Ever seen a swiss cheese plant? Sometimes they can be more hole than leaf! Holes in the leaves have an important biological function for certain plants, and it's important to understand how that can change how you care for them. Some plants might not have holes, but have slits instead (think the typical monster plant). They are both called fenestrations, and they’re actually a sign your plant is doing well!

Let’s dig into what fenestrations are and why some plants develop them.

What Are Fenestrations?

Natural holes and slits in the leaves are called fenestrations; they can also be smaller perforations in a plant’s leaves. If you're interested in this funky word, it comes from the Latin word fenestra, meaning “window.” So cute right?! 

What plants have fenestrations? 

We love that fenestrations give a sense of texture to plants. They're commonly found in climbing plants like your monster species. Pick one of the plants below, and enjoy some extra texture and interest with some seriously cool fenestrations:

• Monstera deliciosa (aka the Swiss cheese plant)
• Monstera adansonii (the one with lots of small holes)
• Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (sometimes called mini monstera)
• Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (formerly Philodendron selloum)

If you’ve got one of these, it's common that smaller leaves will start completely solid, and as the plant gets older and stronger, holes will start to develop in the leaves.

So Why Do Plants Make Fenstrations?

There's a few theories around why some plants have these types of holes or slits in their leaves. These are:

1. Fenestrations Let Light Through

In the rainforest, these plants grow in thick jungles where light filters through the canopy. The plants climb up trees to reach the little amount of light that makes its way below the trees. By having holes in the leaves, the plant is letting light filter through the top leaves to the lower ones. It’s a clever way to make sure all parts of the plant can photosynthesize (aka make food from sunlight).

2. Fenestrations Can Help With Wind Resistance

If you're ever had a Bird of Paradise in a wind storm, you'll know leaves can act like sails in a storm and suddenly shred by big gusts. Holes and slits in the leaves allow the wind to pass through easily, so the plant is less likely to get torn or damaged in strong weather.

3. Fenestrations Help With Rain Drainage

Those holes might also help water drain off more easily, so the leaves don’t get too soggy or heavy during tropical rainstorms. (Nature’s version of a built-in umbrella!). This is just a theory from scientists; honestly a lot of these plants love a bit of rain on their leaves, but its a decent theory!

 

How Do I Encourage My Houseplant To Get More Fenestrations?

There's a few things you can do to encourage a hole-y plant. Here's what they are:

🌿 Give it more light – Bright, indirect light is key. When your Monstera is sitting in a dull area, it might not feel like putting in the extra energy to fenestrate. You should invest in a stake and go Instant Sun Grow Lamp to encourage healthier growth.

🌿 Let it climb – In nature, plants like Monstera grow up trees. Give them a moss pole or support to climb, and you might see more mature leaves develop.

🌿 Be patient – Fenestrations come with age. As your plant grows, it’ll naturally start to show more leaf drama.