Thank you! I was barely paying attention to it during the first picture (Aug 2024). The second pic is Nov 2025, so it took a year and some change of diligent watering once or twice a week. I used houseplant fertilizer once a month at the beginning of 2025. But I think what pushed her into this lucious phase was moving her away from the window and closer to a wall with good sunlight exposure! Moss/support poles and repotting definitely helped too :)
Yes this exactly. The first photo was right before moving the plant to a new apartment so it didn’t stay in front of that particular window for much longer after that. After I moved, half of it was getting direct sunlight in front of a window. I moved it against this wall and away from other plants, and now the whole plant is getting more sunlight all over rather than direct on one side. Lmk if that makes sense
I’m curious if you cut it at all and repotted a specific way? I have a very tall monstera with a lot of big leaves, but she’s also very spindly like your first picture.
Congrats on the transformation!
Yes! I cut yellowed and browned leaves. I repotted it twice, prob like 4-5 months in between, each progressively bigger. The one it’s in now is pretty big but I’m not sure on the size in inches probably 18-24 inches, so the plant has a lot more room/soil to marinate in
How many moss poles did you use and what size were they? Did you have to cut it back any? I have a slightly leggy monstera that's really starting to do better, but it's got like 5 stems and the general advice seems to be to cut all but 1-2. I want mine to fill out and look lush like yours though, not get tall.
I used four but as it grew it needed more support so I opted for a mix of the moss poles and green branch-like support poles from Amazon. I use one tall moss in the middle and the branch-like poles around the plant. I cut back quite a few as it grew! I was too scared to cut all of the droopy ones at first 😅 so I waited until new ones started growing.
I just moved mine to a sunnier spot, too. She just wasn't doing anything. So, off to the west facing window she went, hopefully, she will perk up soon! Thanks for the inspiration.
In your after photo, it looks like all the petioles stick up instead of out! Did the leaves move that way or did the leaves sticking out more horizontally end up dying off?
My monstera takes up so much horizontal space and would love if it had a dense look like yours!
I cut off a majority of the horizontal ones. You can see in the after photo a few leaves that are still droopy/horizontal. Those are ones that I didn’t cut off because they weren’t horribly brown/yellow. The plant grew new stalks/leaves that shot right up vertically
Oh, I'm patient. I have chronic illness. I have been a foster parent for animals, too. I also crochet, paint, and garden. I used to quilt and antique, and all my hobbies involve time and dedication.
When I encourage a new houseplant hobbyist, I tell them to take their time and really experience it. To get to know the plant because they will take better care of them. Then, the hobby will also provide more health benefits. I'm well prepared for the long haul. I want it to be happy.
i have a Soltech Vita grow light in the same lamp you have in pic 1 - is it a Globe Electric one from Amazon? it works really well with a grow light because of the height
Gorgeous!! What did you do for such a great turnaround?
Thank you! I was barely paying attention to it during the first picture (Aug 2024). The second pic is Nov 2025, so it took a year and some change of diligent watering once or twice a week. I used houseplant fertilizer once a month at the beginning of 2025. But I think what pushed her into this lucious phase was moving her away from the window and closer to a wall with good sunlight exposure! Moss/support poles and repotting definitely helped too :)
So good to know, mine looks like the first and she is right up against the window. Thanks!!
You moved him from a place that was very bright to a place that was less bright?
I think OP’s phrasing is a little confusing, but this is a monstera that is definitely getting more light in its new spot.
Yes this exactly. The first photo was right before moving the plant to a new apartment so it didn’t stay in front of that particular window for much longer after that. After I moved, half of it was getting direct sunlight in front of a window. I moved it against this wall and away from other plants, and now the whole plant is getting more sunlight all over rather than direct on one side. Lmk if that makes sense
Yup! I’ve rehabbed a couple monsteras from the scraggly state and it’s all about the window placement 😂 sometimes it just clicks!
