---
title: "I’ve had my monstera for 3+ years and in that time I’ve only had one…"
description: "I’ve had my monstera for 3+ years and in that time I’ve only had one fenestrated leaf. Can someone please tell me what I could be doing wrong??"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/vWtlv0Gitav1MWpWqhMmAm"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Beth"
published: "2026-09-03T14:10:08.406447Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/everythingHousePlants.jpg"
---

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# I’ve had my monstera for 3+ years and in that time I’ve only had one…

_Posted by Beth on 2026-09-03_

I’ve had my monstera for 3+ years and in that time I’ve only had one fenestrated leaf.  
Can someone please tell me what I could be doing wrong??

## 7 comments

### Amateur plant mama commented on 2026-09-03

Is she getting enough sun and food? I've found mine loves a lot of sun. He's in a southern window about a foot back and has a grow light.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/es2tSIImtdvEuKVukyFuAsXemXldi71xolTNc0c3liU/Hm-iPUWYQ5Sjb_GgmYzIHg.webp?size=large)

#### Beth replied on 2026-09-03

So beautiful ! I do always make sure she’s in part shade but always near a window.  
I do cut some of her stems now and again when I’m worried that the smaller leaves aren’t growing.  
I actually have never fertilised her though

### Heather commented on 2026-09-03

If your plant is the small one attached to the post I’m agreeing that it is needing a lot more light. The leaves a really small and the plant itself is leggy. Since you keep it in partial shade it is stretching out looking for more light. Either move I to a much sunnier location or put it under a plant light. But either way, make the transition gradual. Even if it wants more light, a sudden change from shade to sun can cause leave scorch or worse.

#### Beth replied on 2026-09-03

Okay! I’ll transition her into the living room.  
We have a south facing apartment so it’s very bright in both the bedroom and living room so I’ve just sorta kept her in the corner shade in fear it’d burn.  
Thanks!

#### Amateur plant mama replied on 2026-09-03

You can keep it a foot or so back from the window to prevent burns.

### Waspinator commented on 2026-09-03

Being securely connected to a pole can help; most climbing plants do bigger leaves when they think they're on a tree and smaller ones when they're searching for something to grab

#### Beth replied on 2026-09-03

I’ve just bought a moss pole! I’ll try that instead of the bamboo. Any suggestions how to get the plant to start wrapping around the pole?

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