---
title: "Hi, I received my Monstera as a gift about two years ago. It still…"
description: "Hi, I received my Monstera as a gift about two years ago. It still hasn't produced fenestrated leaves but I was told it doesn't do that until it gets older. Is…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA/VAw7HRpgNYyMtoJ9bE34NC"
community: "Monstera Maniacs"
author: "My Leafy Life"
published: "2026-02-17T19:49:29.411999Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/monsteraManiacs.jpg"
---

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# Hi, I received my Monstera as a gift about two years ago. It still…

_Posted by My Leafy Life on 2026-02-17_

Hi,

I received my Monstera as a gift about two years ago. It still hasn't produced fenestrated leaves but I was told it doesn't do that until it gets older. Is that true?

Another question: I was using general potting soil and just switched to a Monstera soil. Based on what I read, it should be a soil with chunky orchid bark and coco coir What soil do you all use for your Monsteras?

## 9 comments

### The Standkes commented on 2026-02-17

Fenestration is more about the amount of sun the plant gets vs age. I had monstera instantly start fenetrating once it was in the sun fully

In terms of soil. I use a mix of orchid bark and general potting soil

#### My Leafy Life replied on 2026-02-17

Right now I keep it in a West facing window because it's such a big pot but I can move it to my east facing window on my desk. It'll probably get in the way a bit but, if it's going to be better for it, it's worth it. We don't have any South facing windows in our house unfortunately.

### Aroidmama commented on 2026-02-17

Age does make a difference but the amount of light is critical once it’s old enough to have fenestrations. They should get bright indirect sunlight. However, they do enjoy some early morning sunlight once acclimated.

#### My Leafy Life replied on 2026-02-17

Oh. I replied above that it's in a West facing window so it gets bright indirect light all day. We have a porch so the bright sun, once it's on that side of the house, doesn't hit it. Plus, we have opaque vinyl clings on the lower half of the windows (it keeps the dog from barking) so it gets bright light as the sun lowers.

#### Aroidmama replied on 2026-02-17

😍 perfect

### Aroidmama commented on 2026-02-17

Oh for soil, I love “Molly’s tropical”or make my own. Coco coir, orchid bark, perlite, vermiculite, horticultural charcoal, worm castings, and a mycorrhizal inoculante.

### IvyPlanter08 commented on 2026-02-17

I am using Grow Queen aroid mix. Since transplanting all of my aroids in it, they've been taking off!

### Rose commented on 2026-02-20

Getting a different kind of moss pole (an actual tube filled with moss) will help give it something to root into and climb. My monstera is only about 6 months old and has 3 fenestrated leaves already.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/bv2At5W1-3PrP0eUWtpCqPYNDip_ueX5hi6EI6vK_cs/Ngcfc-AASzibiuysYxMkEw.webp?size=large)

#### My Leafy Life replied on 2026-02-20

I just bought four poles, added them, and now it's time to wait and see. There are a few nodules on stems so I hope these new poles help.

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