Truly!!! I honestly didnt know it’d turn out this way when I moved it. I was just looking for more floor space lol
I’m curious if you cut it at all and repotted a specific way? I have a very tall monstera with a lot of big leaves, but she’s also very spindly like your first picture. Congrats on the transformation!
Yes! I cut yellowed and browned leaves. I repotted it twice, prob like 4-5 months in between, each progressively bigger. The one it’s in now is pretty big but I’m not sure on the size in inches probably 18-24 inches, so the plant has a lot more room/soil to marinate in
Did you use fertilizer in the winter months too?
Good question!
How did you fix her?!? Asking for a friend.
It's me.
Mine looks like Monty in reverse. 😞
I need to do this for my Monstera. She’s soooo sad right now. All droopy and has several yellowing leafs 💔
I gasped! Great job!
Thank you!! I gasped when I saw the old photo! I didn’t even recognize the plant lol
How many moss poles did you use and what size were they? Did you have to cut it back any? I have a slightly leggy monstera that's really starting to do better, but it's got like 5 stems and the general advice seems to be to cut all but 1-2. I want mine to fill out and look lush like yours though, not get tall.
I used four but as it grew it needed more support so I opted for a mix of the moss poles and green branch-like support poles from Amazon. I use one tall moss in the middle and the branch-like poles around the plant. I cut back quite a few as it grew! I was too scared to cut all of the droopy ones at first 😅 so I waited until new ones started growing.
Omg! Ours is named Monty too 💚💚💚
My succulents' names are Vivian, Veronica, Vanessa, Valeska, and Vera.
They all sound like that girl 💅 ✨
👏
You go girl 🤌🏻
Great job🤩!
I need to get a moss pole for mine…
Those new leaves are so satisfying.
Agreeeee. She’s grown 3 new big ones and 2 little baby ones since the beginning of December!
I'm so happy for you both!!!
I just moved mine to a sunnier spot, too. She just wasn't doing anything. So, off to the west facing window she went, hopefully, she will perk up soon! Thanks for the inspiration.
Of course!!! Be patient too, this was her after just two months after the start of the turnaround. It definitely took some time
https://preview.redd.it/sdqw71kwwzcg1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f771c7dbfeb6f7abd535afc359010e42ad4eb6e8
In your after photo, it looks like all the petioles stick up instead of out! Did the leaves move that way or did the leaves sticking out more horizontally end up dying off?
My monstera takes up so much horizontal space and would love if it had a dense look like yours!
I cut off a majority of the horizontal ones. You can see in the after photo a few leaves that are still droopy/horizontal. Those are ones that I didn’t cut off because they weren’t horribly brown/yellow. The plant grew new stalks/leaves that shot right up vertically
Oh, I'm patient. I have chronic illness. I have been a foster parent for animals, too. I also crochet, paint, and garden. I used to quilt and antique, and all my hobbies involve time and dedication.
When I encourage a new houseplant hobbyist, I tell them to take their time and really experience it. To get to know the plant because they will take better care of them. Then, the hobby will also provide more health benefits. I'm well prepared for the long haul. I want it to be happy.
Absolutely! You got it :) hoping for speedy recovery for your Monty!!
Looks great, super healthy leaves 🍃!!
very nice turnaround!
i have a Soltech Vita grow light in the same lamp you have in pic 1 - is it a Globe Electric one from Amazon? it works really well with a grow light because of the height
so there is hope for mine! lol what a great turnaround, she looks lovely
Glow up!
Gorgeous!!
Award worthy accomplishment! They are so so stubborn!
Beautiful 💚
Omg mine’s named Monty, too!!!
Beautiful! I named mine Monty as well 😊😊
That is utterly amazing and I now have hope for my poor crazy monstera.
Awesome ...she is in her element..thriving♥️
Monty is a fighter and I love him
What does the plant use the moss pole for?
Mine looks like your first pic rn idk what to do 😩
Looking good Monty!