Monsteras do not do well in the cold. In fact, you must never grow Monstera in an area where the temperature falls to or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you let your Monstera grow in temperatures below 55 degrees, the plant may suffer serious harm or perhaps perish.
The Monstera is typically grown indoors because it is not cold-hardy. But you might be able to cultivate the plant outside if you reside somewhere with milder winters. The Monstera plant may grow in zones 10 and 11 of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.
The Monstera must be cultivated indoors if you live outside these zones. This does not preclude you from bringing the Monstera plant outside. In fact, on bright spring and summer days, gardeners frequently bring their Monstera outside.
Can I take my Monstera outside?
On warm days with a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, monsteras can be grown outside. Your Monstera won’t handle temperatures below this or if they could start to fall quickly, therefore you shouldn’t ever take the plants outside in those conditions.
When placed outside on warm spring, summer, or fall days, monstera plants can benefit from the fresh air. This is particularly true during summertime downpours when there is normally higher-than-normal humidity. If you choose to transport the Monstera plant outside, just make sure it is shielded from the sun’s rays.
The Monstera plant will typically be alright if it is placed on a porch that is covered. Find a spot that isn’t in direct sunlight if you decide to bring the plant and its container outside. For instance, the Monstera will benefit from protection and safety while outdoors if it is placed in a shady area beneath a tree canopy.
Will frost damage my Monstera?
Frost can kill the Monstera plant in addition to harming it. Because they are from tropical rainforests, monsteras cannot withstand frost or extremely cold temperatures. In fact, leaving the Monstera outside during cold spells is one of the quickest ways to kill it.
The ideal temperature for monstera plants is at least 60 degrees. The plant should be left at those low temperatures for a long time even though it can live in temperatures as low as 55 degrees.
If you’re just going to let your Monstera plant get harmed by frost, what’s the point? Although growing the Monstera plant is not difficult, it does require warmer temperatures. If you are unsure about keeping this plant at these higher temperatures, think about buying a plant that can survive outdoors in your region.
You can find out which plants can withstand your particular climate by consulting the USDA Hardiness Zone map. This means that even during the winter, those plants can flourish outdoors in your region. They won’t need you to keep the temperature constant like Monstera plants do.
How much heat can Monstera stand?
Because monsteras are tropical plants, a cold home environment may be detrimental to them. The Sill claims that the ideal temperature for a monstera is between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and that it should never drop below 60 degrees.
Can Monstera survive the winter outside?
A well-known indoor plant, the Monstera deliciosa, is prized on Instagram for its exquisite leaves and lovely form. But this plant originates in Central and South American tropical jungles. Monsteras can find warm temperatures and a lot of humidity in their natural habitat. Can a Monstera deliciosa therefore survive and grow outside in your region?
The climate of the area where you live affects a Monstera’s capacity to survive outside. An ideal location for a Monstera is one with a USDA hardiness zone of 10 to 12. A Monstera outside won’t be possible in places that frequently freeze, although it might be possible in the summer.
This article will address some of the most often asked questions about caring for a Monstera outside, such as how to plant it in the ground, if it is invasive, and how to move an indoor plant outside during the warmer months.
How is Monstera maintained throughout the winter?
Make sure your Monstera Delicioia plant has enough drainage for the winter and pay special attention to avoid overwatering it. Winter is a dormant season for Monstera Deliciosa, therefore fertilize it about every two months at a strength of half. Use a humidifier, a water bowl, or leave the shower door open to maintain high humidity levels.
37°F: too chilly for plants?
Eek!! The forecast calls for evening lows at or below freezing with frost! What shall I do?
The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to help protect your plants against cold conditions. Remember that a frost is different from a freeze. Additionally, following a frost in the fall, some crops, such as beets, parsnips, and carrots, only get sweeter to taste.
Know Your Frost Dates
Priorities first! Always keep in mind the first and latest frost dates that often occur in your area.
The first day of the year that a frost occurs is regarded as the first frost date as the fall weather begins to cool. The first freeze date of the year will come as the weather cools further, typically a week or two later (this is what kills most annual plants). The first freeze day and first frost date in Missoula are both in the middle of October.
The average last frost date is the first day of the year we may anticipate a frost when the weather starts to warm up in the spring. The last frost date in Missoula is May 18.
