Proper lighting is absolutely essential for a thriving Monstera. If you get it wrong your plant will struggle at best and potentially even die on you.
But Monsteras can be pretty forgiving, especially if you notice they’re unhappy quickly. And lighting is where most people go wrong. I’ve seen countless sad, leggy Monsteras stretching desperately toward windows to get more light. And just as many scorched from too much direct sun.
Getting the light right isn’t rocket science but it does mean you have to understand what a Monstera really needs.
So I’m going to going through everything you need to know about lighting your Monstera properly. From understanding the natural light positions in your home to helping with grow lights if they’re needed as well as signs to watch for and solutions to the main lighting problems.
Understanding Monstera’s Natural Light Preferences
Let’s start with what Monsteras like in their natural habitat. They grow on the forest floor and climb up trees in tropical rainforests of Central and South America. This tells us something important: they’re used to bright, dappled light filtering through the trees. But not intense, direct sunlight all day.
Copying this “bright indirect light” is the best way to grow a happy, healthy Monstera.
What “Bright Indirect Light” Actually Means
I’ll be honest, when I got my first Monstera I had no clue what “bright indirect light” actually meant. It’s one of those terms plant people throw around that can be a bit confusing.
Here’s what it means in practical terms: your Monstera should be in a spot where it can “see the sky”. But at the same time it shouldn’t be getting blasted by direct sun for more than 2 to 3 hours (preferably in the morning).
Look for a spot near a window with a sheer curtain, maybe a few feet away from an uncovered window, or in a bright room where direct sun doesn’t reach.
I put one of my first Monstera in my south facing kitchen window. Within days its leaves had developed yellow patches and brown crispy edges. A clear reminder that the right light is very important.
Signs Your Monstera Is Getting Too Much Light
Your Monstera will tell you if it’s getting sunburned. Watch for these warning signs:
- Yellow or pale patches on leaves (often looks bleached)
- Brown, crispy edges and tips
- Leaves curling inward
- Drooping despite adequate water
- Leaves feeling hot to the touch during peak sun hours
One thing to keep in mind is that your Monstera can be exposed to too much light without you necessarily realizing. Years ago I noticed my Monstera developing yellow patches even though it wasn’t directly in a window.
To my surprise it turned out light was reflecting off my neighbor’s new white siding and creating a hotspot right on my plant. All I had to do was move it three feet to the left and that was the issue solved.
Signs Your Monstera Needs More Light
Just as common as too much light is not enough. Monsteras will stretch and strain when they need more light, as well as giving off other clear signs:
- Long spaces between leaves (leggy growth)
- Smaller new leaves compared to older ones
- New leaves with fewer or no fenestrations/holes
- Leaning dramatically toward light sources
- Slow or stunted growth
- Dull, darker green coloration
The Best Light Directions for Your Monstera
A windows isn’t just a window, even more so when it comes to houseplants. So choosing the right place and facing window is going to have a big impact on your Monstera.
East Facing Windows
Going by the success of my Monsteras east facing windows are absolutely perfect for them. You’ll get gentle morning sunlight for a few hours and then bright indirect light for the rest of the day. That works well for Monstera because it copies their natural environment.
The morning sun is less intense than afternoon sun so it’s less likely to burn your plant and will still provide beneficial direct light. Putting my Monstera about 2 to 3 feet from an east facing window ended up with them having the largest leaves with plenty of holes.
North Facing Windows
North facing windows get the least light (in the Northern hemisphere, at least) and generally provide gentle indirect light all day. This can work for Monsteras but you’ll need to place it quite close to the window (about 1 to 2 feet).
My north facing bathroom has a Monstera that does reasonably well but its noticeable that it grows slower than the others. If north is your only option then you could use a grow light during the winter months if you notice leggy growth.
South Facing Windows:
South facing windows receive the most intense light throughout the day. This will usually be too much for a Monstera. However, you can you some precautions if you have no other options. I’ve successfully grown Monsteras in south facing rooms by:
- Placing the plant 4 to 6 feet away from the window
- Using sheer curtains to diffuse the light
- Positioning it where direct beams won’t hit the leaves
The advantage of south facing rooms is that they tend to maintain good brightness even when the plant is further from the window. This gives you more flexibility with where you place it.
