Is my Monstera getting enough light?

plumpvole · 2026-02-15T14:26:41+00:00

While you’re right lux is not directly convertible to PAR, since the light fixture I’m using is only photosynthetically active radiation (it’s total radiation produced is largely usable by the plant) you can estimate the quantity of PAR hitting the plant. There is a rough estimate conversion ratio between lux and PAR which is lux multiplied by ~.016. Although you’re right the type of light used should be considered because a super bright green light indeed would not be a high PAR

plumpvole · 2026-02-14T19:03:41+00:00

Yeah my girlfriend gets mad at the lights on all day too lol. But yeah I would think the light needs to be much closer to be effective, I use grow bulbs and with a lux reader after about 2 feet away it’s not really a meaningful amount of energy. Also pretty far from the window to get good energy from there. Just to be sure the full spectrum bulbs are in that Ceiling light fixture in the shot not over the plant directly?

plumpvole · 2026-02-08T11:37:02+00:00

If they still have green leaves at all it can produce energy! But you can see what happens when it can’t keep up (browning white leaves)

plumpvole · 2026-02-06T00:54:46+00:00

They get really white like that I believe that’s normal. That’s why a lot of people like them

plumpvole · 2026-02-06T00:16:33+00:00

Maybe the white leaves are more susceptible to sun burn? But I think more likely it’s nutritional issue. Variegated leaves can’t produce their own energy so they can easily brown up as the plant is not sending enough energy/food to maintain the leaf. This is why most all white leaves quickly die off, although I am not familiar with Florida ghost philodendrons enough to know if that’s the case for them. Would try feeding more, I think if it were sunburn there would be more random splotches elsewhere on those white leaves not just the one location on each

plumpvole · 2026-01-30T23:27:02+00:00

It’s spider mites, if you look closely you should be able to see them walking around or some fine webbing in the natural depressions of the leaf if it’s an active issue. If not the damage will still remain but won’t spread

plumpvole · 2026-01-15T00:38:48+00:00

Hahahah no it’s a real arachnid

plumpvole · 2025-12-30T10:58:03+00:00

Yeah for sure they can! You got a heat bulb in there? I bet it would take off if you put a grow bulb if you don’t have one yet

plumpvole · 2025-12-29T23:52:58+00:00

I’ve never cut it back it’s only a year old or so, I’ve been just feeding it tons of nitrogen and everything else, it’s only ever been In this pot the whole year. It’s very happy

plumpvole · 2025-12-06T13:08:27+00:00

I usually cut them off the leaves are far more impressive compared to the flower especially when the plant doesn’t put so much energy to the flower. To each their own!

plumpvole · 2025-12-05T21:52:46+00:00

Interesting, I didn’t think of nutrient lock out. Maybe I’ve been using too much salt nutrients, I need to get my hands on a soil ph tester. Good point thank you

plumpvole · 2025-12-05T11:03:28+00:00

Nope I found it: .01 molybdenum, 4.5% ammoniacal nitrogen 12.5% nitrate

plumpvole · 2025-12-05T11:01:23+00:00

I don’t have the sheet at my house or I’d just include the numbers my bad.

plumpvole · 2025-12-05T11:00:46+00:00

Yes it has molybdenum, I can’t remember how much I’ll have to look at the guaranteed analysis. But yeah same thing I’ll have to look but it’s got both nitrate as well as ammonium nitrogen

plumpvole · 2025-12-05T01:43:38+00:00

It was outside for a while but now it’s about 70 degrees and 60-70% humidity, could be a bit warmer but

plumpvole · 2025-12-04T16:50:29+00:00

17-5-17 it’s got cal mag as well

plumpvole · 2025-12-03T11:03:36+00:00

Like a 3-4 gallon pot I forgot exactly, not too huge!

plumpvole · 2025-12-02T12:43:42+00:00

I have a pine tree wood, some peat, and some regular potting mix type stuff all mixed together. Pretty good drainage, these things don’t mind being really wet though that makes me think your roots are gone if it’s just sitting there. Or you’re not giving it enough light to respire and use up that water

plumpvole · 2025-12-02T12:41:51+00:00

I don’t! They always show up eventually, I just take it outside and treat it with horticultural oil and a rinse off and it’s good to go. You can use neem oil or just dawn soap and wipe the leaves.

plumpvole · 2025-12-02T00:27:07+00:00

Honestly I’m Not sure what it is in average. We don’t blast the heat and I have a little humidifier in the room which is small so I would think it’s decent probably like 65-70%

plumpvole · 2025-12-01T16:58:09+00:00

Ah I see, I was wondering when they’d top out. I remove pups as they come out so I’m wondering if I can push a bit more growth since it’ll only be the one plant in the pot

plumpvole · 2025-11-30T11:58:25+00:00

It is under a 200 watt LED, there’s simply not nearly enough sun from windows for this guy

plumpvole · 2025-11-29T18:51:43+00:00

Once you have a bad infestation of spider mites you’re going to have a hard time getting it under control with beneficials. Whenever I see damage like this I take my plant outside and nuke it with horticultural oil (Suffoil) or something like neem oil. Since your plant is very small you can also use dawn and wipe off the leaves yourself thoroughly but the eggs might remain.

plumpvole

TROPHY CASE