Monstera plants are a favored choice among indoor plant enthusiasts due to their distinctive, fenestrated foliage. However, they often exhibit sideways growth in a home environment, which can confuse new plant parents. This guide explores the reasons for this growth pattern and offers strategies to encourage upright development.
Understanding Sideways Growth
Monstera plants are naturally vining epiphytes, growing on other plants like trees in their native rainforests. They use aerial roots to attach and climb upwards for sunlight. Without a suitable indoor structure, a Monstera’s vining habit causes it to spread outwards or grow sideways, seeking something to anchor onto.
Phototropism, the plant’s natural tendency to grow towards a light source, significantly contributes to sideways growth. If a Monstera receives light primarily from one direction, it will lean and stretch its stems and leaves towards that light, resulting in an asymmetrical appearance. While seedlings grow towards darkness to find a host tree, mature plants seek brighter conditions. Without adequate, evenly distributed light, the plant will contort itself to maximize light exposure. This, combined with a lack of proper support, can make the plant top-heavy and unstable, exacerbating sideways growth as it seeks stability.
Addressing Sideways Growth
If a Monstera has developed a sideways growth habit, providing proper support is a primary step to encourage vertical development. Moss poles, coir poles, or sturdy plant stakes are effective options, mimicking the trees the plant climbs in its natural habitat. To install a moss or coir pole, soak it until moist, then insert the un-mossed end deeply into the pot near the main stem, ensuring stability without damaging roots. For stakes, push them firmly into the soil near the plant’s base.
Once support is in place, gently guide the Monstera’s main stem and outward-growing vines towards the pole or stake. Secure stems using soft plant ties, garden twine, or fabric strips. Ties should be firm enough to hold the plant without constricting growth or damaging the stem. As the plant grows, its aerial roots may attach to a moist moss or coir pole, providing additional natural support.
Correcting light imbalance is another important measure. If the Monstera leans towards a window, reposition it to receive bright, indirect light from a more balanced direction. Supplementing with a grow light can help if natural light is insufficient, promoting uniform growth. Strategic pruning can also reshape the plant by removing overly long or errant stems. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut just above a node, encouraging new growth from that point for better shape control.
Preventing Future Sideways Growth
Implementing support early in a Monstera’s life prevents sideways growth and encourages an upright form. Installing a moss pole or stake when the plant is young allows it to establish vertical growth from the beginning. This early support guides the plant’s natural climbing tendencies upwards, fostering larger, more mature leaves.
Consistent and balanced light exposure is essential for symmetrical growth. Place the Monstera in a location receiving bright, indirect light from all sides, or regularly rotate the plant. Rotating the plant every few weeks by a quarter turn ensures all parts receive adequate light, preventing excessive leaning towards a single source. This distributes light evenly, promoting balanced growth.
Beyond initial setup, ongoing training benefits long-term vertical growth. As new stems emerge, gently tie them to the support structure, guiding their upward trajectory. This regular attention reinforces the desired growth pattern and prevents new growth from sprawling outwards. Maintaining consistent moisture in moss or coir poles through regular misting also encourages aerial roots to attach, further stabilizing the plant as it matures.