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Monstera leaves stay small when the plant isn’t getting the right balance of light, water, nutrients, or space to climb.
If you’ve been noticing that your monstera’s newer leaves are coming in smaller than the older ones, you’re not alone.
Small leaves on a monstera are usually a sign that something in its environment is off, but the good news is that most causes are totally fixable.
In this post, we’ll dig into the main reasons why monstera leaves are small, how to encourage bigger growth, and what you can do starting today to help your plant thrive.
Let’s get into it.
Why Are My Monstera Leaves So Small?
Monstera leaves are small because the plant is prioritizing survival over growth, and that usually comes down to a few key factors.
When a monstera doesn’t have enough light, water, or nutrients, it simply doesn’t have the energy to produce large, fenestrated leaves.
Instead, it focuses on staying alive, which means smaller leaves that require less resources to grow.
Let’s break down the most common culprits behind small monstera leaves so you can figure out what’s going on with your plant.
1. Insufficient Light
The number one reason monstera leaves are small is a lack of bright, indirect light.
Monsteras are tropical plants that naturally grow under the canopy of larger trees, but they still need plenty of filtered sunlight to photosynthesize efficiently.
If your monstera is sitting in a dark corner or far from a window, it won’t get the energy it needs to push out large leaves.
You’ll often notice that the leaves become smaller, darker green, and lack the iconic splits and holes that monsteras are known for.
Move your plant closer to a bright window with indirect light, or consider adding a grow light to supplement.
This is the fastest way to see an improvement in leaf size.
2. Underwatering or Overwatering
Watering issues are another huge reason why monstera leaves are small.
When you underwater, the roots can’t deliver enough moisture to support new growth, so leaves come in smaller and may look droopy or crisp at the edges.
On the flip side, overwatering leads to root rot, which damages the root system and prevents the plant from absorbing water and nutrients at all.
Both scenarios stress the plant and result in stunted leaf development.
A good rule of thumb is to water your monstera when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry, and make sure the pot has drainage holes.
You want the soil to be consistently moist but never soggy.
3. Lack of Nutrients
Monstera leaves can also be small if the plant is starving for nutrients.
Like all plants, monsteras need a steady supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to build healthy new leaves.
If your soil is depleted or you haven’t fertilized in months, the plant simply can’t manufacture large leaves.
Feed your monstera with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
This will give it the fuel it needs to produce bigger, more fenestrated leaves.
4. Root Bound Plant
Another common reason monstera leaves are small is that the plant has outgrown its pot.
When roots fill the container completely, they become cramped and can’t spread out to absorb water and nutrients effectively.
This restricts the plant’s overall growth, and you’ll see smaller leaves as a result.
Check if roots are growing out of the drainage holes or circling tightly around the root ball.
If so, it’s time to repot your monstera into a pot that’s 2-3 inches larger in diameter.
Fresh, well-draining soil will also give it a nutrient boost.
5. Lack of Support to Climb
In the wild, monstera leaves are large because the plant climbs up trees toward the light.
When grown indoors without a moss pole or trellis, the plant tends to sprawl, and monstera leaves can come in smaller because the plant doesn’t feel the need to grow upward.
Providing a moss pole or stake encourages the plant to climb, which often triggers larger leaf growth.
The aerial roots will latch onto the support, and the plant will start putting more energy into producing bigger leaves to reach the canopy.
So if your monstera is just flopping over the pot, give it something to climb.
How to Encourage Bigger Monstera Leaves
Now that you know the main causes, it’s time to take action to get those monstera leaves to grow bigger.
Here are the most effective strategies to help your plant produce larger, more impressive leaves.
1. Maximize Light Exposure
The single biggest change you can make is to give your monstera more bright, indirect light.
Place it within a few feet of a south or east-facing window where it gets morning sun but is protected from harsh afternoon rays.
If you don’t have a good window, invest in a full-spectrum grow light and run it for 10-12 hours a day.
Your monstera leaves will respond by growing larger and developing more fenestrations.
2. Prune Older, Smaller Leaves
Sometimes monstera leaves are small simply because the plant is spending energy maintaining old, tiny leaves from when it was a juvenile.
By pruning away the smallest, oldest leaves at the base, you redirect energy to the newer, healthier growth points.
This doesn’t mean cutting off all the small leaves, but rather removing the ones that are clearly stunted or damaged.
Do this during the growing season and you’ll often see a burst of new, larger leaves.
3. Fertilize Consistently
To support big leaves, your monstera needs a steady diet of nutrients.
Use a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 20-20-20 or a specialized houseplant formula.
Dilute it to half strength and apply once a month during spring and summer.
During fall and winter, cut back to once every 6-8 weeks or stop altogether, as the plant isn’t actively growing.
This regular feeding is key to preventing monstera leaves from being small due to nutrient deficiency.
4. Provide a Moss Pole
Give your monstera a reason to grow up and you’ll see bigger leaves.
Insert a moss pole or wooden stake into the pot and gently tie the main stem to it.
Keep the moss slightly damp to encourage aerial roots to attach.
As the plant climbs, it will start producing larger leaves to support its upward growth.
This mimics its natural habitat and is one of the most reliable ways to get monstera leaves to grow bigger.
5. Repot Into Fresh Soil
If your monstera is root bound or the soil has degraded, repotting is essential.
Choose a pot that’s a few inches larger and use a chunky, well-aerated mix like a combination of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
This gives roots room to expand and improves drainage, both of which support larger leaf growth over time.
So, Why Are My Monstera Leaves So Small?
Monstera leaves are small because the plant is lacking one or more of the essentials it needs to thrive.
The most common reasons are insufficient light, improper watering, nutrient deficiencies, being root bound, or not having a support to climb.
By addressing these issues, you can absolutely turn things around and enjoy larger, more fenestrated leaves.
Start by moving your monstera to a brighter spot, then check your watering routine, and give it a good dose of fertilizer.
Add a moss pole, and consider repotting if necessary.
With a little patience and the right care, your monstera leaves will grow bigger than ever.
So if you’ve been wondering why are my monstera leaves so small, now you have your answer and a clear plan to fix it.
Give your plant what it needs, and it will reward you with those gorgeous, oversized leaves you’ve been dreaming of.