How To Find The Back Of A Monstera

Learning how to find the back of a monstera comes down to observing the plant’s natural growth patterns.

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It’s actually one of those plant care skills that sounds trickier than it really is.

Once you know what to look for, you can find the back of your monstera in just a few seconds.

In this post, we’ll walk through the easiest methods to find the back of a monstera, why it matters, and a few mistakes to avoid.

It’s a simple skill that helps you give your monstera the best care.

Whether you’re tidying up the plant or checking for pests, knowing the back side is super useful.

Let’s break it down step by step so you never confuse the sides again.

By the end, you’ll be a pro at spotting the back of a monstera.

How to Find the Back of a Monstera

Look at the leaf and stem connection

When you want to find the back of a monstera, start by looking at where the leaf stalk, or petiole, connects to the stem.
 
The front of the leaf usually faces outward, while the back of the monstera leaf hugs the center of the plant.
 
And if the petiole appears perpendicular to the stem, you are looking at the side view, not the back.
 
If you gently lift a leaf, you will notice the backside has a less glossy texture and often a lighter green color.
 
That’s your quickest clue for finding the back of a monstera.
 

Check the fenestrations

The holes in monstera leaves, called fenestrations, are another useful cue for finding the back of your monstera.
 
On most varieties, these splits and holes are positioned so they face the front of the leaf.
 
So when you find the back of a monstera, look at the direction the fenestrations lean.
 
If the slits point away from the stem, you are looking at the front.
 
If they seem to angle toward the main stem, you have found the back of that monstera leaf.
 

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Use the aerial roots as a guide

Monstera plants grow aerial roots that emerge from the nodes along the main stem.
 
These roots typically extend from the side of the stem that faces the back of the monstera plant.
 
So, if you are trying to find the back of a monstera, trace the aerial roots back to their origin.
 
That origin point is your back-side reference for the whole plant.
 

Look for natural leaf curvature

If you observe a monstera from above, you will notice leaves often tilt slightly.
 
The front of the leaf leans toward the light source, while the back of the monstera leaf curves toward the plant’s interior.
 
This natural curvature makes finding the back of your monstera easier because you just follow the direction the leaf cups.
 
The concave side is the front, so the convex side is where you find the back of the monstera leaf.
 

Use a light source to reveal the back

Hold the leaf up to a window or shine a flashlight from behind.
 
The front of a monstera leaf usually appears darker and more opaque, while the back shows lighter veining.
 
This trick helps you find the back of a monstera even when the color difference is subtle.
 
Once you see the veining pattern, you’ll know you’re looking at the back of the monstera leaf.
 

Why Finding the Back of Your Monstera Matters

Better light placement

When you find the back of your monstera, you understand which side faces darkness and which side needs sunlight.
 
Monstera leaves photosynthesize best when the front is aimed at a window.
 
Turning the plant so the back of the monstera faces away from the light encourages even growth.
 

Smarter watering

Knowing how to find the back of a monstera also helps you avoid getting water pooled in the leaf crevices.
 
When you water, you can target the front surfaces and allow the back of the monstera leaves to stay dry.
 
This reduces the risk of fungal spots and makes your monstera care routine much easier.
 

Better leaf rotation

If you rotate your monstera regularly, you will find the back of the monstera and know which side has been shaded.
 
Using that back side as your marker helps you rotate consistently so the plant grows straight.
 
That’s a practical reason why finding the back of a monstera is so valuable.
 

Common Mistakes When Finding the Back of a Monstera

Relying only on color

Some people think the back of a monstera is always darker, but young leaves can look similar on both sides.
 
So to correctly find the back of a monstera, combine color with the stem and fenestration cues.
 
So be sure to use at least two clues together.
 

Confusing the newest leaf

A freshly unfurled leaf might appear backwards because it hasn’t tilted toward the light yet.
 
If you try to find the back of a monstera using only the newest leaf, you might get confused.
 
Give the leaf a few days to harden, then check again to find the back of that monstera leaf.
 

So, How Do You Find the Back of a Monstera?

You find the back of a monstera by looking at the leaf petioles, checking the fenestration direction, and following the aerial roots.

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All three methods point you toward the side of the plant that faces inward and away from light.

Once you’ve found the back of your monstera, you can rotate it properly and keep it thriving.

So the next time someone asks how to find the back of a monstera, you’ll know exactly what to say.

You just need to check the leaf petioles, fenestrations, and aerial roots.

Practice on a few different leaves and soon it will feel like second nature.

Your monstera will thank you for getting the orientation right.