Is Your Home Too Dark for a Monstera? How to Tell & What To Do

That is a very common concern! Monsteras are often sold as "low-light tolerant," but they truly thrive in bright, indirect light.¹ A truly dark home will cause them to struggle and look sad over time.

Here is a guide on how to tell if your home is too dark for your Monstera and what you can do to fix it.

🧐 Is Your Home Too Dark for a Monstera?

Monsteras grow in the filtered light under the canopy of large trees in the jungle.² They need bright light, but not harsh, direct sun.³

🛑 Signs Your Monstera Needs More Light

If you notice any of these signs, your plant is likely starving for light:

Sign	Why It Happens
No New Fenestrations	The iconic splits and holes (fenestrations) are the plant's way of directing light to lower leaves. If it's too dark, the plant skips this process and produces solid leaves to capture maximum surface area.
Small, Pale New Leaves	New growth is noticeably smaller than old growth. The leaves may be a pale or washed-out green color, as the plant can't produce enough chlorophyll.
"Leggy" or Sparse Growth	The plant stretches, causing long gaps between the nodes (where leaves emerge) as it desperately tries to reach a light source. It looks straggly rather than bushy.
Leaning Heavily	Your plant will grow dramatically in one direction, leaning hard toward the nearest window or light source.
Slow or Stalled Growth	If it's the growing season (spring/summer) and you haven't seen a new leaf in months, the lack of energy from light has put it in survival mode.
Soil Stays Wet	Light and warmth help the plant use water efficiently. If the soil takes over 10-14 days to dry out, a lack of light is likely contributing to the problem, risking root rot.

✅ How to Assess Your Light Level

You don't need fancy equipment to tell if a spot is "bright, indirect light."

1. Do the Hand Shadow Test:

   • Place your hand a foot or two above where the Monstera's leaves would sit.

   • If the shadow your hand casts is soft, blurred, and faint, the light is good (Bright, Indirect Light).

   • If there is no shadow or the shadow is extremely faint/barely visible, the spot is too dark (Low Light).

   • If the shadow is sharp and clearly defined, the light is too intense (Direct Light - move it back or filter it).

     
     

2. Look at Window Direction:

   • East Window: Ideal morning light (gentle, bright).⁴

     
     

   • West Window: Good, but afternoon light can be harsh—use a sheer curtain or move the plant back a few feet.⁵

     
     

   • South Window: Very bright, often too intense. Always filter with a sheer curtain or place the plant 5+ feet away.⁶

     
     

   • North Window: Usually too dark for a Monstera to thrive, but they can survive if placed right against the window.

     
     

🛠️ What To Do If Your Home Is Too Dark

If you've determined your Monstera isn't getting enough light, you have two primary solutions:

1. Relocate the Plant

The simplest solution is to find the brightest spot you have.

• Move it Closer: Even 1-2 feet closer to a window can double the amount of light your plant receives.

• Rotate Weekly: If the plant is leaning, rotate it a quarter turn every time you water it. This encourages even, upright growth.

• Move to a Brighter Room: If your current room is truly a cave, move the plant to a brighter area, like a living room or a kitchen with a good window.

2. Add Supplemental Light (Grow Lights)

This is the best long-term solution for dark apartments or rooms without sufficient windows.

• Type: Look for Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights. These mimic natural daylight and are very energy efficient.⁷

  
  

• Format:

  • Clip-On: Small, flexible lights that clip to a shelf or the edge of the pot. Great for small or young plants.

  • Floor Lamps/Bulbs: You can replace a standard light bulb in an existing floor lamp with an LED grow light bulb and position the lamp over or near the Monstera.

  • Hanging/Pendant: More powerful options that hang from the ceiling for large, mature plants.

• Schedule: Provide the light for 10-14 hours per day, typically using a simple timer.⁸ Place the light about 12-18 inches above the highest leaves.⁹