You bought a Monstera adansonii for those signature Swiss-cheese holes — and your plant is pushing out solid, hole-free leaves. Frustrating, but fixable. Fenestration (the holes) is driven mostly by light and maturity, and small changes make a big difference.
Quick Diagnosis
| What you see | Most likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| Small solid leaves on a young plant | Immaturity | Be patient, give light |
| Solid leaves + dim location | Not enough light | Brighter spot or grow light |
| Leggy vines, no support | No climbing structure | Add a moss pole |
| Slow, weak growth overall | Under-feeding | Feed in growing season |
Cause 1: Not Enough Light
This is the number one reason. Fenestration is energy-expensive, and a plant in low light simply cannot afford it, so it produces smaller, solid leaves instead. Adansonii want bright, indirect light for many hours a day. Move it right next to a bright window (not in scorching direct sun), and if your home is dim, a grow light reliably triggers fenestration where a dark corner never will.
More light is the single biggest driver of fenestration.
Check price on Amazon →See our guide to how much light houseplants need to judge whether your spot is bright enough.
Cause 2: The Plant Is Still Young
Juvenile adansonii leaves are naturally small and often solid. As the vine matures and each new leaf grows larger than the last, holes begin to appear. If your plant is young and growing well, time plus good light is all it needs.
Cause 3: No Support to Climb
Adansonii is a climber. Given a moss pole or trellis, it produces noticeably larger, more fenestrated leaves because climbing signals the plant to mature. Left to trail, leaves often stay smaller. Add a support and train the vines upward.
Cause 4: Underfeeding and Overall Vigor
A plant that is barely growing will not fenestrate. Make sure it is actively pushing new leaves — feed lightly during spring and summer and keep it consistently watered so it has the energy to produce big, holey leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what size do adansonii leaves start getting holes?
Often once leaves exceed a few inches and the plant is established — but light is the bigger factor than any exact size.
Will existing solid leaves grow holes later?
No. A leaf's shape is set when it unfurls. Focus on making the next leaves fenestrate by improving light and support.
Does a moss pole really help?
Yes. Climbing encourages the mature leaf form, and growers consistently see larger, more fenestrated leaves on supported plants.
Bottom Line
If your Monstera adansonii has no holes, give it more light first, then add a moss pole and let it mature. Those three levers — light, support, and time — turn solid leaves into the Swiss-cheese look you wanted. For complete care, read our Monstera adansonii care guide.
