6 Things to Do to Make Monstera Bushier

With its dark and glossy foliage, Monstera is among the prominent houseplants that turn your living space into a green jungle.

Monstera requires low maintenance and thrives in indirect sunlight and humid environments.

Though native to tropical climates, monstera plants can quickly adapt to different climatic conditions.

However, to have a bushier monstera plant, you should mimic its native habitat.

Like most newbie gardeners assume, watering is not the key to having a busy plant. Unlike outdoor plants, Monstera are forgiving plants.

To avoid overwatering, ensure the top 2 inches of the growing medium is dry.

Seeing each leaf unfurl and split with a dark color is fascinating.

Without further ado, let’s check those essential tips that can make monstera plants bushier.

6 Things to Do to Make Monstera Bushier

Prominent for their large, glossy dark leaves, Monstera sometimes grows leggy and sparse instead of full and bushy.

With the proper care techniques, you can encourage your Monstera to produce more lush foliage and develop a fuller appearance.

1. Increase the Light

Monstera thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. If your plant looks thin or leggy, it may not get enough light.

Move it closer to a window where it can receive filtered sunlight several hours a day.

East—or south-facing windows are ideal, as they provide morning or midday light without direct sun exposure, which can scorch the leaves.

If natural light is limited, supplement with a grow light to ensure your Monstera gets the energy it needs for vigorous growth.

2. Fertilize (Banana Peel Tea)

Feeding your Monstera with the proper nutrients is essential for promoting bushy growth.

Banana peel tea is a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer that provides potassium and phosphorus, crucial for healthy leaves and strong stems.

To make banana peel tea, soak banana peels in water for 24-48 hours, and then use the nutrient-infused water to hydrate your Monstera.

Regularly fertilizing with this organic boost encourages faster growth and more abundant foliage.

3. Tie it to a Moss Pole

Monsters are natural climbers, and supporting them with a moss pole can help them grow in a more structured and fuller way.

Secure the stems to a moss pole using soft ties, encouraging upward growth and allowing aerial roots to latch on for stability.

Over time, the plant will produce larger leaves and a denser appearance.

Keeping the moss pole moist will also provide extra humidity, which Monstera loves.

4. Use Aquarium Water

If you have an aquarium, repurposing its water for your Monstera can provide an excellent nutrient boost.

Aquarium water is filled with beneficial nitrates and minerals from fish waste, which act as natural fertilizers. This helps promote healthy, vigorous growth while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Before using it, just ensure the water is not too salty and has been sitting at room temperature to avoid shocking the plant.

5. Pruning Monstera

Pruning is one of the best ways to encourage a Monstera to grow bushier. Trim the leggy stem just above a node (where a leaf meets the stem) to stimulate new branching.

Cutting back overgrown stems also redirects energy to promote fuller, more compact growth.

Regular pruning maintains an attractive shape and encourages the plant to put out fresh, healthy foliage.

6. Activated Charcoal Snack

Adding activated charcoal to your Monstera’s soil mix can improve overall plant health and lead to more robust growth.

Activated charcoal helps to absorb toxins, excess moisture, and impurities in the soil, preventing root rot and promoting better nutrient absorption.

By keeping the roots healthier, the plant can focus on producing fuller, bushier foliage.

Mix a small amount of activated charcoal into the potting soil for the best results.

Implementing these six techniques will help your Monstera develop a lush and bushy appearance, creating a striking indoor plant with vibrant greenery.

Mistakes to Avoid When Growing a Monstera

Monstera are beautiful, easy-to-grow houseplants but need the proper care to thrive.

You might make one of these common mistakes if your Monstera looks weak, leggy, or unhappy.

Here’s how to avoid them and keep your plant healthy.

1. Not Giving Enough Light

Monstera needs bright, indirect sunlight to grow big, healthy leaves. If your plant doesn’t get enough light, it may grow long, thin stems with small leaves and no holes.

Place it near a bright window, but not in direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. If your home is dark, use a grow light to help it grow better.

2. Overwatering or Underwatering

Too much water can cause root rot, making the leaves turn yellow and the stems mushy.

