Discover the Mistakes that Stop Your Monstera from Getting Fenestration, which is the most notable feature of this beautiful plant.
Do you have a Swiss cheese plant with leaves that don’t have any holes or splits yet? Keep reading to learn why that happens and when you might see those famous holes appear.
The Monstera deliciosa has long, strange-looking aerial roots, but its most famous feature is its big leaves with deep splits and holes.
One big reason the Swiss cheese plant is so popular (especially on Instagram) is its unique leaves, and it’s also pretty easy to care for.
But not all monstera leaves have holes or splits. This often makes new plant owners worry they’re doing something wrong.
If you’re going through this right now, don’t worry – you’re not alone. It’s totally normal for a monstera plant to have leaves without splits, and it’s not always because of how you care for it.
If you’re asking why your monstera leaves aren’t splitting and want to know how to help your plant grow split leaves, keep reading to learn all the important facts.
Why do Monstera leaves have Fenestration?
Before we look at why your monstera’s leaves aren’t splitting, let’s first understand why monsteras have holes in their leaves at all.
In the wild, Monstera deliciosa grows in the warm, shady rainforests of Central and South America. There, it uses its long aerial roots to climb trees and reach sunlight that doesn’t make it to the forest floor. Experts believe that the splits in the leaves help the plant get more light, too.
“Monstera leaves split on their own to let light pass through to the lower leaves,”. The splits also help the plant stand up better to strong winds.
What are the splits in monstera leaves called?
The gaps in a monstera’s leaves are usually called splits or holes, but the real name for them is ‘fenestrations’.
When do monstera leaves split?
Let’s get to the point: the main reason your monstera’s leaves aren’t splitting yet is because the plant is still young or small.
Like other plants in the Araceae family, monsteras change as they grow. At first, they have small, heart-shaped leaves (like a pothos), but as they get older, they grow larger leaves with more and more splits.
If your monstera is still young, you mostly just have to wait for it to grow. A healthy monstera usually starts growing split leaves when it’s around two or three years old.
In case you don’t want to wait that long, you can buy a mature monstera online or from a nearby plant shop.
How to get monstera leaves to split
Age is the main reason a monstera might not have split leaves, but it’s not the only reason. If your plant is over two or three years old and still has no splits, it might be time to check how you’re caring for it.
“Keeping your monstera healthy is important if you want it to grow split leaves. “Make sure it gets enough light and water so it can grow big and strong. That’s when new leaves will start to have holes.”
You can help your monstera grow by cutting off the smaller leaves, which can make room for bigger ones.
To help it grow faster, you can also use fertiliser every other time you water it and check if it needs a bigger pot.
Mistakes that Stop Your Monstera from Getting Fenestration
Not Enough Light
Monsteras need bright, indirect sunlight. If they don’t get enough light, they won’t grow large, mature leaves with splits.
Underwatering or Overwatering
Inconsistent watering can stress the plant. Both dry soil and soggy roots can slow growth and prevent fenestration.
No Fertilizer
Without nutrients, your monstera may grow slowly and produce only small, plain leaves. Use a balanced fertilizer regularly during the growing season.
Pot is Too Small
If your monstera has outgrown its pot, the roots don’t have space to spread. This limits growth and prevents new split leaves from forming.
It’s Still Too Young
Young monsteras naturally have whole, heart-shaped leaves. Expect fenestrations to appear when the plant is 2–3 years old.
Lack of Humidity
Monsteras come from humid tropical forests. Dry indoor air can slow down leaf development. They do better with higher humidity.
Not Enough Support
In nature, monsteras climb trees. Without a moss pole or support, they may stay small and won’t develop those iconic split leaves.
Skipping Pruning
Allowing small leaves to remain on the plant can slow things down. Pruning old or small leaves can encourage new, larger growth.