These dates are typically correct but by no means exact because they are based on historical meteorological data that was gathered over a 30 year span. Be diligent, keep an eye on the forecast, or set up a weather app alert to be notified when the nightly lows change. Use the four techniques listed below to temporarily safeguard your plants when temperatures are predicted to drop to near or below freezing.
Assess: How Bad Is It?
Plants are harmed by temperatures at or below freezing for longer periods of time than just a single day. Similar to how lower temperatures are tougher on plants than those at or near freezing, really cold temperatures that linger for several hours are significantly harder on plants than those that are at or near freezing for only an hour or less. When assessing the seriousness of the weather report, bear this in mind along with a few of the crucial definitions listed below.
When the temperature is forecast to drop to between 36 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a frost advisory is issued.
When there is at least an 80% likelihood that the temperature will drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, a freeze warning is issued.
The majority of plants are severely harmed by a severe or harsh freeze, 25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
How cold is 42 degrees for plants?
Being able to cultivate vegetables in your own garden is great. However, you must exercise caution when planting the vegetables. I conducted research to find out how much cold these plants could withstand and have included the results below.
The ideal temperature for a vegetable garden is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Your vegetable garden’s roots, leaves, and fruits could be damaged by frost that forms in the garden due to this temperature. If the temperature drop is only momentary, you can still safeguard your food crop.
The temperatures at which the plants in your vegetable garden would survive are described in much more depth below. Additionally, I’ve provided advice on how to shield your plants from a brief drop in temperature.
When ought I to bring my Monstera indoors?
Despite belonging to the Araceae family and going by the common names monstera, Swiss cheese plant, and windowleaf, the split-leaf philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) is not a philodendron at all. While monstera deliciosa, a native of Mexico and Central America, can be grown outside in temperate areas, it cannot withstand frosts and subfreezing temperatures. Monstera is typically cultivated in containers so that you may bring it indoors when the weather drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12.
How should I proceed if Monstera freezes?
Because monsteras dislike being chilled, you should always endeavor to keep your plant safe from damage from the cold. If your plant does freeze, relocate it to a place that is moderately warm, cut off any damaged stems or leaves, and then watch for the plant to recover.
Is my Monstera too chilly, and how can I tell?
For monstera plants to be healthy, disease-free, and able to keep growing, the correct conditions must be provided.
You will see symptoms of health issues in your monstera if the environment is not quite correct. The ambient temperature in the area where Monstera plants are grown is important for their ability to flourish, together with the right amount of light, water, soil, and fertilizer. For recently propagated Monstera plants, this is equally crucial.
Signs Your Monstera’s Environment Is Too Cold
A monstera plant that has experienced a cold shock will stop growing, making it easy to identify (until it recovers). You might also see wilting, a loose root ball, drooping foliage, blackened or yellowing leaves, brown patches, or other deterioration.
Signs Your Monstera’s Environment Is Too Hot
Since hot indoor temperatures are uncomfortable for people as well, it is unlikely that your monstera plant will be subjected to them.
However, if a monstera plant receives excessive amounts of direct sunshine, the leaves may become burnt and develop brown and dry areas.
Signs Your Monstera’s Environment Is Too Dry
Insufficient humidity in an indoor environment causes monstera plants to grow with dry, brown, and crispy leaf tips. In addition, you can see that the potting soil dries out quickly in between waterings.
Signs Your Monstera’s Environment Is Too Humid
Monstera plants prefer a setting with a fair amount of humidity. However, especially in places with inadequate air circulation, plants might be exposed to excessive humidity.
They are unable to remove moisture from their leaves in these circumstances, which is a crucial step in their transpiration process. A plant exposed to excessive humidity will eventually rot.
There may be too much moisture in your plant if:
- drenched leaves that are intertwined
- rotten plants and/or potting soil
- Root decay
- fuzzy stem
- drooping, yellowed leaves
Monstera may be outside.
Numerous other names for the monstera deliciosa include the Swiss cheese plant, split leaf philodendron, and Mexican breadfruit. One of the most recognizable leaves in the design industry may be found on this enormous floor plant. Its “Swiss cheese” moniker relates to the recognizable splits and holes in its leaves, while its “breadfruit” moniker alludes to the fruit’s corn-like appearance.
