The Monstera deliciosa, often called the Swiss Cheese Plant for its uniquely perforated leaves, is a fixture in modern indoor gardening. It is a tropical plant known for its vigorous, relatively fast growth. Stalled growth is defined by a lack of new leaves, a significant reduction in foliage size, or the absence of characteristic leaf splits (fenestrations). When a plant ceases its upward trajectory, it signals that environmental or resource needs are not being met. Pinpointing the cause requires a systematic diagnostic approach focusing on the external environment, soil conditions, and root system constraints.
Insufficient Light and Environmental Stress
Many people assume a Monstera is a low-light plant because it can tolerate dimmer conditions, but this is distinct from actively thriving. To support the rapid production of large, split leaves, the plant requires bright, indirect light for a minimum of five to eight hours daily. The energy captured fuels photosynthesis, and a deficit results in the plant conserving resources by slowing or stopping all new growth.
Ambient temperature plays a significant role in a Monstera’s metabolic rate. These tropical arums prefer temperatures consistently between 65°F and 85°F. If the temperature drops below 60°F, the plant enters a survival mode, dramatically slowing its growth as a defense mechanism against cold stress. Placing the plant near a drafty window or an air conditioning vent can create localized cold spots that inhibit growth, even if the rest of the room is warm.
High humidity from their native rainforest environment is a factor in producing large, healthy leaves. Monstera plants thrive best when the relative humidity is around 60%, which is significantly higher than the average home environment. Low humidity can cause new leaves to struggle to unfurl, resulting in damaged or smaller foliage, and it impedes the development of the plant’s aerial roots. To increase the moisture immediately surrounding the plant, you can use an electric humidifier or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot bottom does not sit directly in the water.
Root Health and Nutrient Depletion
The health of the root system is directly linked to the moisture level and composition of the potting mix. Improper watering is perhaps the most common reason for a sudden halt in growth, particularly overwatering, which leads to root rot. Root rot occurs when the soil remains saturated, suffocating the roots and allowing destructive anaerobic bacteria and fungi to proliferate. The plant will appear wilted or stunted because the damaged roots cannot absorb water or nutrients.
A healthy Monstera requires a well-draining, airy substrate that mimics the chunky material found on the forest floor. A dense, heavy potting soil will compact easily, retain too much moisture, and restrict the necessary oxygen flow to the roots. Creating an appropriate aroid mix involves amending standard potting soil with materials like orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir to ensure rapid drainage and aeration. Allowing the top two to three inches of soil to dry out completely between thorough waterings provides the ideal balance of moisture and oxygen for the roots.
Even with perfect watering, a plant’s growth will stall if the soil has become depleted of resources, as container-grown plants quickly exhaust nutrients during the active growing season. Monsteras are foliage-heavy plants, meaning they have a high requirement for Nitrogen to support leaf and stem growth. A lack of this nutrient manifests as slow growth, smaller leaves, or an overall yellowing of the older foliage. Regular fertilization every two to four weeks during the spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer with a high nitrogen ratio, such as 3-1-2, provides the necessary fuel for vigorous growth.
Physical Constraints and Seasonal Dormancy
If environmental conditions and nutrient levels seem correct, the physical space available to the plant’s root system may be causing the slowdown. Monsteras do not prefer to be severely root-bound, as this state limits their ability to absorb water and nutrients, effectively stopping new growth. Signs that the plant is pot-bound include roots protruding from the drainage holes, a dense mat of roots visible on the soil surface, or the soil drying out completely within a day or two of watering.
When a plant becomes severely root-bound, the energy that would typically be used for producing new leaves is diverted entirely to maintaining the overcrowded root mass. To resolve this, the plant needs to be repotted into a container that is only one to two inches larger in diameter than its current pot. Moving to a pot that is too large can hold excessive moisture, increasing the risk of root rot and further stalling growth as the plant prioritizes filling the new space with roots before producing foliage.
Another common explanation for slowed growth is the plant’s natural biological cycle, known as seasonal dormancy. As a tropical species, the Monstera’s growth is heavily influenced by light duration and intensity; during the winter months, when daylight hours are shorter, the plant naturally enters a period of rest. Growth will slow significantly or stop entirely, even in a warm indoor environment, as the plant conserves energy. During this dormant phase, it is important to reduce the frequency of watering and cease all fertilization until the plant signals the return of its active growing season in spring.