How Much Light Does a Swiss Cheese Plant Need?

The Swiss Cheese Plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a houseplant known for its large, split leaves. These splits, called fenestrations, are a sign of a mature plant whose development is heavily influenced by light. Providing the correct lighting is the primary way to cultivate a thriving Monstera with its signature appearance.

Ideal Lighting Conditions

Monstera deliciosa thrives in bright, indirect light. This mimics the plant’s native environment on the floor of tropical forests, where it receives sunlight filtered through the canopy of taller trees. Indoors, this translates to light that is bright enough to read in but without the sun’s direct rays hitting the leaves. The goal is to provide this filtered light for at least five to eight hours daily.

Direct sun can scorch the leaves, while low light will inhibit growth and prevent leaf fenestrations. A practical way to identify bright, indirect light is to observe the shadows in a room. A spot with this lighting will have soft, indistinct shadows, not the sharp, defined shadows created by direct sun.

Achieving this condition often involves placing the plant near a window but not directly in the sun’s path. A sheer curtain can diffuse light from a sunny window. The intensity of natural light changes with the seasons, so you may need to adjust the plant’s position throughout the year, especially during winter months.

Signs of Improper Lighting

Observing your plant’s leaves and growth patterns is the most effective way to gauge if its lighting needs are being met. The foliage provides clear signals when the light is either insufficient or excessive.

Too Little Light

When a Monstera does not receive enough light, its growth becomes “leggy.” This describes the plant stretching towards a light source, resulting in long, thin stems with significant space between the leaves. New leaves that emerge may be small, weak, and will lack the characteristic splits or fenestrations. Its overall growth will slow considerably, and the leaves can develop a paleness or lack of vibrancy.

Too Much Light

Exposure to excessive direct sunlight can be harmful. The most common symptom is sunburn, which appears as yellowing leaves or dry, brown patches on the foliage; these scorched spots are permanent. The leaves might also look droopy or wilted, even if the soil is moist, or they may curl at the edges to reduce their surface area exposed to the sun.

Best Indoor Placement

The best indoor location for a Monstera provides consistent, bright, indirect sunlight. An east-facing window is often ideal, as it provides several hours of gentler morning sun that is not intense enough to cause harm. A plant can be placed directly in or near such a window.

Windows facing south or west receive much stronger, direct sun, particularly in the afternoon. If you have a south or west-facing window, place your Monstera several feet away from the glass. Another option is to hang a sheer curtain to filter the light. A north-facing window provides the least amount of light and may not be sufficient unless it is very large and unobstructed.

Using Artificial Grow Lights

For spaces lacking adequate natural sunlight, artificial grow lights are an effective alternative for growing a healthy Monstera. They can be used to supplement natural light or serve as the plant’s primary light source. A full-spectrum LED grow light is recommended as it mimics the range of natural sunlight plants use for photosynthesis.

When using a grow light, position it above the plant at a distance that provides broad coverage without concentrating too much heat on the foliage. Run the light for 12 to 14 hours each day to simulate a natural day-night cycle. This ensures the plant receives a consistent amount of light energy to support vigorous growth and leaf development.