If you’re like many gardeners, you may already be familiar with the gorgeous tropical Monstera deliciosa plant. Its unique foliage and showy split leaves make it a standout among other houseplants. What’s more, this tropical beauty has adaptable characteristics which makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced green-thumbs alike. But keeping your Monstera happy requires proper knowledge of its care needs and maintenance tips.
Luckily we’ve got all the information you need to keep yours looking lush and vibrant all year round! In this blog post on how to care for monstera, we’ll cover everything from ideal light conditions to proper fertilizing regimens when caring for your Monstera – so grab your gardening gloves, let’s get started!
Monstera Care Overview
| Botanical Name | Monstera |
| Common Name | Swiss cheese plant, Split-leaf philodendron |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Monstera |
| Mature Size | Up to 10-20 feet tall |
| Soil Type | Well-draining, moist soil |
| Soil pH | 5.5 and 7 |
| Native Area | Rainforests of Central and South America |
| Temperature | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Light | Bright, indirect light |
| Watering | When the top inch of soil has dried out. Avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to fully dry up |
| Humidity | 60-80% |
| Fertilizer | Once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings or by Air layering |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and humans if ingested |
How to Care for Monstera Plants?
Monstera need proper care if you want them to grow well. Here are some tips on how to take good care of your Monstera plants:
Light Requirements
When it comes to light requirements for Monstera, bright but not Direct sunlight is the way to go. Straight sunshine should be avoided cause it can make the leaves of the plant to burn. A window with light curtains or a spot that gets filtered light will work great. If your Monstera doesn’t get enough light, its leaves may start to turn yellow and fall off. On the flip side, too much light can cause brown spots or edges to form on the leaves. Keep an eye out for these signs and adjust your Monstera’s light as needed.
Related: Monstera Sunburn: What to Do if Your Plant Gets Too Much Sun
Soil
For the best soil for Monstera, you gotta have a mix that is full in nutrients and also lets water flow well. The best way to achieve this is by using a store-bought potting mix and adding a bit more perlite or vermiculite to help with the water flow.
You can also whip up your own soil mix by combining equal parts of peat moss, perlite and sand. But don’t use soil that’s too heavy and holds too much water cause this can lead to rotten roots. Soil for Monstera needs to be well-draining and able to provide the necessary goodies needed for good growth.
Watering
To get the best results, use warmish water to water your Monstera plant. Water it good until it begins to drip from the bottom of the pot. Get rid of any excess water that pools in a saucer or tray beneath the pot after about 10 minutes. Avoid getting the leaves wet as this can lead to leaf dots and other issues.
During the growing time (spring and summer) water your Monstera plant regularly, letting the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. During the slower growth period in fall and winter, you can reduce watering frequency but be sure not to let the soil dry up. Give it a good drink about once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Remember to never overwater your monstera plant, as this can lead to rotten roots and other problems. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry and be sure to get rid of any excess water that pools in a saucer or tray beneath the pot after about 10 minutes.
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Temperature
When it comes to temp, Monstera plants like it warm. They do well in normal room temps between 65°F (18°C) and 85°F (29°C). During the cooler winter months, they can handle slightly lower temperatures but don’t let them near cold drafts or quick changes in temperature which could hurt the plant. Temp changes should be avoided, cause they can stress your Monstera or even kill it. Make sure that your Monstera is kept in an area where temp stays steady and warm for good growth.
Humidity
Monstera plants thrive in warm and damp places, so it’s important to make sure your home provides the best dampness for a healthy plant. The humidity level should ideally be between 60% to 80%, although some species may handle lower levels. If the air in your home is too dry, you can make it more humid by misting the plant’s leaves with water, placing a tray or dish of water near the plant, or using a humidifier. If your Monstera is not getting enough humidity, its leaves may start to curl or get brown ends. Providing the right wetness will ensure your Monstera stays healthy and happy.
If you’re not sure what the humidity level is in your home, get a hygrometer to measure and keep an eye on it. This small gadget will help you keep track of the levels and change it if needed. The humidity level can also be affected by certain things like showering or boiling water, so keep in mind how these can impact your Monstera’s environment.
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Fertilizer
When fertilizing your monstera plant, make sure you use a balanced liquid fertilizer. There are different kinds of fertilizer and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) ratios, so you gotta pick the right one for your plant. A balanced all-purpose fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 is the best bet for monstera plants.
If you’re using a granular fertilizer, use half the amount they say and mix it in with the soil. Feed your plant once a month during the growing season and don’t fertilize when it’s dormant or during winter. You gotta make sure not to go overboard; too much fertilizer can make salt pile up in the soil, which is bad news for your plant. Fertilizing with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer is a great way to give your monstera plant the good stuff it needs for green and bushy growth.
Repotting
Start by gently taking your monstera out of its old pot. Give it a little shake to get the old soil off and rinse the roots to get rid of any leftover soil. Cut away any messed-up or dead roots before moving it into its new pot. Pop a layer of fresh potting mix at the bottom, followed by your monstera plant. Chuck in more soil around the roots and pat it down to make ’em safe.
