Monstera not splitting? Watch these points, and the leaves will split until they're three fingers wide

Recently quite a few plant lovers have been asking Huahua in the comments why their Monstera has been growing for so long but still won't split. Today, Huahua will share with everyone why Monstera doesn't split!

Young Monstera seedlings don't split

Gardening Encyclopedia

Monstera in the seedling stage doesn't have a strong enough root system, and its leaves are mainly complete heart shapes, but as the Monstera grows, starting from about the fifth leaf, holes will gradually appear.

Measures to encourage splitting:

1. Increase light

Young Monstera seedlings need to receive relatively more light to promote faster leaf growth. If seedlings are kept in a dark, lightless environment for a long time, the plant will grow very slowly, and the holes that form in the leaves will be on the smaller side.

2. Water less

Young Monstera seedlings have very little need for water, and a small amount of water can promote leaf splitting. Watering heavily instead causes the leaves to only grow larger without splitting.

Adult Monstera doesn't split

Gardening Encyclopedia

Some friends will find that their Monstera has been home for one or two years and still doesn't split. This means you need to look for the reason in the Monstera's daily care.

Light too strong or insufficient

In late spring and summer, when temperatures are on the high side, you should avoid exposing Monstera to direct sunlight. But you also can't keep Monstera in a dark indoor spot with no sunlight all the time. It's best to place it in a bright, indirect-light environment, such as the living room, where it receives soft, bright light.

Insufficient water

Unlike young Monstera seedlings, adult Monstera has a relatively large need for water. In summer, generally water once every 1-2 days, and also regularly spray the leaves with water to raise the humidity of the surrounding environment and promote leaf growth and splitting.

Improper fertilizing

Once Monstera is adult, its need for fertilizer is relatively greater. It's best to apply 1-2 times a month with decomposed cake fertilizer water. When fertilizing, combine it with watering: dig open the potting soil around the edge of the pot, bury the fertilizer in, then cover it back up with soil.

You bought a fake "Monstera"

Gardening Encyclopedia

If none of the above matches your Monstera's situation, then it's very likely that you bought a fake Monstera - Alocasia macrorrhizos.

(Alocasia macrorrhizos seedling)

Alocasia macrorrhizos looks very similar to a Monstera that hasn't split yet during the seedling stage. So, if your Monstera never splits, then you very likely bought an Alocasia macrorrhizos.

(Monstera seedling)

Repotting and division

Gardening Encyclopedia

Some plant lovers also report that their Monstera used to split, but the leaves that recently grew out suddenly don't split anymore. This is a reminder that it's time to repot and divide your Monstera!

1. Remove from pot

Pat the outside of the pot, take the Monstera out of its original pot, break apart the root ball, and remove the potting soil.

2. Divide

Rinse the roots of the soil-free Monstera clean with water, and divide it into several separate plants.

3. Trim roots

Cut away all the rotten parts, dead roots, and weak roots on the roots, cut off the bottom rhizome, and keep one bud point.

4. Pot up

Repot the divided and trimmed Monstera. First spread a layer of humus soil on the bottom of the pot, then place the Monstera in the middle of the pot, and finally secure it with soil.

5. Water thoroughly

The first watering must be thorough, after which you can water once every 1-2 days, and be careful not to let water accumulate.

Monstera rhizome cuttings

Gardening Encyclopedia

When dividing, don't throw away the rhizomes Huahua had you cut off - use them for cuttings and you can gain another Monstera plant!

1. Mix soil

Mix leaf mold and garden soil in a 1:1 ratio to make humus soil.

2. Bury the rhizome

Place the rhizome flat into the soil, with the roots completely buried, but the cut ends at both ends exposed. After burying, water thoroughly, then place it in a cool, ventilated spot for care.

That's all for sharing knowledge about Monstera splitting.

Did you learn it?

If you still have questions, you can leave a message for Huahua~

?