From our perspective, the development of holes and splits, scientifically known as fenestrations, is not a decorative choice but a critical survival strategy. We, Monstera species, evolved in the understory of dense tropical rainforests. Our seedlings begin life in deep shade on the forest floor. Our initial leaves are small, whole, and heart-shaped (cordate), optimized to capture the maximum amount of scarce, filtered light. As we climb towards the canopy using our aerial roots, we encounter new challenges: stronger winds and heavier rains. Large, solid leaves would act like sails and parachutes, catching the wind and risking severe damage or uprooting. The fenestrations allow these powerful forces to pass through us, significantly reducing mechanical stress and preventing tears.
You are observing a perfectly normal stage in our life cycle. A young Monstera plant is in its juvenile phase. Our primary biological imperative at this stage is not to create beautiful fenestrations but to establish ourselves. Our energy is intensely focused on building a strong root system to anchor us and absorb water and nutrients, and on producing chlorophyll-rich leaf tissue to fuel our growth through photosynthesis. A solid, un-fenestrated leaf is actually more efficient for a small plant close to the ground, as it provides a larger, uninterrupted surface area to capture every available photon of light. Developing complex fenestrations requires significant energy and a level of maturity we have not yet achieved.
The single most important environmental cue that tells us it is time to start producing fenestrated leaves is light intensity and quality. In our natural habitat, the development of splits coincides with our ascent out of the deep shade and into brighter, dappled light. The increased photosynthetic energy we gain from this brighter location provides the surplus resources needed to engineer the more complex fenestrated leaves. If we are kept in a light level that we perceive as "forest floor" conditions—low and indirect—our survival logic dictates that we should continue producing the simpler, more efficient juvenile leaves. There is no evolutionary advantage for a small plant in the shade to have holes; it would only reduce its photosynthetic capacity.
While light is the primary trigger, other factors support our overall health and therefore our ability to mature and express our genetic potential. Adequate water and proper nutrition are fundamental. We require a well-draining substrate that keeps our roots moist but not waterlogged, as oxygen deprivation in the root zone causes immense stress and halts growth. Regular feeding during our growing season with a balanced fertilizer provides the essential building blocks, particularly nitrogen for leaf development and potassium for overall physiological functions. Furthermore, having a suitable structure, like a moss pole, to climb signals to us that we are in an environment where vertical growth is possible, which can further encourage the development of larger, mature fenestrated leaves.
