Not enough light
A mature Monstera that stops fenestrating is almost always under-lit.
Diagnosis
Not enough light
What's happening
Without enough light the plant can't power large, split leaves, so new growth comes in small, solid, and widely spaced on a stretching stem.
How to fix it
Move it to a brighter spot with plenty of bright indirect light (a few feet from an east/north window, or filtered south/west). If your space is dim, a grow light makes a real difference — and give it a moss pole to climb.
What fixes it
- A full-spectrum LED grow light — A full-spectrum grow light restores the light a mature Monstera needs to fenestrate.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Monstera Deliciosa care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this