Monstera plants are a beautiful addition to any home, and they are known for their large leaves and impressive vines. Recently, many people have been asking why their monstera plant leaves have fewer and fewer fenestrations, or why their once variegated leaves are now all green.
In this blog post, we will discuss the reasons why this may be happening and what you can do to prevent it. Let’s jump into it…
Why Are Variegated Monstera Leaves Reverting?
This is either due to a survival tactic or another mutation. When a plant is stressed, it will often revert back to its original form in order to survive.
This could be due to a change in environment, such as moving from a shady spot to a sunny one. It could also be caused by too much or too little water, fertilizer, or even temperature changes.
You see, the monstera may revert if it needs a competitive advantage. Variegated monstera plants are vulnerable, so by reverting back to all green it’s gaining a better chance at survival.
The biggest reason for a monstera to lose variegation is due to a lack of sunlight. If your monstera is not getting enough light, it will slowly start to revert.
How Can I Prevent It?
The best way to prevent your monstera from reverting is to give it the proper care it needs. Make sure it’s getting enough sunlight, water, and fertilizer.
Pay special attention to the amount of light it’s getting. If it’s not getting enough, move it to a brighter spot where it will receive a few hours of indirect sunlight each day.
A good place for a monstera is near a window where it will receive bright, indirect light. If you live in a particularly sunny climate, you may need to provide some shade for your monstera during the hottest hours of the day.
Grow lights are a great option if you can’t provide enough natural light. I like using these full-spectrum grow lights because they provide the full spectrum of light that plants need to grow.
Just make sure to place your monstera about 12-16 inches away from the grow light to prevent it from getting too much heat, which could lead to leaf scorch.
You should also check the temperature of the room it’s in. Monsteras like warm temperatures, so if it’s too cold it may trigger a reaction that causes the plant to revert.
Why Are Monster Fenestrations Reverting?
Monstera plants stop producing fenestrations when they are stressed, and the most common stressor is a lack of light. If your monstera isn’t getting enough light, it will slowly stop producing new leaves with fenestrations.
You see, fenestrations have a purpose to help the plant filter light. But if the plant isn’t getting enough light, it doesn’t need to filter as much and will eventually stop producing fenestrations altogether.
Other stressors that can cause a monstera to stop producing fenestrations include too much or too little water, fertilizer, or temperature changes.
How Can I Prevent It?
The best way to prevent your monstera from reverting back to non-fenestrated leaves is to give it enough sunlight. Monsteras need a few hours of indirect sunlight each day to thrive.
Just like with the variegation issue, you can also use grow lights to provide the full spectrum of light that plants need. Use grow lights to supplement the natural light if your monstera isn’t getting enough.
When using grow lights (Amazon link), it is important to start with a high-quality light fixture and position it close to the plant. The good news is that there are many great options on the market these days, so you should be able to find something that works for you.
You should also check the temperature of the room it’s in and make sure it’s not too cold. Warm temperatures are best for monsters, so if it’s too cold it may trigger a reaction that causes the plant to revert.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your monstera plant is reverting back to all green or non-fenestrated leaves, it’s likely due to a lack of light. The best way to prevent this is to give it enough sunlight and use grow lights if you can’t provide enough natural light.
By following these tips, you can help your monstera stay healthy and prevent it from reverting back to its original form. Do you have a monstera that has reverted back to all green or non-fenestrated leaves? Share your story in the comments below!
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
