Should I Cut The Dead Leaves Off My Monstera? [Inc. When And How To]

Understanding what your plants need throughout the year to remain healthy can be tricky. Do you think it's time to cut the dead leaves off your monstera but don't know how or if you should do this? Does monstera require occasional pruning?

We'll answer these questions and more throughout this article. Let's dive right in!

For those with monstera in their yard, it is a good idea to prune off any dead leaves you notice occasionally. Again, this doesn't need to be extreme, so try to only remove discolored or dried-out foliage from your plant.

Generally, any sections of monstera that are brown or black no longer produce energy or benefit your plant, so it's best to cut them off.

As we start, we will cover all things pruning monstera and discuss how to do this. Whether you're new to this species or haven't considered trimming yet, we're here to offer some assistance. With that said, let's dive right into this post below!

Should You Remove Dead Leaves From A Monstera?

Yes, it can be beneficial to remove any dead foliage from a monstera plant. Figuring that dead sections of your monstera can't photosynthesize, there's no reason to keep them on your plant.

You typically want to cut dead or dying leaves from the stem. Doing this will encourage new growth on your monstera and help it look better aesthetically.

Many gardeners will also cut their monstera back occasionally to shape it. This is a great way to keep your plant a specific size/shape while also ensuring there aren't dead sections stunting its growth.

Like any living thing, once a part of an organism dies or becomes diseased, it's generally best to remove the affected area entirely.

Trying to nurse a sick leaf back to health won't likely change its course, so remember to cut your loss if the damage is extensive.

Do Monstera Leaves Grow Back After Cutting?

Yes, there will be new growth where you cut back your monstera. As we said, doing this is the easiest way to encourage new foliage to develop on your plant.

Usually, the new growth will sprout from the nearest node where the initial pruning was done.

According to Unica Plants, it's likely that the section of your monstera you trimmed will come back entirely within a few months, which is impressive.

Of course, this speed will vary depending on your plant's light, water, and soil nutrients, so everyone might be a little different.

Fertilization will also affect how fast or slow a cut monstera regrows. For example, if you fertilize after you prune your plant, it's more likely to see greenery within a few weeks.

On the other hand, if you leave it to nature, your timeline could extend to a couple of months.

How Do You Prune A Monstera?

For those ready to prune their monstera, start by assessing your plant. If you notice any brown/blackened leaves, you want to start with those.

Grab a pair of sharp garden shears. Next, cut the affected foliage down to the stem. If you're pruning to encourage growth, trim your monstera wherever you think needs a boost.

Again, this doesn't have to be extreme. Remember, any pruning you do to this plant will result in new growth, so if you're trying to keep your monstera a specific size, don't trim too much.

Furthermore, you may only need to trim your monstera once or twice annually. Removing dead sections periodically is normal, so don't think you need to get crazy whenever a minimal trim is required.

Do I Need To Prune My Monstera?

Considering this plant species is fast-growing, pruning can become essential. Generally, trimming any dead sections of your monstera will help it look and feel better.

Failing to do this can result in less growth and more discolored sections, so we think it's necessary. As we said above, your trimming doesn't need to be extreme.

If you prefer only to cut down dead or dying sections, that is fine. However, pruning can become imperative if you want to shape your monstera or have it grow a certain way.

One positive thing about your plant is that it's very hardy. This means it won't require meticulous pruning. That also means if you want to do a more extensive trim, that won't harm your plant.

Does Monstera Grow Fast?

In general, you can expect a monstera to grow rather quickly. This species usually grows 1-2 feet each year, although you might see more if the conditions are ideal.

Breaking this down further, your monster could grow roughly 1/3 of an inch every few days, which is crazy to think about.

When it comes to their leaves, a monstera will replenish itself within 4-6 weeks on average. So, if you trim off a few dead areas, expect to see them fill out with new foliage in a month or so.

As your plant matures, it's common to see more new growth. Generally, the bigger your monstera, the more leaves it can produce each month/season.

Again, every plant will be different, but don't be surprised if you see an explosion of new leaves after a seasonal pruning.

How Big Will Monstera Get?

You can typically expect a monstera to reach heights of 10-15 feet, depending on their location. Of course, this will also depend on how well your plant grows and whether you fertilize routinely.

Additionally, it's common to see monstera's span eight or more feet in width, so make sure to give yours plenty of room.

The leaves of a mature monstera can span 18 or more inches, so this plant is certainly large. With that said, not every monstera will become so vast.

For example, if you grow one inside, it could reach eight or nine feet maximum. Like most plants, the ones outside tend to be bigger and stronger, as they receive nutrients from the air and ground and get plenty of sun exposure.

According to Pennington, variegated monstera grows much slower than those outdoors and rarely reach 10-15 feet at their maturity.

It's also common for outdoor monstera to reach mature size within a few years, while indoor plants can take five or more.

Where Is The Best Place To Grow Monstera?

For those in warm places, your monstera will be able to grow outside year-round. Specifically, this species prefers direct sun exposure but can tolerate partial shade in the afternoon.

In addition, monstera needs soil with great drainage to survive. If this plant gets too much water consistently, root rot can occur.

Your monstera also needs a routine watering and fertilizing schedule. As we said, you don't always need to add fertilizer to this species for it to flourish, but it's certainly worth trying.

Many experts recommend stabilizing your monstera with a post or trellis-like structure, as it will grow quite a bit each year.

Considering many people grow their monstera inside, there is a misconception about its climate tolerance.

Therefore, we recommend only growing monstera outdoors if the weather stays between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

This species doesn't handle the cold well, so if your winters are harsh, ensure your plant is inside during the colder seasons.

Is It Better To Grow Monstera Inside?

Monstera prefers tropical, humid conditions, so it usually does best outside. However, indoor growing may be your only choice if you live somewhere incredibly dry or chilly.

Many gardeners choose to grow monstera indoors or in a greenhouse, as the humidity will be high. Again, this isn't always the only or best option.

For example, if you live in Florida and want to have a monstera, we believe outside growing is best. In contrast, if you're in New York, you will need to move your plant inside to a more stable climate.

The key here is having your monstera be somewhere that doesn't get colder than 55-60 degrees.

Indoor growing for this species is also popular because monstera doesn't mind shade, as long as they receive plenty of indirect light.

Does Monstera Need Full Sun To Grow?

Although monstera needs bright light to grow, full sun isn't always necessary. In general, this plant species will do best in sunlight, but that's not to say it can't survive the shade.

According to Pela Earth, if you want monstera to develop lacy leaves and vibrant color, you'll need to grow it in the sun.

Moreover, you will notice that monstera with sun exposure will grow faster than those in the shade. That applies to most species, so when in doubt, place your monstera in the sunshine!

Another reason sun exposure is critical for monstera is its impact on the soil. For example, monstera in the shade is more likely to suffer from root rot and other water-related issues.

On the other hand, a monstera in the full or partial sun won't sit in moisture as long because the sun will dry the soil fairly quickly.

Again, monstera is a rainforest plant, so that's not to say it doesn't thrive in wetter, shadier spots, but for at-home growing, we recommend aiming for a few hours of sun exposure daily.

To Finish It All Up

Whether you want to grow monstera inside or outdoors, it's essential to care for it properly. From what we found, you should remove dead leaves from this plant as they develop to encourage new growth.

Furthermore, it's vital to trim monstera periodically, as it grows quickly. Some gardeners notice their plant growing 1-3 feet each year, so this can become quite a large addition to your yard.

Again, it's best to keep pruning light and target trouble areas, so keep that in mind!

Made it this far? Check out these helpful related garden posts below!

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