch of additional resources and guides for this stunning plant that I recommend checking out next if you are still looking for more monstera guidance! They are linked right below-
Talk Plant To Me
If you enjoyed this article on How Can I Make My Monstera Bigger?! then you probably (hopefully!) will enjoy and find these articles helpful as well:
| Talk Plant To Me | 