Not enough water can dry out the leaves, making them turn brown and crispy.

To water correctly, check the top 2 inches of soil—if it’s dry, it’s time to water. Use a pot with drainage holes so extra water can escape.

3. Using the Wrong Soil

Monstera need loose, well-draining soil. Regular garden soil holds too much water and can suffocate the roots.

Instead, mix potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark to help air flow through the roots.

Adding activated charcoal can also keep the soil fresh and prevent mold.

4. Not Enough Humidity

Monstera come from tropical areas, so they like humid air. The leaf edges might turn brown if your home is dry, especially in winter.

To increase humidity, you can mist the leaves, use a humidifier, or place a tray of water and pebbles near the plant. Keeping it near other plants can also help.

5. Not Pruning or Training It to Climb

If you don’t trim your Monstera, it may grow too long and thin. Pruning helps it grow fuller and healthier.

Cut off long, weak stems to encourage new growth. Since Monstera are natural climbers, adding a moss pole or trellis will help them grow upwards with bigger leaves.

6. Ignoring Pests

Bugs like spider mites and mealybugs can attack Monstera. They suck the plant’s nutrients, making it weak.

Check the leaves often for tiny webs or white, sticky spots, especially underneath.

If you see pests, wipe the leaves with neem oil or soapy water to remove them.

7. Using the Wrong Pot Size

A pot that’s too small can stop your Monstera from growing well, while a pot that’s too big can hold too much water and cause root rot.

When roots grow out of the drainage holes, repot every 1-2 years. Pick a pot about 2 inches bigger than the old one.

8. Not Cleaning the Leaves

Dust can build up on Monstera leaves, blocking sunlight and slowing growth. To keep the leaves clean, wipe them with a damp cloth or soapy water every few weeks. This also helps prevent pests.

9. Over-Fertilizing

Fertilizing helps Monstera grow, but too much can damage the roots.

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer, but don’t fertilize in winter. For a natural option, use banana peel tea or fish emulsion.

10. Not Rotating the Plant

Monstera grows toward the light, so if you leave them in the same position, they might lean too much to one side.

Turn the pot every few weeks to help it grow evenly.

By avoiding these mistakes, your Monstera will stay healthy, grow big leaves, and look beautiful in your home!

What is the Problem with Making Monstera Bushy?

Monstera is a vining plant, meaning it tends to grow upwards rather than outwards. Because of this natural growth habit, it can be challenging to make it bushier.

In the wild, they climb trees using their aerial roots to reach sunlight, so they don’t naturally grow as a dense, bushy plant.

When kept indoors, they often spread out with long, leggy stems if they aren’t given the proper support or care.

Another issue is that Monstera needs light, water, and nutrients to grow thick and full. If they don’t get enough light, they will stretch toward the nearest light source, resulting in sparse, weak growth.

Overwatering or using the wrong soil can cause root rot, which damages the plant and results in stunted growth.

Even with reasonable care, Monstera takes time to develop new leaves and branches, so achieving a bushy appearance requires patience.

Pruning and training a Monstera to grow bushier can also be tricky. If you cut the wrong part of the plant, it may not grow back as expected, or it could take weeks before new growth appears.

Additionally, not all Monstera respond the same way to pruning—some may put out multiple new shoots, while others may focus on growing taller instead. Using a moss pole can help encourage more upright and compact growth, but the plant may still look sparse without regular maintenance.

Lastly, some Monstera may never become genuinely bushy even with the best care. The plant’s genetics play a significant role in its growth pattern, and certain Monstera varieties, like Monstera deliciosa, naturally grow tall with large, spaced-out leaves.

While proper techniques can encourage fuller growth, realistic expectations are essential. Instead of forcing a Monstera to be bushy, it’s better to embrace its natural beauty and work with its climbing nature.

Conclusion

To make your Monstera bushier, focus on regular pruning, providing ample indirect light, and using proper fertilization to promote healthy growth.

Pinching the top and offering support structures like a moss pole will encourage lateral growth, resulting in a fuller, more robust plant.

You can enjoy a thriving, bushy monstera that enhances your indoor space by consistently applying these techniques.