Give your monstera plant a good drink after repotting and place it somewhere with indirect light and good air flow. Keep an eye on how wet the soil is and water when you gotta, but be careful not to drown it. Repotting can be a tough time for your plant, so make sure to watch for signs of trouble in the next few weeks.
Related: How and When to Repot Monstera to keep your plant happy
Pruning
Pruning’s real important for a monstera plant. It helps you manage how big and what shape it gets and can help keep it looking healthy. You should do it every few months, using sharp scissors or pruners to cut back any wild stems or leaves. This will make your plant grow new stuff and make sure it doesn’t get too crazy big.
Pruning will also help get rid of any yellow or brown leaves, making it look better. Prune in spring and summer for the best results and make sure to clean your pruners before and after using them to keep diseases away. Pruning can also help make sure air gets through the plant, which is important for its health. You can see more how to prune monstera at http://famiplants.com/how-to-prune-monstera/.
Toxicity
Although Monstera plants are super pretty and popular as indoor plants, it’s really important to remember that if they’re eaten, they can be bad news for both pets and people. There’s stuff called calcium oxalate crystals in Monstera’s leaves and stems, and eating them can mess up your mouth, throat, and stomach and cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. Monstera poisoning can make both humans and animals drool, barf, have diarrhea, and have trouble breathing.
You gotta keep these plants where kids and dogs can’t reach them to lower the risk of Monstera poisoning. If you have Monstera plants in your house, keep an eye on any kids or pets playing nearby and teach them to keep their hands and mouths off the plant. Maybe think about not having Monstera plants if you have pets or little ones who like to explore and munch on stuff.
It’s crucial to get medical help or vet care super quick if someone or some pet eats Monstera plant stuff. You should ring up your vet ASAP if you think your pet might have eaten Monstera. You should get in touch with your local poison control center or get medical help if someone eats Monstera.
In the end, it’s important to keep Monstera plants out of the reach of children and pets ’cause they can be bad news if swallowed. Get help fast from a doc or vet if someone does eat Monstera. You can still enjoy how pretty Monstera plants are while keeping your loved ones safe by doing what you gotta do.
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Monstera Propagation
Here’s how to propagate Monstera plants step by step:
- Pick a Monstera plant that’s good-looking and grown-up, with a few grown leaves and nodes. Nodes are little bumps on the stem from which new stuff can grow.
- Prepare a cutting by chopping a section of stem with at least one leaf and one node with a sharp, clean knife or pruning shears. The length of the cut should be 6-8 inches.
- Remove any leaves from the stem’s bottom 2-3 inches, leaving only one or two leaves at the top of the cutting.
- To boost root growing, dip the cut end of the steminto rooting hormone powder. This step is optional, but it can aid in the root growing.
- Plant the cutting in a pot or a jar of water with soil that drains well. Make a hole in the soil with your finger and gently insert the cutting, then tamp the soil around it to secure it in place if planting in soil. If you’re going to use water, put the cutting in a jar with enough water to cover the bottom 2-3 inches of the stem.
- If you’re going to use water, change it every few days to prevent bacteria growth and promote healthy root growth.
- Place the cutting in a warm, bright location that receives indirect sunlight. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to burn or the soil to dry out.
- After a few weeks, gently tug on the stem to check for roots. If you encounter resistance, the cutting has formed roots and can be transplanted into a larger pot with soil.
- Keep giving soft, bright light and keep the new plant watered enough. It may take several months for the plant to get fully grown, but with patience and care, your Monstera plant will flourish!
You may also like: How To Propagate Mini Monstera (Rhapidophora Tetrasperma)?
Monstera Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Scale insects on monstera, mealybugs, and spider mites on monstera can all harm monstera plants. Use bug soap or neem oil to get rid of these pests. Regularly check your plant for infestation symptoms like webbing, white or yellow spots on the foliage, or sticky buildup. The bug problem can be stopped from spreading to other plants with early discovery and treatment.
Monstera plants can get root rot, which is caused by too much water or poor drainage. Yellowing leaves, withering, and squishy roots are symptoms of root rot. You should take your Monstera out of its pot, cut out any diseased roots, and repot it in new, soil that drains well if you have any reason to believe it has root rot.
The yellowing or browning of leaves on Monstera plants is another frequent issue. Several things, like not enough sun, bad humidity, or too much or too little water, might contribute to this. You should carefully assess the way you look after your plant to fix this problem and make any needed changes. If the issue continues, you might need to chat with a plant expert or bring a sample of your plant to a local plant shop for analysis.
Related:
- Monstera Leaves Turning Yellow
- Why Is My Monstera Drooping?
- 15 Common Monstera Problems With Pictures & Solutions
- Common Monstera pests
Conclusion
In conclusion, Monstera plants can survive and thrive in a range of interior conditions. You can enjoy the lovely foliage of this common houseplant by giving it bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, regular water, and moistness. While keeping an eye out for pests and plant diseases will help you stop and solve any problems that may happen, regular pruning and propagation can also help you maintain the size and health of your Monstera.
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