The Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is a popular houseplant known for its large, fenestrated leaves and tropical appearance. While it naturally grows into a climbing vine, many plant lovers prefer a bushy, fuller look rather than a leggy or sprawling plant.
To achieve a bushier Monstera, you’ll need to use proper pruning, training, and care techniques. This guide will show you how to encourage more leaf growth, control its shape, and create a lush, thriving Swiss cheese plant.
Why Does a Swiss Cheese Plant Become Leggy?
Before making your Monstera bushy, it’s important to understand why it may become leggy:
- Lack of light – Insufficient sunlight causes the plant to stretch toward the light.
- No pruning – Without trimming, the plant grows taller instead of producing side growth.
- No support – Monsteras naturally climb, so without support, they may grow long and unruly.
- Poor soil or nutrients – A lack of proper nutrients can slow growth and make the plant look sparse.
Now, let’s explore the best methods to encourage a fuller, bushier Swiss cheese plant.
1. Prune Regularly to Promote Bushiness
How Pruning Helps
Pruning is one of the best ways to encourage new growth and a bushier shape. By cutting back certain parts of the plant, you stimulate side shoots and additional leaves.
Best Time to Prune
- Spring and summer – The growing season is the best time to prune, as the plant will recover quickly.
- Avoid winter pruning – Growth slows down in colder months, making it harder for the plant to regenerate.
How to Prune a Monstera
- Use sharp, sterilized shears to prevent infection.
- Identify leggy or overgrown stems that need cutting.
- Make clean cuts above a node (the bumpy part on the stem where leaves grow).
- Trim yellowing or damaged leaves to redirect energy to healthy growth.
After pruning, new stems will sprout from the nodes, leading to a fuller plant over time.
2. Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. If your plant doesn’t get enough light, it will grow long and leggy instead of developing dense foliage.
Ideal Lighting Conditions
- Near a window with filtered light (east or south-facing is best).
- Use sheer curtains to diffuse direct sunlight, preventing leaf burn.
- Rotate the plant weekly to ensure even light exposure.
If natural light is insufficient, consider using a grow light to supplement.
3. Train Your Monstera with a Moss Pole
Since Monsteras are natural climbers, they grow best with a support structure. A moss pole or trellis helps direct their growth upward and outward, preventing a messy, sprawling shape.
How to Use a Moss Pole
- Insert the moss pole into the pot near the plant’s base.
- Gently tie the stems to the pole using soft plant ties.
- Mist the moss pole regularly to encourage aerial roots to attach.
This technique helps guide growth while keeping the plant looking full and structured.
4. Encourage Side Growth with Strategic Cuts
Besides general pruning, you can cut specific parts of the plant to promote side shoots.
How to Do It
- Cut above a leaf node – This encourages growth from the sides.
- Trim tall stems – Removing the tallest stems forces energy into lower growth.
- Pinch new growth tips – This helps the plant focus on branching instead of just growing taller.
With regular cutting, your Swiss cheese plant will develop multiple stems, creating a bushier look.
5. Repot When Necessary
A root-bound Monstera may struggle to grow properly, leading to sparse foliage. Repotting ensures the plant has enough space to spread its roots and grow fuller.
When to Repot
- Every 1-2 years or when roots start growing out of the drainage holes.
- If the soil dries out too quickly, the plant may be root-bound.
Best Soil Mix
Monsteras prefer a well-draining, nutrient-rich mix:
- Peat-based potting soil – Retains moisture while staying airy.
- Perlite or orchid bark – Improves drainage.
- Compost or worm castings – Provides essential nutrients.
Repotting into a slightly larger container promotes new root and leaf growth, leading to a fuller plant.
6. Fertilize for Healthy, Lush Growth
Regular feeding ensures your Monstera has the nutrients it needs to produce more leaves and stay bushy.
Best Fertilizer for Monsteras
- Balanced liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) – Apply every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer.
- Organic options – Compost tea, fish emulsion, or worm castings.
When to Fertilize
- Spring to early fall – Fertilize regularly to support active growth.
- Reduce in winter – Growth slows down, so excessive feeding isn’t necessary.
Proper fertilization enhances leaf production and keeps the plant lush and full.
7. Maintain Proper Watering Habits
Watering plays a key role in keeping your Monstera healthy and bushy.
How to Water Correctly
- Check soil moisture – Water when the top 2 inches feel dry.
- Avoid overwatering – Too much water can lead to root rot.
- Use room-temperature water – Cold water can shock the roots.
Keeping the right moisture balance prevents stress and encourages steady, full growth.
8. Propagate for a Bushier Look
If your Monstera still looks sparse, propagation is a great way to create more growth from existing stems.
How to Propagate
- Take a cutting with at least one node and a leaf.
- Place the cutting in water or moist soil until roots form.
- Once rooted, plant it back in the same pot to add fullness.
This method helps thicken the overall appearance of the plant by adding new stems to the base.
Making your Swiss cheese plant bushy requires a combination of pruning, proper lighting, training, repotting, and feeding. By following these steps, you’ll encourage healthy growth, more side shoots, and a fuller appearance.
With patience and consistent care, your Monstera will transform into a lush, tropical statement piece that enhances any indoor space!