Monstera plants growing with low light may seem like a diabolical issue. After all, Monstera originates from tropical regions and loves bright sunlight. This is a well-known fact of the Monstera.
So if you have low light indoors or want to grow your Monstera in a location of low light- you may feel worrisome.
I don’t blame you.
You are probably thinking- will low light stop Monstera growth? Or worse, will the plant die?
If these questions make you anxious, do not worry. There are ways to grow your Monstera in low light.
Let’s dive in.
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What is low light?
First, it is important to step back and understand what is ‘low light’. You may have read the term in a plant guide before, but… have you ever understood exactly what it means?
The thing is… it’s hard to put a definition to ‘what is low light’. I have struggled myself.
And I’m pretty sure you have as well.
Digging in, there may be a more simple way for this to make sense.
I compare ‘low’ light with ‘bright’ and ‘medium’ light- this helped me.
So…
Bright light is when nothing blocks the sun from hitting your potted plant. There are no curtains, blinds, trees or buildings blocking the light.
With medium, you may have two or more different things which block part of the sun.
But with low light, the plant receives no sunlight. The plant is normally several feet away from the sun. Low light does not mean there is no light in the room. With low light, you should still be able to read a book comfortably.
Can Monstera grow in low light?
Absolutely. A Monstera will grow.
They are outstanding plants in terms of resistance to dying. They are survivors and it will take a lot of severe damage to kill them.
But the drawback is- they will not blossom naturally and wildly as they can.
It’s like having a Ferrari and driving it 60mph.
But there are techniques to implement to make sure you do not shun its potential to grow large and beautifully crazy.
On a side note- if you plan to propagate a Monstera in low light- its a bad idea. A cutting will need a lot of bright light to grow. Low light will not be enough to let the cutting grow out.
How much light is best for a Monstera?
Monstera is a vine. It clings onto trees and rocks to climb higher and higher so light can hit them.
It is a natural behaviour of this plant to search for sunlight. And shows that without light, they will find it difficult to survive. Or they will survive but will have limited growth.
When you grow a Monstera, it’s simple. The more light that reaches the plant, the better.
Monstera originates from tropical regions. They love the sun and the heat. They will thrive if they have bright sun and warm temperatures.
However, avoid direct sunlight. This is important. Direct light will burn and scorch the leaves. They will turn brown/ yellow and will die if not dealt with.
What else can help Monstera grow in low light?
Simple care tips will be enough to keep your Monstera alive.
If there is dim light, the first option is to place the plant somewhere brighter.
A common example is to place your plant close to a window. This is the preferred place as the plant will receive an excellent source of bright but indirect sunlight.
But if you are growing your plant as a decorative element, design is important. There may be an area in the house where your Monstera looks perfect. But the downside is that this area has low light.
If you still want to go ahead, you can.
There are ways to keep your plant healthy and alive.
This includes:
Artificial light
You may have an ideal location to grow your Monstera, but the location is dark with very little sun.
Artificial lighting is a great option. It will give plenty of light to your plant. It will kind of compensate for natural light a Monstera will not receive.
LED bulbs or lamps are a good option. I would advise to use them in winter too.
Good Tip!
Place your light in angle to give a spot like effect to your plant. How cool will that look, eh?
High humidity
Monstera loves humidity. But growing a Monstera in low light will mean the plant will receive less humidity as well.
If you decide to grow in a low lit area, humidity becomes extra important to support the plant.
I would advise to invest in a dehumidifier to increase the humidity of areas close to the plant. A cheaper, simple option may be to place a tray of water close to the plant. The water will evaporate and thus increase the humidity of the air.
High temperature
Just like humidity, this is also vital for your plant. Dim areas are often colder. Your plant will most likely have this issue. If you decide to place your plant in low light, make sure to maintain the temperature.
Good Tip!
Good Tip- A heat lamp is a good option. Try not to place the Monstera plant close to a heater or fire.
Watering
Keep the water tepid. This is crucial.
