Giant Monstera plants are a wonder to see, and they are on most houseplant enthusiasts’ list of plants they just have to have. Monsteras can actually grow quite large, especially in their natural habitat in more temperate climates. As a houseplant, it can still grow fairly large as long as you give it an ideal environment to grow in.
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How Big Does Monstera Grow?
The size of a Monstera plant is largely determined by the variety of Monstera that you have as well as the pot it is grown in. A small pot will limit the growth of the roots, leading to a smaller plant. For a giant Monstera plant, you will need a very large pot.
The biggest varieties of Monstera’s are the Monstera acacoyaguensis, Monstera epipremnoides, and the Monstera esqueleto. There are other large varieties of Monstera, but to increase your chances of growing a huge Monstera plant, stick with these varieties and you’ll definitely get a big plant. Monstera deliciosa is also a rather large variety, and it is the most common Monstera variety as a houseplant, so if you find this variety in your local store I would definitely grab it!
Monstera plants can grow to be very large, and they grow very fast, so be sure to give them plenty of room to spread out. If you are growing them indoors, make sure you have enough space for them to reach their full potential, and keep in mind that you may be repotting your plant at least once a year for it to achieve maximum indoor height.
Height & Spread
These impressive plants can reach heights of up to 20 feet in their natural habitat, sometimes even taller when growing in perfect conditions. They’re not shy about spreading out, either. A single stem can produce several large leaves, each one up to two feet wide! So if you’re looking to make a statement with your houseplant collection, a Monstera is the way to go.
When keeping your plant indoors, you can expect to see total growth up to 10 feet high, with leaves that can grow to be a whole foot wide in some cases. The overall spread of the plant can reach between 3-5 feet wide when kept inside. In the wild, this plant can easily reach 8 feet wide!
Leaf Size
As the name suggests, giant Monstera plants have large leaves. The average leaf size for these plants is about 12 inches (30 cm) long and 6 inches (15 cm) wide. However, some individual leaves can grow up to 24 inches (60 cm) long and 12 inches (30 cm) wide.
The large leaves of giant Monstera plants are one of the things that make them so popular. These plants are often used as decorative pieces in homes and offices because their leaves add a touch of elegance to any space. Additionally, the large leaves help to filter light and create a more relaxed atmosphere.
Growth Rate
Monstera plants can grow relatively quickly when given the right conditions. In ideal conditions, a Monstera plant can grow up to 3 feet in a single growing season. This means that if you start with a small plant, you could have a giant one in just a few years!
Even though it has an amazing growth rate, Monstera plant growth can be very unpredictable. If you don’t give your plant the perfect conditions, it may not grow at all. Or, it may only grow a few inches in a single season. So, if you’re looking to grow a giant Monstera plant, be prepared to give it everything it needs to thrive!
Growing Huge Monstera
To grow a giant Monstera, you’ll need to provide your plant with ideal growing conditions. Although this is a plant that loves to grow, when not given the right conditions, it may only give you a few inches of growth per growing season. Talk about a finicky plant!
You’ll also need to provide regular doses of fertilizer and water. Aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy and fertilize every two weeks during the growing season.
If you want your Monstera to really thrive, give it a little extra attention during the summer months. This is when the plant does most of its growth, so make sure it has access to plenty of sunlight and water. With a little TLC, your Monstera will soon be reaching for the sky!
Pot Size
Monsteras can grow up to three feet wide, so many people will suggest getting your Monstera a pot that is about 18 inches. But when they are just baby plants, you don’t want to give them a pot that is too big. While it’s tempting to want to get the pot that your plant is going to live in permanently from the moment you bring it home, it’s important not to.
If you place your Monstera in a pot that is way too big for it, you run the risk of over-watering your plant simply because the plant is not big enough to use all the water in a large container. It is highly suggested that you only go up in container size about 2-3 inches each time you repot your Monstera. It could take a while to get your baby Monstera to its forever pot, but your plant will be much happier by using this method, and you significantly reduce the risk of root rot and other diseases developing and seriously harming your plant.
The ideal pot size for a mature Monstera plant is 12-18 inches in diameter. This allows the roots plenty of room to grow without being constricted and provides enough space for the plant to put out new leaves and vines. If you’re unsure what size pot to use, err on the side of larger rather than smaller.
Adequate Light
It is important to provide your Monstera plant with adequate light in order to encourage growth. Monstera plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, so a spot near a window is ideal. If you cannot provide enough natural light, you can supplement with grow lights. Be sure to give your plant enough light each day, as too little light will cause the leaves to droop and the plant to become stunted.
