How to Keep Monstera From Growing Sideways: Essential Tips for Upright Growth

Monstera plants are beloved for their lush, iconic leaves, but many gardeners struggle with their tendency to grow sideways instead of upright. Understanding how to keep Monstera from growing sideways is key to maintaining a healthy, attractive plant that fits well within your indoor space. Early care practices and proper support can encourage vertical growth and prevent sprawling.

By managing factors like light, support structures, and pruning, you can guide your Monstera to grow tall and strong. This article explores effective techniques to promote upright growth, helping your plant thrive while enhancing your home’s greenery.

Growth Patterns Explained

Understanding Monstera’s Natural Growth Habit

Monstera plants are natural climbers native to tropical rainforests, where they use aerial roots to cling to trees and grow vertically. When grown indoors without support, Monstera often grows sideways or sprawls across the ground because it seeks a structure to climb. This sideways growth is a natural survival mechanism but can make the plant appear unruly or take up more space than desired.

Factors Influencing Sideways Growth

Several factors contribute to a Monstera growing sideways:

• Light direction: Monstera tends to grow toward the light source, so uneven lighting can cause it to lean.
• Lack of vertical support: Without a moss pole or trellis, the plant’s stems bend under their own weight.
• Weak stem strength: Young plants or those grown in poor conditions may lack the strength to hold themselves upright.

Natural Climbing Mechanism and Aerial Roots

Monstera’s aerial roots are essential for anchoring the plant as it climbs. These roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and nearby surfaces, helping the plant secure itself vertically. Encouraging the development of aerial roots by providing a climbing structure is a key step in keeping the plant growing upright rather than sideways.

By understanding these growth patterns, gardeners can better support their Monstera to thrive with a healthy, vertical habit.

Lighting for Upright Growth

Importance of Proper Light Direction

Monstera plants naturally grow toward the light, a phenomenon known as phototropism. When light comes predominantly from one side, the plant tends to lean or grow sideways to reach the brightest spot. To keep your Monstera growing upright, it’s crucial to provide balanced, indirect light from multiple angles or rotate the plant regularly to prevent leaning.

Ideal Light Conditions for Monstera

Monstera thrives best in bright, indirect light, mimicking the dappled sunlight of tropical forests. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light weakens stem strength, making sideways growth more likely. A spot near an east-facing window or filtered light from a south-facing window is optimal.

Tips to Encourage Vertical Growth with Lighting

• Rotate your Monstera every week to expose all sides evenly to light.
• Use grow lights with adjustable arms to provide consistent illumination if natural light is limited.
• Avoid placing the plant in dark corners or too close to windows with harsh, direct sunlight.

Proper lighting ensures the Monstera grows evenly, encouraging stronger stems and upright growth instead of sprawling sideways.

Balanced Watering Tips

The Role of Water in Monstera Growth

Water is essential for Monstera’s overall health and structural strength. Overwatering or underwatering can stress the plant, causing weak stems that are more prone to bending sideways. Maintaining a balanced watering routine supports sturdy, upright growth by ensuring the plant receives enough moisture without waterlogging the roots.

How to Water Monstera Correctly

• Check soil moisture: Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
• Use well-draining soil: A mix of peat, perlite, and bark helps prevent root rot by allowing excess water to escape.
• Water thoroughly: When watering, saturate the soil until water drains out the bottom of the pot, then allow it to dry before the next watering.

Signs of Improper Watering Affecting Growth

• Overwatering: Yellowing leaves and mushy stems can weaken support and cause leaning.
• Underwatering: Dry, brittle leaves and slow growth reduce stem vigor, making sideways growth more likely.

Consistent, balanced watering promotes healthy roots and strong stems, which are essential for keeping Monstera growing upright rather than sideways.

Picking the Right Pot

Why Pot Choice Matters for Monstera Growth

Choosing the right pot is crucial to support Monstera’s upright growth. A pot that is too small can restrict root development, leading to an unstable plant prone to tipping or sprawling sideways. Conversely, an excessively large pot can retain too much moisture, increasing the risk of root rot and weakening the plant’s structure.

Ideal Pot Features for Upright Monstera

• Size: Select a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current root ball to allow for healthy root expansion without overwhelming the plant.
• Weight and stability: Heavier pots made of ceramic or terracotta provide better stability, preventing the plant from toppling as it grows taller.
• Drainage: Ensure the pot has sufficient drainage holes to avoid waterlogging, which can weaken roots and cause poor structural support.

Potting Tips to Encourage Vertical Growth

• Use a well-draining soil mix to complement the pot’s drainage.
• Consider placing a stake or moss pole in the pot to help the Monstera climb and remain upright.
• Repot every 1-2 years to refresh soil and give roots room to grow, promoting stronger growth habits.

Selecting the right pot lays the foundation for a healthy, stable Monstera that grows upright rather than sideways.

Pruning to Maintain Shape

Why Pruning Encourages Upright Growth

Pruning is a vital practice to keep your Monstera growing upright and prevent it from sprawling sideways. By selectively trimming excess or unruly stems, you redirect the plant’s energy toward stronger, vertical growth. Regular pruning also improves air circulation and light penetration, which helps maintain overall plant health.