West Facing Windows
West windows get a lot of intense afternoon sun which is both the hottest and harshest of the day. If you’re not very careful then this will quickly burn Monstera leaves.
I tried putting a Monstera in the window of my west facing living room and it needed some experimentation:
- Keeping the plant at least 5 to 6 feet from the window
- Using blinds during peak afternoon hours (2 to 5pm)
- Using nearby furniture to create partial shade
A clever trick that’s worked for me is putting a taller plant (so something like a fiddle leaf fig) between my Monstera and the west window. Basically you’re using the other plant to create some natural dappled shade.
Seasonal Light Changes: Why They Matter
Light levels change a lot with the seasons. So you’ll need to adjust with them. What was working perfectly in summer will leave your plant needing a lot more light in the winter.
Winter Light Challenges
During the winter months the sun is lower in the sky, the days are shorter and the light intensity is a lot weaker. This means:
- Your Monstera might need to be moved closer to windows
- Plants that were fine year round might suddenly need grow light support
- Growth will naturally slow (this is normal, don’t overcompensate with fertilizer)
Summer Light Intensity
But that means summer brings longer days and more intense sunlight. A spot that was perfect in winter could well become too bright by June.
The signs it’s time to make a summer adjustment are:
- Leaves feeling warm to the touch in the afternoon
- Yellow patches on leaves facing the window
- Crispy brown edges appearing on previously healthy leaves
I’ve found it helpful to do a “hand test” during the peak of summer: if the light casts a shadow on your hand and feels warm it’s probably too much for your Monstera.
Using Grow Lights for Monsteras: When and How
Not everyone has the luxury of perfect natural light in their home. You might live in a north facing apartment. Or maybe you want to grow a Monstera in that perfect spot that’s far from any window. This is where grow lights come in handy.
I didn’t use grow lights for years because I thought only the proper and experienced plant owners used them. But the difference they’ve made for my plants in spots that weren’t ideal has really changed my mind.
When Grow Lights Make Sense
Add a grow light for your Monstera if:
- Your space only has north facing windows
- You want to place your plant more than 6 to 8 feet from a window
- You notice leggy growth or smaller leaves developing
- You live in an area with limited winter daylight
- Surrounding buildings or trees block significant light
Types of Grow Lights That Work
There a lot of different types of grow lights and they do different things. But the more budget options, from my experience at least, don’t provide enough power to work well.
So this is what I’ve found works:
- LED grow bulbs (min 15W) that can fit in regular lamps you already own
- Full spectrum LED grow light strips for shelves or cabinets
- Adjustable gooseneck grow lights with timers
I’ve had some really good results with LED grow bulbs in regular floor lamps placed above my Monsteras. They fit in with my decor and provide the boost of light the Monsteras need.
Avoid the very cheap purple/pink LED lights though as they don’t provide enough intensity. The color is also a bit weird and makes your room look like it’s been invaded by aliens.
Grow Light Placement and Duration
For the best results:
- Position grow lights 12 to 18 inches above your Monstera
- Run lights for 8 to 12 hours daily (I use a simple outlet timer)
- Adjust height as your plant grows taller
One mistake I made when first using a grow light was keeping it on for too long (16+ hours). I naively thought that more was better. This just stressed my plants because they need a dark period for healthy growth cycles.
Light Solutions for Tricky Spaces
Sometimes you love a spot for you’re Monstera that doesn’t have the best light. Before giving up try these solutions that could still work for you:
Mirror Multiplication
Well placed mirrors can reflect and essentially “multiply” the light in a dim corner. I placed a large mirror next to my north facing Monstera and the light reflected from the window onto the plant, which in turn helped with its growth.
Rotating
If you have the perfect spot for your Monstera aesthetically but it’s too dark then rotating it with other places works. Keep it in its “display spot” for 3 to 4 days then move it to a bright location for a week to recharge. This isn’t perfect for its growth but can be a compromise if you don’t want to give up the spot.