Monsteras have a lengthy history in both interior decorating and fine art. Pictures of the monstera leaf are frequently printed on pillows, mounted on walls, and even suspended alone in a glass vase.
Native to Central America, the monstera can be found in the rainforests from Mexico to Panama. In the same family as popular houseplants like peace lilies and ZZ plants, monsteras are an arum. If you reside in zones 10 or 11, a monstera deliciosa can be grown outdoors. To find out more about the various zones, look at the USDA’s map of plant hardiness zones.
How can you tell whether your Monstera is content?
How can you prevent your Monstera from drowning? We’ve discussed a little bit about how to avoid overwatering it. Once you get to know your Monstera and understand all of its behaviors, you’ll notice lots of indicators that it needs water. Some of them may not come as a surprise because the indications that a Monstera needs watering are also quite similar to those that other plants exhibit.
Your Monstera’s Soil Is Dry
The primary indication that a Monstera needs watering is dry soil. A Monstera deliciosa shouldn’t thrive in arid conditions, despite the fact that it’s vital to allow the soil dry up a little bit between waterings. Although too-dry soil won’t immediately kill a plant, it will hinder its capacity to grow effectively.
Since every plant and indoor environment is unique and can necessitate a different amount of time between waterings, routinely testing the soil will enable you to determine when your Monstera needs to be watered. Using your finger is the simplest method for doing this!
If the soil is dry after sticking your finger in it for about an inch, water the plant. Don’t water your Monstera just yet if it’s moist or still wet.
Your Monstera is Leaning Over
Although it is an unusual indicator, I have observed a leaning Monstera in my collection. An underwatered Monstera will begin to sag in a manner that causes the leaves to droop, which is similar to wilting. On a little Monstera, this is much simpler to see, although it can be seen on bigger plants as well.
Always examine the soil before watering because leaning plants might occasionally be an indication of a different problem, such as overwatering. Never add more water when the earth is damp; dry soil indicates that it is time to water.
Your Monstera should bounce back within a few days after receiving a thorough watering if the cause of drooping is too little water. As much stress as possible should be avoided allowing the Monstera to become this dry as it will stunt the plant’s growth.
Your Monstera’s Leaves are Curling
Leaf curling is just another sign that a Monstera needs watering. The leaves of a Monstera that needs water will start to curl inward, making them appear smaller and less wide.
This is a temporary problem that almost always goes away with some time and some good watering! If the soil is dry, check it and give it a nice, thorough watering. Within a few days, the leaves ought to resume their regular state.
If they don’t, there might be another problem going on. Before watering once more, take some time to run a diagnostic.
Your Monstera’s Leaves are Brown, Yellow, or Dead
An alarming sign may be the yellowing of your Monstera’s leaves. Dark green, waxy leaves are present on a healthy, happy Monstera (though younger plants or new leaves may be lighter green).
Some discoloration is expected because older Monstera leaves gradually turn yellow and drop off as they become older. However, you have an issue if you notice many sections of the plant with yellow, brown, or dead leaves or new leaves.
In addition to underwatering, additional issues that might cause leaf discoloration include overwatering, excessive or insufficient sunshine, or parasites. Don’t water the plant right away; instead, take the time to inspect it for any signs of these issues.
Although older growth will occasionally die off, you should take immediate action if any leaf loss is accompanied by other symptoms like drooping or discolouration. The first step should always be to assess the soil for moisture level. Water the soil deeply if it is dry. Look for indications that your plant may have been overwatered if the soil is wet.
Your Monstera Isn’t Putting Out Fenestrated Leaves
With adult Monsteras that haven’t started fenestrating or that produce leaves with holes in them, a lack of fenestration can become a problem. Fenestrations are nearly always a sign that the plant is not receiving enough light.
This can occasionally be brought on by inadequate sunlight. Examine the surroundings of the plant to rule that out. Monsteras require six to twelve hours a day of bright indirect sunlight. Try transplanting the plant to a brighter location if it isn’t receiving this much light.
Set a smart alarm to remind you to inspect the soil if lighting isn’t the issue and you think your Monstera needs extra water. This will assist you in forming the practice of routine plant maintenance. You can establish the ideal watering balance by making sure the soil is moist enough many times per week. Be careful not to overwater, though!