The Monstera plant, most commonly Monstera deliciosa, is a popular houseplant recognized for its large, fenestrated leaves. In its native tropical environment, this plant is a hemiepiphyte, meaning it begins rooted in the soil but quickly climbs up larger trees. This natural vining behavior explains why many indoor Monsteras begin to lean or grow sideways once they reach a certain size. Understanding this inherent growth habit is the first step in correcting the plant’s trajectory indoors.
Diagnosing Why Your Monstera is Leaning
A Monstera growing horizontally instead of vertically typically stems from two primary issues: light availability or lack of structural support. Phototropism, the plant’s instinctual movement toward light, is a common cause. If light comes predominantly from one direction, the stem stretches excessively toward it, causing the plant to lean and develop an elongated, weak structure called etiolation.
The second reason for sideways growth is the absence of an anchor point for the plant’s aerial roots. As an epiphyte, the Monstera is programmed to climb, using its aerial roots to adhere to rough surfaces. Without a suitable vertical surface, the main stem lacks the necessary support to hold its increasing weight and slumps under the load of its heavy leaves. Identifying whether the lean is a light-seeking stretch or a structural collapse is necessary before implementing a solution.
Implementing Vertical Support Systems
Providing a suitable vertical support system is the most effective long-term solution for encouraging upright growth and mimicking the plant’s natural habitat. The moss pole is the superior option for Monsteras because it allows the plant to anchor itself biologically. A high-quality moss pole offers a rough, moisture-retentive surface that the aerial roots can penetrate and grip, providing stability.
To install the support, gently guide the main stem to stand parallel against the pole, ensuring the pole is firmly inserted into the potting medium near the center of the pot. Align the back of the stem, where the aerial roots emerge, directly against the moss. Use a soft material, such as Velcro plant ties or natural jute twine, to secure the stem at several points.
Avoid tying the petiole (the stalk connecting the leaf to the main stem), as this restricts leaf movement and causes damage. Instead, secure the main vine just below a node, the swollen area where a leaf and aerial root originate. Securing the stem this way directs the plant’s energy into attaching to the pole rather than relying solely on the ties.
The success of the moss pole depends on consistently keeping the sphagnum moss damp, which encourages the aerial roots to grow into the pole. Once the roots sense the moisture and penetrate the moss, they thicken and provide a self-sustaining anchor. This transforms the support from a temporary brace into a permanent, biologically integrated structure that promotes larger leaf growth.
Pruning and Reorienting Severe Growth
If the stem has grown severely bent and become woody (lignified), staking alone may not fully correct the plant’s shape. For these extreme sideways growers, corrective pruning can reset the growth pattern. Identify a healthy node on the main stem just behind the curved section and make a clean cut using sterilized shears.
This removes the undesirable growth and stimulates the plant to activate a dormant auxiliary bud at the node, producing a new, upright shoot. The removed section, if it contains several nodes, can often be propagated in water or soil to create a new, vertically-aligned plant. Pruning should be reserved for stubborn leaning stems that resist gentle re-training.
If the lean is moderate, simply rotating the plant’s pot is an effective, non-invasive alternative. By turning the plant 90 to 180 degrees, the existing growth is forced to re-orient itself as it attempts to grow toward the nearest light source. This technique uses the plant’s natural phototropism to gradually straighten the stem over several weeks.
Environmental Adjustments for Future Stability
Long-term stability requires creating an environment that minimizes the impulse to stretch sideways, starting with optimizing light placement. Position the Monstera where it receives bright, indirect light distributed evenly across its canopy, ideally from above or multiple directions.
Rotate the plant by a quarter turn every one to two weeks. This regular adjustment ensures all sides receive equal light exposure, preventing the stem from constantly bending toward a single point. Consistent rotation promotes balanced foliage and an upright growth habit.
Potting the plant in a container with a wide, heavy base also contributes to stability, especially after installing a tall support system. A heavy pot minimizes the risk of the structure tipping over as the plant gains height and weight. Remember to regularly mist or water the moss pole to maintain the moisture that secures the aerial roots.