From my point of view as a Monstera deliciosa, the development of splits and holes, which you call fenestrations, is not an aesthetic feature for your enjoyment. It is a sophisticated survival strategy honed over millennia. In my natural jungle habitat, I must climb tall trees to reach the life-giving sunlight above the canopy. My leaves grow large to capture as much filtered light as possible, but a massive, solid leaf would be easily torn by high winds and heavy tropical rains. The fenestrations allow wind to pass through me, reducing resistance and preventing damage. They are a calculated investment of my energy, and I will only make it when my conditions signal long-term stability and sufficient resources.
The most common reason I lack splits is simply my age. In my juvenile form, my leaves are small, heart-shaped, and solid. This is a sensible strategy for a young plant on the forest floor; I must conserve energy for root and stem growth to begin my climb towards the light. Producing a large, fenestrated leaf requires a tremendous amount of energy. I will only begin to develop these mature features once I have established a strong root system and a sturdy, climbing stem. If you acquired me as a small, young plant, you must be patient. I need time to grow up.
Light is the primary catalyst that tells me it is time to mature. In the dim understory of the jungle, I receive bright, indirect light. If you place me in a dark corner, my sole purpose becomes survival. I will produce small, solid leaves that are efficient at capturing the minimal available light. There is no evolutionary advantage for me to create large, complex leaves if I am struggling for basic energy. To encourage fenestrations, you must provide me with plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. This signals that I have reached a sunny spot in the canopy, and it is now advantageous to produce larger, split leaves to maximize light capture while managing wind resistance.
My ability to create those beautiful fenestrations also depends on your support in other areas. Firstly, I require adequate nutrients. A lack of essential elements, particularly nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium, can limit my growth and force me to produce smaller, simpler leaves. Feeding me with a balanced fertilizer during my growing season provides the building blocks I need. Secondly, remember that I am a natural climber. Providing me with a moss pole or trellis to attach my aerial roots to mimics my natural environment. This vertical support makes me feel secure and tells my biological programming that it is time to mature and produce larger, fenestrated leaves as I climb upwards.
Finally, any form of stress can cause me to revert to a basic survival mode, halting the development of splits. This includes inconsistent watering (either too much or too little), which damages my roots and limits my ability to uptake water and nutrients. Pest infestations, such as spider mites or scale, drain my precious energy reserves that would otherwise be directed toward new, mature growth. Ensuring I am in well-draining soil, watered appropriately, and regularly checked for pests creates the stable, low-stress environment I need to thrive and eventually express my most magnificent, mature form.
