If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately, you may have seen some gigantic Monstera Deliciosas. If you own a Monstera or are in the market for one, you probably have questions about what to expect from your plant, especially when it comes to its size.
How big do Monstera Deliciosas get? Indoors, mature Monsteras typically reach approximately eight feet in height and produce leaves that are up to two feet wide. In its native outdoor environment, these plants average heights of 12 feet tall, but have been known to grow up to 60 feet or more.
Monsteras can get big! And they grow fast, which makes them an awesome choice for a statement piece in your home. But will they get too big for your space? And is there anything you can do to get them where you want them to be quicker? Read on for those answers and more!
Monsteras In the Wild
Monstera Deliciosas are native to Central and South America and can be found growing as far north as Florida. They love hot temperatures and high humidity levels, and when conditions are perfect, they can grow to be what their name implies: a monster!
In the wild, Monsteras are epiphytes, meaning they spend most of their lives attached to another plant, which in most cases, is a tree. They grow several types of roots to support this process. Initially, their seed pods fall to the ground, and a seedling develops with an underground root system.
When Monsteras find a tree to climb, they start growing up and attaching with anchoring roots. Then, they develop aerial roots that can reach all the way to the ground, even if its 60 feet down.
The average Monstera Deliciosa is about 12-15 feet tall in nature. However, it is not uncommon to find one sprawling to heights of 60 feet or more as they reach up towards the top of trees. Their ability to climb allows them to get access to bright light while simultaneously keeping them shaded from the full intensity of direct light by the canopy of the trees.
When the conditions are right, the leaves of a Monstera can also grow to monster proportions. Outdoors, Monstera leaves can reach two to three feet across and can absolutely dwarf the indoor plants we all know and love.
How Big Will A Monstera Get Indoors?
Hopefully, your home does not have the same heat or humidity levels found in the Monstera Deliciosa’s natural habitat. And for that reason, they will not reach the same massive heights that they do when they’re outdoors.
In your home, you can expect your Monstera to reach a maximum height of about eight feet. Of course, some people can exceed that with the right conditions, but you should expect your mature plant to top out at the height of an average ceiling.
You should know that, to some degree, the height of your Monstera Deliciosa will depend on you. To encourage your plant to reach its fullest potential, you’ll need to provide it with the right size container, the right care, and a stake, moss pole or trellis to climb. For more information on training Monsteras to climb, click here.
When picking the best location for your Monstera, give it an area with room to grow, as the mature leaves can often reach two feet in width. Position the plant in a part of the room that gets plenty of indirect sunlight. Too much or too little light will prevent your plant from growing to its fullest.
If you live in a small space and are concerned about Monstera becoming too big, you can trim the leaves and display them in a clear glass vase. Yearly pruning back of the roots can help to slow growth as well.
Are Monsteras Fast Growing?
When it comes to Monsteras and whether or not they grow quickly, the answer is: it depends. The speed at which your Monstera grows depends on your plant’s environment, whether you give it exactly what it needs, and what you mean by the term “quick.”
With proper care, you can expect your Monstera Deliciosa to grow one to two feet each year. That means it could take years for the plant to reach its full height and size. There are things you can do to encourage your Monstera to grow bigger faster, but we will get to that shortly.
How Long Do Monsteras Live?
I get this question a lot about plants. People want to know how long it will live, which is understandable. But the answer to that question is almost always: as long as you continue to care for it.
In the wild, Monsteras may encounter pests, animals, or weather that harm the plant and eventually lead to its demise. But indoors, where we can control the conditions, a Monstera can keep growing and growing and growing.
To keep a Monstera thriving, you’ll need to make sure you meet its needs. These plants aren’t picky, but there are a few things that you must do from time to time to keep it happy and healthy.
The most important aspect of healthy Monsteras is watering habits. These plants like to be thoroughly watered and then allowed to dry out. For that reason, they shouldn’t be watered on a schedule but rather should be given more water once the top inch or two of soil is dry. Overwatering Monsteras is the quickest way to end the otherwise long life of this plant.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that the light you’re providing your Monstera mimics its natural habitat. Remember, in nature, Monsteras grow and climb up towards the sunlight but are always shaded by the canopy of the forest. That means they need lots of bright, indirect light but should never be exposed to the sun’s full intensity. Try to find a spot near a bright south-facing window. Notice that I said “near” and not “in.” Your Monstera should be pulled back from the window a few feet to protect it from direct light.
Once every year or two, you’ll need to move your Monstera up to the next size pot. These plants have large, quick-growing root systems and will need to continue to spread out underground. If you want them to thrive for years to come, transplanting every other year is a must.
Lastly, be sure to keep an eye out for pests. Monstera Deliciosa is, unfortunately, susceptible to several types of pests. Examine your plant once a month for signs of unwanted insects and if you find them, take action quickly to keep your plant healthy.
Tips For Growing Bigger Monstera Deliciosas
If you have a Monstera Delciosa at home that you feel is not growing as big, or as quickly as you’d like, there are a few things you can do to encourage it to speed up.
UP THE HUMIDITY
Monsteras are native to very humid environments and are happiest when the levels mimic what they would receive in the wild. Levels of 50% or more are best for most tropical plants. Consider adding a humidifier to the area nearby your Monstera. For information on the humidifiers I use and love, click here.
FERTILIZE REGULARLY
The potting soil your Monstera is planted in was most likely fortified with nutrients initially. However, after a plant has lived in the same soil for more than six months, most of those nutrients are depleted. For that reason, fertilize your Monstera Deliciosa with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month during the growing season. To read about fertilizing Monstera Deliciosas, click here.
ADD A GROW LIGHT
If you live in a home where your Monstera doesn’t have access to bright enough, indirect light, add a grow light to the mix. Grow lights are bulbs that mimic the full spectrum of the sun and make an excellent substitute for the real thing. Placing a grow light above your Monstera and setting it to automatically turn off and on with an outlet timer is a great way to boost your plant’s ability to grow.
LET IT CLIMB
Remember that Monsteras are, by nature, climbers. Plants that have the ability to climb indoors are often the biggest. Add a trellis, stake, or moss pole to your plant and start training it to grow upwards. This will result in the healthiest Monstera you can have.
Growing Healthy and Happy Monsteras
In my experience, the healthiest and happiest indoor Monsteras are the ones that have the environment most similar to their natural habitat. While we cannot replicate outdoor conditions, we can get close indoors. By tweaking a few small things, you can give your Monstera Deliciosa everything it needs to reach the sky…or at least the ceiling.