How To Keep A Monstera From Getting Too Big

You can keep a monstera from getting too big by controlling its environment and pruning it on a regular schedule.

Keeping a monstera from getting too big is actually simpler than most plant parents think, and it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice that gorgeous tropical look you love.

Monsteras are naturally vigorous growers, and in the wild they can climb dozens of feet up trees, so inside your home they’ll always try to take over if you let them.

The good news is that with the right techniques, you can manage how to keep a monstera from getting too big while still enjoying a full, healthy, and beautiful plant.

In this post, I’m going to share the easiest ways to keep a monstera from getting too big, the best pruning methods, and a few tricks that slow down that aggressive growth.

 

Why Keep a Monstera From Getting Too Big

There are plenty of reasons you might want to keep a monstera from getting too big, and none of them mean you love your plant any less.

Monsteras can quickly outgrow their corner, and their aerial roots can start grabbing onto walls, furniture, or even nearby curtains.

Large monsteras also become heavy and top-heavy, which can make the pot tip over and damage the stems or the floor underneath.

If you live in a smaller apartment or just want a tidy indoor jungle, learning how to keep a monstera from getting too big is a total game changer.

 

1. Monsteras Grow Fast and Take Over Space

Monsteras are famous for their rapid growth, especially during the warmer months of spring and summer.

A single healthy monstera can push out several new leaves in just a few weeks, and each leaf can be enormous.

Without intervention, your monstera will keep stretching toward the light, and before you know it, it’s touching the ceiling.

That’s why so many people look up how to keep a monstera from getting too big before their plant completely dominates the living room.

 

2. Smaller Plants Are Easier to Care For

A more compact monstera is much easier to water, mist, clean, and move around when the seasons change.

When your monstera is huge, you need a ladder just to check the top leaves for pests or dust.

Keeping a monstera from getting too big will also save you from constantly buying bigger pots and heavier bags of soil.

Most plant lovers agree that a manageable size makes the hobby way more enjoyable, and you’ll actually look forward to caring for it each week.

 

How to Keep a Monstera From Getting Too Big

Now let’s get into the actual methods you can use to keep a monstera from getting too big, starting with the most obvious one that a lot of people skip.

The key is to combine a few strategies together so your monstera stays compact and bushy instead of tall and leggy.

 

1. Prune Your Monstera Regularly

Pruning is the number one way to keep a monstera from getting too big, and it’s honestly pretty fun once you get the hang of it.

Grab a clean pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears and cut just above a node, which is that little bump where leaves and roots grow.

You can remove the newest leaves at the top to control height, and you can also trim back long, unruly stems to shape the whole plant.

Regular pruning encourages the monstera to grow bushier instead of taller, which is exactly what you want.

Don’t be scared to cut your monstera because it will bounce back quickly, and you can even propagate the cuttings in water for new plants.

 

2. Repot Less Often to Slow Down Growth

A monstera that’s slightly root-bound grows much slower than one with tons of fresh soil to explore.

When you repot too often, you give the roots room to spread, and that translates to more leaves and a bigger plant overall.

To keep a monstera from getting too big, only repot when absolutely necessary, which is usually every two years or so.

If you do repot, choose a pot that’s only one or two inches wider than the current one, not a huge jump in size.

A snug pot naturally limits root growth, and that will help you keep your monstera from getting too big without stressing the plant.

 

3. Control Light and Fertilizer

The more light and fertilizer your monstera gets, the faster it will grow, so controlling both is a smart way to manage size.

If you want to keep a monstera from getting too big, place it in a spot with medium, indirect light instead of bright, intense sun.

This will slow down the growth rate while still keeping the leaves healthy and green, so don’t worry about your plant looking sad.

Similarly, cut back on fertilizing during the fall and winter months when growth naturally slows anyway.

When you do fertilize in spring and summer, use a diluted, balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength, and only feed once a month.

 

4. Use a Moss Pole With Intention

Monsteras are climbers, and if you give them a moss pole, they will climb up it rather than sprawling out sideways.

However, a tall moss pole can actually encourage your monstera to grow taller, so use a shorter pole if you want to keep a monstera from getting too big.

Alternatively, skip the pole altogether and let your monstera trail over the side of the pot, which keeps it lower and more compact.

Training the stems horizontally instead of vertically is one of the cleverest tricks to keep a monstera from getting too big.

 

5. Divide and Share Your Monstera

If your monstera is already too large, you can divide it into several smaller plants and share them with friends or family.

Carefully remove the monstera from its pot and separate the root ball into sections, making sure each section has at least one stem and some roots.

Pot each division in its own smaller container, and now you have multiple compact monsteras instead of one giant one.

 
This method not only helps you keep a monstera from getting too big, but it also gives you free plants to decorate every room in your house.

 

So, How Do You Keep a Monstera From Getting Too Big?

You can keep a monstera from getting too big by pruning regularly, repotting less often, and dialing back on light and fertilizer.

Those simple habits will slow down growth and keep your monstera at a size that works perfectly for your space.

 
Remember, the goal isn’t to stunt your monstera or make it unhealthy, it’s just to manage its growth so you both can live happily together.

Try combining a couple of these methods, like pruning with controlled lighting, and you’ll quickly see a big difference in how your monstera behaves.

 
Your monstera will still grow, but it will grow at a pace that you control, and that’s the whole point of learning how to keep a monstera from getting too big.