During mild weather, you can even place your Monstera outside for a couple of hours per day, away from direct sunlight, of course. This would help your plant grow even faster as well.
Soil Conditions
When it comes to soil, Monstera plants are not too picky. In fact, they will even thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. All that is really required is that the soil be well-draining and moist.
That said, if you want your Monstera to grow as much as it possibly can, you should consider giving it high-quality Monstera plant soil. While they will grow in less-than-ideal soil, giving the plant everything it needs will ensure that the plant can put all of its energy into growing and not just simply surviving.
If you don’t have a Monstera specific soil, consider adding some organic matter to the soil. This could be in the form of compost, manure, or even just some dead leaves. This will help to improve drainage and aeration while also providing some essential nutrients.
Another good idea is to mix in some perlite or vermiculite. These materials help to lighten the soil and improve drainage. They also make it easier for roots to penetrate the soil and access water and nutrients.
Watering Large Monstera
Large Monstera plants need a lot of water, so it’s important to water them regularly. The best way to water a large Monstera plant is to water close to the soil with a gentle pressure hose or a watering can. This will allow you to control the amount of water that your plant gets.
You should water your plant at the base, making sure to evenly water all of the roots. If possible, try to avoid getting the leaves wet, as this can cause them to rot. Water your plant until the soil is moist but not soggy, and then allow the excess water to drain away. To ensure you are giving your plant the optimal amount of water, use a moisture meter between waterings and only water again when the plant needs it.
Fertilizing For Growth
Monstera’s thrive with a high-quality fertilizer that is specifically formulated to give the plant everything it needs, and providing these nutrients will help your Monstera grow quickly, and remain healthy for years. Using a regular fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season is just fine, but a better choice is our Monstera plant food that is formulated specifically for Monstera growth.
During colder months, don’t fertilize as often, since your plant will not be growing as vigorously. Giving your plant too much fertilizer could lead to fertilizer burn that could seriously harm your plant.
Control Temperature And Humidity
For optimal plant growth, keep your Monstera’s environment between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can definitely tolerate lower and higher temperatures, but it may prevent the plant from growing as quickly as it would otherwise be able to.
To control the temperature and humidity when growing giant Monstera plants, consider having a portable heater or fan near where your plant lives. You will also need to use a humidifier to maintain a humid environment for your plant. You can also mist the leaves of your plant daily to help increase humidity. Additionally, make sure to provide good ventilation for your plant by opening windows or using a fan.
Monstera plants are fairly tough when it comes to the environment they live in, but optimizing their environment will give you more growth from your plant than just giving it the bare minimum of what it needs to survive.
Supporting Giant Monstera
Monsteras are climbers by nature and love to wrap their aerial roots around something to climb. If you want your Monstera to reach its full potential, it’s important to provide some kind of support for it to cling to. Whichever support you choose, make sure it’s firmly anchored in the pot so that your Monstera doesn’t pull it over as it grows larger.
Types of Support
There is no one support that is perfect for your plant. It all depends on your room’s aesthetic, what’s readily available in your area, and what you prefer to use. A Monstera will use basically anything to climb up, but here are some of our top suggestions.
Moss Pole
A moss pole is essentially a round wire support filled with moss. Many house plant lovers consider this type of support to be best for Monsteras because it allows the plant to cling to it using aerial roots. It looks more natural than most types of supports, and it’s fairly easy to set up and maintain.
If you want to get a moss pole for your Monstera, keep in mind that the plant will continue to grow, possibly outgrowing the pole. If the aerial roots grow into the moss, it may be tricky to safely remove them to get a larger pole once it outgrows the current one.
Hanging Support
Hanging supports are also becoming fairly popular because it gives your space a different feel than a regular upward support for your plant. If you have your plant hanging from the ceiling or high up on a wall, you can easily train your Monstera stems to grow down along the wall using small hooks to support the stem in crucial spots. Just be sure not to create any pinch points in the stem, as that can quickly kill that stem and prevent any future growth.
Hanging support gives you the freedom to create different looks with your plant, so many people are loving this option.
Trellis
Trellises are a very popular option for supporting any large, vining plant. When choosing a trellis for your climbing plant, make sure to select one that is tall enough and has enough support to hold the plant’s weight. You’ll also want to consider the plant’s growth habit when selecting a trellis. For Monstera’s, you may need a rather large trellis. But it’s simple to switch out a trellis if you want to start with a smaller one and get larger ones as the plant grows.
