Keywords: monstera growing too tall, leggy monstera, monstera growing straight up, monstera light deficiency, reshaping indoor plants
🌱A Monstera Growing Straight Up Is Crying for Help
“This is my first Monstera. It was only 80cm when I bought it. Now it’s just shooting straight up, unlike the wide, bushy ones I see online. What should I do?”
This is a common concern from plant beginners—and if your Monstera is growing fast, tall, but skinny, it’s likely a sign that your care routine or environment needs adjusting.
🌿Why Is Your Monstera Growing Leggy and Upright?
“Leggy” growth is a plant’s natural survival mechanism to reach for more light. The most common causes include:
☀️ 1. Insufficient Light
While Monsteras are shade-tolerant, placing them too far from windows or in dark corners will lead them to stretch upward in search of light.
🌳 2. No Support to Climb
In the wild, Monsteras use trees for support. Without anything to cling to indoors, they often grow straight up with little structure or stability.
🪴 3. Pot Is Too Small
Limited root space and poor nutrient supply can affect the plant’s ability to grow robust stems and branches.
✂️ 4. Lack of Pruning
Without occasional trimming, a Monstera tends to grow from a single shoot, missing the chance to branch out.
✅ 5 Tips to Help Your Monstera Grow Healthier and Fuller
1️⃣ Provide Bright Natural Light or Supplemental LED Grow Light
Place your Monstera near an east- or south-facing window. If your room lacks natural light, use an LED grow light like GLOWRIUM, which provides 8 hours of daily full-spectrum light to prevent legginess and mimic natural sunlight.
2️⃣ Add a Moss Pole or Climbing Support
Give your Monstera something to “cling to.” It will start developing aerial roots and fuller leaves when it has vertical support to grow on.
3️⃣ Prune the Top to Encourage Side Growth
Cutting the top node stimulates side shoots and promotes a wider growth pattern. Bonus: You can propagate the cutting in water.
4️⃣ Repot Into a Larger Pot With Nutrient-Rich Soil
Repot once a year to ensure the roots have space and access to fresh nutrients. Use a well-draining, airy mix.
5️⃣ Maintain Balanced Watering and Fertilization
Check soil moisture before each watering to avoid root rot. Use indoor foliage plant fertilizer monthly to support healthy leaf growth.
💡Pro Tip: Choose the Right Grow Light
Choosing a high-quality grow light is key to correcting leggy growth:
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✅ Full-spectrum LEDs
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✅ Adjustable brightness & timing
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✅ No blue light damage (eye-safe)
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✅ Smart APP control for easy scheduling
We recommend GLOWRIUM LED Plant Light Series — designed for indoor plant lovers looking for both performance and style.
🌿Final Thought: Change the Environment, Not Just the Pot
The way your Monstera grows is a reflection of how it’s being cared for. Give it a more “natural” growing environment, and it will reward you with lush, sculptural foliage. Don’t give up—every plant has the potential to thrive with a few small changes. All it takes is noticing the signs and responding with care.