How to Prune Effectively

• Identify leggy stems: Remove long, weak stems that cause imbalance or crowding.
• Cut above nodes: Always prune just above a leaf node or aerial root to encourage new upward shoots.
• Remove damaged leaves: Trimming yellow or damaged leaves prevents disease and strengthens the plant’s structure.

Pruning Techniques to Shape Your Monstera

• Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to avoid infections.
• Thin out sprawling side shoots to maintain a central, vertical growth habit.
• Combine pruning with training by tying new growth to a moss pole or trellis for support.

Consistent pruning helps maintain your Monstera’s shape, promoting a strong, upright posture rather than sideways sprawling.

Temperature and Humidity Care

Optimal Temperature Range for Monstera

Monstera plants thrive in warm, stable environments with temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Temperatures below 55°F (13°C) can slow growth and weaken stems, making the plant more susceptible to sideways growth or drooping. Avoid placing your Monstera near drafts, heating vents, or air conditioners, as sudden temperature fluctuations stress the plant.

Importance of Humidity in Upright Growth

As tropical plants, Monsteras prefer humidity levels between 60% and 80%. High humidity keeps their leaves hydrated and stems firm, which supports upright growth. Low humidity can cause leaf edges to brown and stems to weaken, resulting in drooping or sprawling growth patterns.

Tips to Maintain Ideal Temperature and Humidity

• Use a humidifier or place a water tray near the plant to boost humidity indoors.
• Group plants together to create a microclimate with higher moisture.
• Monitor indoor temperature and humidity with a digital hygrometer to ensure stable conditions.

Maintaining warm temperatures and adequate humidity helps your Monstera develop strong, healthy stems and maintain upright growth rather than growing sideways.

Feeding for Stronger Structure

Why Proper Feeding Supports Upright Growth

Feeding your Monstera with the right nutrients is essential to develop strong stems capable of supporting vertical growth. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to weak, thin stems that bend or grow sideways. Providing balanced fertilization ensures vigorous leaf and stem development, enhancing the plant’s overall stability.

Best Fertilizers for Monstera

• Balanced, water-soluble fertilizers: Look for a formula with equal parts nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), such as a 20-20-20 mix.
• Slow-release fertilizers: These provide a steady supply of nutrients over time, reducing the risk of overfeeding.
• Organic options: Compost teas or diluted fish emulsion nourish the plant gently and improve soil health.

Feeding Schedule and Tips

• Feed your Monstera every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
• Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.
• Always water before fertilizing to prevent root burn and ensure nutrients are absorbed efficiently.

Regular feeding promotes robust, thick stems and lush foliage, helping your Monstera maintain an upright, graceful form instead of sprawling sideways.

Spotting and Solving Pest Issues

Common Pests Affecting Monstera

Monstera plants are susceptible to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects, which can weaken the plant’s stems and cause distorted growth. These pests often hide on the undersides of leaves or along the stems, making early detection crucial for maintaining upright growth.

Signs of Pest Infestation

• Yellowing or speckled leaves indicating spider mite damage.
• White, cotton-like clusters typical of mealybugs.
• Hard, brown bumps along stems or leaf veins caused by scale insects.
• Wilting or drooping stems that lose rigidity and grow sideways.

Effective Pest Control Methods

• Wipe leaves and stems with a mixture of mild soap and water to physically remove pests.
• Use insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays, which are safe and effective for indoor plants.
• Isolate affected plants to prevent infestation spread and monitor regularly.

Addressing pest problems promptly ensures your Monstera’s stems stay strong and upright, preventing sideways growth caused by weakened plant health.

When to Repot for Balance

Signs Your Monstera Needs Repotting

Repotting is essential to maintain your Monstera’s balance and prevent sideways growth caused by root crowding. Common signs include roots growing out of drainage holes, soil drying out too quickly, or the plant becoming top-heavy and unstable. If the pot wobbles or the plant leans consistently, it may be time to repot.

Ideal Timing for Repotting

Monstera plants benefit most from repotting every 1 to 2 years during the spring or early summer when growth is active. Repotting during this period allows the plant to recover quickly and establish a stronger root system, supporting upright growth.

Steps for Balanced Repotting

• Choose a pot slightly larger than the current one to allow room for root expansion without overwhelming the plant.
• Use fresh, well-draining soil to promote healthy roots.
• After repotting, provide adequate water and avoid direct sunlight for a few days to reduce transplant shock.

Timely repotting encourages a strong root base and balanced growth, helping your Monstera maintain an upright, stable form.

Wrap-Up

Keeping your Monstera from growing sideways involves understanding its natural climbing habits and providing the right care. Proper lighting, balanced watering, and choosing the right pot all play crucial roles in supporting upright growth. Regular pruning and feeding strengthen the plant’s structure, while attention to temperature, humidity, and pest control keeps it healthy.

By following these tips and repotting when needed, you’ll encourage a strong, vertical Monstera that enhances your space with its stunning, upright foliage. Consistent care leads to a beautifully balanced and thriving plant.