Trellises are beneficial for most people because they are typically minimal looking, not taking away from the look of the plant, and there are many options to choose from.
How To Stop A Monstera From Leaning
A leaning Monstera is not a happy Monstera! There is a difference between the trailing vines going off the side of the pot and trailing out, and your plant just leaning over because it’s too heavy for its pot. Here are some quick things to check to figure out why your plant is leaning.
-First, check to see if your plant is getting enough light. If it’s not, it will lean towards the light in search of it. Make sure to give your Monstera bright, indirect light and it should start to stand up straighter.
-Secondly, take a look at your plant’s potting mix. If it’s too dense or compacted, this could be causing your Monstera to lean over. Repotting into a lighter, Monstera specific potting mix should help straighten things out.
-Finally, make sure you’re watering your Monstera evenly. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely or getting soggy – both can cause your plant to lean over.
Problems With Giant Monstera Plants
One of the most common problems with giant Monstera plants is that they are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. These include aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Root rot, crown rot, and stem rot can also affect them. If your plant is affected by any of these problems, it’s important to take care of the problem as soon as possible.
For a pest infestation, you can usually take care of the problem by applying neem oil as recommended on the bottle. You may need to consider a more intensive treatment if you have a big pest problem.
For diseases, it’s important to treat the plant as soon as possible. Take the plant away from any of your other house plants to make sure the disease doesn’t spread and begin looking for the specific cause. Root rot can be treated either by repotting or by performing root surgery to remove rotted root and then repotting in fresh soil. Crown rot and stem rot, you will need the help of a fungicide and pesticide. Treat all affected areas and keep the plant quarantined until it recovers.
A couple other common problems with Monstera plants are leggy plants and drooping leaves, each of which have their own causes and fixes.
Leggy Plants
Plants become “leggy” when they are not getting enough light. That is typically the only cause of a plant becoming leggy, and if not taken care of, it can lead to your plant’s stem growing so much that it can no longer support the weight of the leaves.
When it comes to leggy plants, there are a few things you can do to encourage growth. First, make sure your plant is getting enough light. If it’s not, it will stretch towards the light to get more. Second, fertilize regularly. This will give your plant the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy. Finally, don’t forget to prune! Regular pruning will encourage new growth and help your plant stay compact and bushy.
Drooping Leaves
One of the most common problems with Monstera plants is drooping leaves. Several factors can cause this, including too much sun, too little water, or even pests.
If you notice your Monstera’s leaves beginning to droop, the first thing you should do is check the soil. If the soil is dry, water your plant immediately. If the soil is wet, try to provide more light or move your plant to a brighter location. These are all fairly easy fixes and should get your plant looking more “awake” fairly quickly. If your plant isn’t recovering from droopy leaves after these quick fixes, inspect the plant further for any discoloration of the leaves or pests that may be harming your plant.
If you think pests may be causing your plant’s leaves to droop, inspect the plant carefully and look for any insects. If you find any pests, remove them from the plant and treat the plant with an insecticide according to the manufacturer’s directions.
FAQ Growing Large Monstera Plants
How long do Monstera plants live?
The answer is: it depends. Monstera plants can live for many years if they are well-cared for, but they can also die relatively quickly if they aren’t given the proper care. So, if you want your Monstera to have a long and healthy life, there are a few things you need to do.
Final Thoughts Growing Giant Monstera
Giant Monstera plants are on many house plant enthusiasts’ list of plants to add to their collection, simply because they are stunning house plants that can truly transform a space. To grow your own giant Monstera, just ensure all of the plant’s needs are met, and the environment is optimal for its growth. Keep in mind some of the basic care tips we’ve covered and go give it a try!
These plants are easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to any home. With a little patience and TLC, you can have a giant Monstera plant of your own. So what are you waiting for? Get growing!
Eager for More Monstera Knowledge?
We highly recommend our super informative (and FREE!) Ultimate Monstera Webinar. If you have questions or need support for your monstera, join our online community in our Monstera Plant Resource Group. And if you’re looking for handy go-to reference for all your houseplant needs, check out our The Last Houseplant Book You Will Ever Need.
Read our Ultimate Monstera Watering Guide here. Be sure to grab your essentials here: Monstera Plant Food, 3-in-1 Moisture Meter, Premium Potting Soil, Houseplant Leaf Armor (which protects your houseplant from bacteria, fungus, and insects—and also cleans and adds shine to its leaves!)