Light Shelves
If you don’t have much floor space near your bright windows then a solution is to install a small shelf just for your Monstera. Even raising a plant 12 inches higher can massively increase the light it gets, especially in the winter when the sun angles are lower.
Monstera Lighting Problems & Solutions
Problem: Leaning Aggressively Toward Light
Solution: Your plant is telling you it wants more light. Either move it closer to the window or add some extra lighting. Try rotating it a quarter turn every week as this will encourage even growth.
Problem: New Leaves Have No Holes
Solution: This is almost always a light issue. Monstera fenestrations develop in response to getting the right light levels. Move it to a brighter location and the new leaves will almost certainly improve. Just be patient as it may take 2 to 3 new leaves to see the difference.
Problem: Yellowing Leaves With Brown Spots
Solution: This usually means sunburn. Move your Monstera further away from the window or add a sheer curtain (it’ll diffuse the light). Any leaves that are already damaged won’t recover but the new growth will be healthy once the light issue is sorted.
Problem: Pale, Washed Out Leaves
Solution: Too much direct light is bleaching the chlorophyll. Move it to a spot with bright indirect light instead of one where it’s exposed to harsh direct light.
Problem: Dark Green, Small Leaves
Solution: It’s trying to maximize chlorophyll production in low light. Increase the light levels gradually to avoid shock.
Lighting for Different Monstera Varieties
Not all Monsteras want the same amount of light. Here’s how they differ:
Monstera Deliciosa
This is the standard Swiss cheese plant most people have. It’s moderately adaptable to light conditions but develops the largest leaves in bright indirect light.
Monstera Adansonii
This smaller, vining variety with fully enclosed holes needs a little more light than Deliciosa to maintain its compact growth habit. In lower light it becomes leggy very quickly.
Monstera Deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’
This variety needs more light than its green counterparts because it has less chlorophyll. However, its white/cream portions burn easily in direct sun. An east facing window is best to get the right balance.
Monstera Deliciosa ‘Albo Borsigiana’
Similar to Thai Constellation it needs bright light but also burns easily. The higher the variegation, the more light is needed (while being even more at risk of sunburn). It’s a tricky balance that might need you to adjust care and placement depending on the season.
FAQs About Monstera Lighting
Can Monsteras live in low light?
They can survive in lower light conditions but they won’t thrive or give you the holes and splits in their leaves. You’ll get smaller leaves, slower growth and a leggier plant. If low light is your only option you might want to try something like a ZZ plant or Pothos that naturally need less light.
Can Monsteras get too much light?
Oh yes! Too much direct sunlight will burn their leaves and give them yellow patches and crispy brown areas. Monsteras evolved under the rainforest canopy, not in full sun. Even 3 to 4 hours of direct afternoon sun can damage the leaves.
Do Monsteras like grow lights?
They do respond well to quality grow lights. But you have to get a light with sufficient intensity and the right spectrum. Look for full spectrum LEDs specifically designed for plants, not just any LED bulb.
Will my Monstera grow faster with more light?
Yes, up to a point. Monsteras grow most quickly with bright indirect light for 10 to 12 hours daily. But it’s getting the balance right that really helps. Too little light will slow growth but too much direct light stresses the plant and can also stop growth.
How do I know if my Monstera is getting enough light?
A Monstera that’s getting the right amount of light will produce new leaves regularly (every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season), develop fenestrations for its maturity, maintain a vibrant green color (not too dark or pale) and grow leaves that are compact.
Final Thoughts
The most important skill for getting the light right with your Monstera isn’t memorizing rigid rules – it’s observation. Every home is different, with unique light conditions that will almost certainly throughout the year.
Your Monstera will tell you what it needs if you pay attention to it. New leaves getting bigger with more holes? You’re on the right track. If it’s stretching toward the window? Move it closer. Yellow patches appearing? Take it away from intense light.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and make small adjustments. Move your plant a few feet, try a different window, use a sheer curtain, introduce a grow light etc. Taking photos every few months is good way to track your progress too. Changes happen so gradually we don’t notice them until we compare the before and after shots.
Your Monstera is pretty forgiving and with the right light it will grow and be healthy.