The iconic holes and splits in Monstera leaves, known as fenestrations, will appear on new leaves when your plant gains maturity.
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How long does it take for Monstera leaves to split?
To begin with, the shape of Monstera leaves depends on the age of the plant. If your monstera has some leaves with fenestrations and some without, you might notice that the splits appear on the newest leaves. Fenestrations appear when the Monstera is old and happy enough to produce mature leaves with splits.
A baby Monstera up to a year old will have heart shaped leaves with no holes.
An adult Monstera will be approximately 1-3 years old when it develops it’s first fenestrations. My Monsteras, which grow in a high light environment, typically get their first leaves with splits after 5-6 smaller leaves form on the same stem. Depending on your growing conditions, the exact number will vary. Learn more about the best Monstera light conditions in our guide.
Finally, larger Monsteras that are 3+ years to decades old can grow enormous leaves. They can even develop additional sets of fenestrations that appear like additional rows of holes inside the splits.
If you see a monstera plant with large split leaves and no smaller baby leaves, it was likely propagated from a top cutting (learn more about propagating monstera in our ultimate guide). Using this method, the new plant got a head start on its leaf maturity.
How to encourage Monstera leaves to split
Monstera leaves unfurl with all the fenestrations they will have already formed. An existing leaf cannot grow new splits. As a result, if you see cracks or tears in a Monstera leaf, it is most likely structural damage and not a split leaf forming. Additionally, leaves can sometimes crack when unfurling if the humidity is too low (see our humidity guide). Also, here is what to do with damaged Monstera leaves.
Your monstera will grow fenestrated leaves sooner the more rapidly it grows. The best way to encourage this is to provide the best possible growing environment. If your Monstera leaves don’t yet have splits, improving the following factors will help:
- Light – Increasing the available light for your houseplants is the number one factor that will make them grow faster. Your Monstera will develop splits sooner when it is given bright light. Check out our best grow lights for Monstera guide.
- Water – Providing the correct amount of water will help your Monstera grow. Rapid growth makes your plants thirsty! Check out the watering guide here.
- Fertilizer– Make sure that your Monstera has the nutrients it needs to support rapid growth. Read about our recommended fertilizers for your Monstera plant.
- Support – Including a support, like a moss pole, and allowing your Monstera to climb will help the leaves to split sooner. Learn more about supports and how to install them next to your Monstera.
I recommend this moss pole to help your Monstera grow. They can stack to create a taller pole! Click on the image or link to check the current price.
Totem Monkey Moss Pole – 26.4 Inch Coir Totem Plant Support – 2 Coco Sticks for Climbing Indoor Potted Plants – 20 Paper Twist Ties – Train Monstera Philodendron Pothos Creeper House Plants Grow
Should I cut off leaves to help my Monstera grow splits?
Any leaf that is green contributes to photosynthesis. I would not recommend trimming smaller leaves off. If they are healthy, they are producing energy for the plant and helping it grow faster.
Monstera leaf splits after propagation
If you prune your Monstera or take cuttings to propagate, when new leaves form on the original plant they will be less mature and may not have splits. With time, new leaves will eventually regain their size and fenestrations. This is unavoidable, so it is important to note before propagating your favorite Monstera.
New leaves with fewer splits
When you induce other sources of stress on your Monstera, such as repotting, shipping, or sudden changes in environment, this can reduce the number of splits that form on the new leaf. If this happens to you, don’t worry! Just continue to provide for your Monstera’s needs and the leaf maturity will improve on the next leaf.
Want to use what we use for our Monstera plants? Check out our Monstera care product recommendations that you can purchase from Amazon.