Think about it, Monstera originates from warm climates. When it rains, the water is not too hot or cold.
When growing indoors, we should try to match this. Leave water overnight to allow the water to get to room temperature.
Fertilizer
It’s important to fertilise your Monstera at least once a month during growing seasons. Monstera is a large plant and will rely on all the extra nutrients and minerals to help.
But with low light, that extra help becomes even more significant.
With poor light, there is less photosynthesis and the plant will produce less energy relative to a plant with good light.
Hence, try your best to fertilise at least once a month, especially in the growing season.
Pests
With less light, your Monstera is more susceptible to diseases and pests. It cannot fight off infections.
Hence, use neem oil to clean your plant. It will keep pests away and kill off any potential diseases.
Keep dust off leaves
With low light, your plant is already suffering. Hence, try to keep your plant dust-free at all times. Dust will block sunlight from reaching your leaves.
Monstera is tough- do not worry
Buying a Monstera can be difficult. They are popular, in-demand and have become favourites amongst many planters. The last thing any of you will want is for you to place your plant somewhere for it to die.
You will be furious with yourself. If you are worried and anxious about the worst, you do not need to be.
Monstera is a tough plant and extremely hardy.
They probably won’t grow in no light nor thrive in low light, BUT they definitely will not die!
I love how they do so well to tolerate overwatering, underwatering, low humidity AND low light.
So a simple message- keep calm. Your plant will be just fine.
Low light problems
There are a couple of ’warning signs’ that your plant needs MORE LIGHT. Immediate action is necessary. Examples include:
Leggy plants
The plant looks etiolated. This is because the plant is trying its best to find more light. But overstretching causes the stem to become fragile.
Monstera leaves are big and heavy. The stem cannot take the weight and will eventually fall over.
Soil never dries
If you leave your Monstera in the shade or the corner of a house, you will find the soil doesn’t dry.
It will stay saturated. Hence, if you water the soil and it stays moist days after, the plant is not receiving enough light.
No fenestrated leaves
With mature Monstera plants (over three years old), when the top leaves get enough sunlight, they fenestrate to allow the lower leaves to receive sunlight.
This is what why Monstera leaves have holes and are known as swiss cheese-like plants.
Lack of light prevents fenestration, and this is a sign your plant needs more light.
Important– Young Monstera plants do not fenestrate regardless of how much light they receive.
If you see your Monstera leaves turning black, this could be due to a number of reasons. Check out my post: How to combat: Monstera leaves turning black if you need help.
No growth
If your plant does not grow, it most likely is because they do not receive enough light.
Indoor Monstera can grow up to 7 feet tall. They have gigantic, wild leaves as shown in the image above. It is worrisome if your plant shows no recent growth, considering its potential.
Before you panic, another factor that is important to growth is the season. If it is winter, the plant goes through a dormant period. It will not grow.
However, if it is spring/ summer, the plant will grow. If there is no growth, then the plant is not receiving enough light.
Remember! The key to growth is light.
Variegated Monstera in low light
A variegated Monstera is awesomely beautiful. But they need that extra bit of care when compared to a non-variegated Monstera.
Variegated Monstera has white/ yellow patches that have no chlorophyll. They already produce less energy. Hence, letting them grow in low light will mean they produce even less energy.
This is not good for the plant. Eventually, it will die.
Hence, avoid planting variegated Monstera in low light. If you can maintain good artificial lighting, humidity and fertiliser- then you can try BUT for beginners or newbies, don’t take that risk.
Final thoughts
If you want to grow your Monstera in low light… go for it. There is nothing against the books, nor is it an unlawful action against your plant.
But I warn you, your plant will have potential to grow but it will not thrive. Hence, the Monstera may not hit the bold, glossy colours and height you may expect.
But there are ways to improve this. Controlling simple measures such as temperature, humidity, extra light can play a big role in improving the growth of your Monstera.
So if you decide to grow the Monstera in a low lit area in the house- don’t feel guilty. Keep it there. The plant will be just fine.
Good Luck!
