When young, they are plants for a table. These Monsteras expand in both height and width as they mature. Mine is now growing in a grow pot that is 6 inches in diameter and 22 inches tall. Though still quite young, it already occupies a sizable portion of the table!
They develop into floor plants as they mature. Just be aware that they need room in terms of width.
Size
They are frequently offered in pot sizes 6, 8, 10, and 14. The larger the pot size, the wider the plant is because the leaves are so enormous. The tallest 1 in a house I’ve ever seen is 6 tall by about 4 wide.
Evergreen vines are what monsteras are categorized as. They might be trained to climb a moss-covered pole or piece of wood, for example.
Growth Rate
moderately quick These are robust and active growers. I’m from Tucson, Arizona, where it’s sunny and pleasant all year round. for around eight months of the year. Mine expands quickly.
In the cooler months, growth drastically slows down for all indoor plants. Additionally, the growth rate will be slower in lower light circumstances.
Close Relatives
Because I have one of these sprouting in my house and you might too, I’m including it here just for fun. The common houseplants pothos, anthurium, arrowhead plant, peace lily, and Chinese evergreen belong to the same plant family as the Monstera.
Does Monstera prefer large pots?
Unquestionably, one of the most well-known indoor plants in history is the monstera deliciosa. The characteristic leaves are frequently seen in movies, video games, and printed on at least three pillows at your neighborhood home goods store. In addition to being a true fashion classic, it is also a very resilient and adaptable plant. We delve into the requirements for caring for this plant in this article.
Other names for Monstera deliciosa include “fruit salad plant,” “elephant ear plant,” and “swiss cheese plant.”
When should I water my Monstera deliciosa?
During the warmer months of the year, wait until the soil has dried to at least 50% of its depth. Allow the soil to totally dry up before watering in the winter.
How much light does a Monstera need?
Although they can withstand medium to low light, monstera prefer bright light. A decent test is a room with enough light to read a book by. They will develop more quickly and larger the more light they receive.
When should I fertilize my Monstera?
Mid-Spring to mid-Autumn, apply a liquid fertilizer every other time you water. You can fertilize your plants every time you water them if they are growing quickly in the summer. Fertilize not during the winter.
Should I re-pot my Monstera?
The majority of indoor plants are content to grow in small containers and will even profit from being somewhat root-bound. There is never a rush to increase the size of your pot until all the soil has had roots grow through it, just an inch or two.
Light
It is preferable to place your Monstera in the brightest area possible when it is cultivated indoors. A excellent place to start is with enough natural light to comfortably read a book. Make sure your plant doesn’t receive too much afternoon sun in the summer to avoid burning it. Even while a location may be ideal throughout the year, on a day with a temperature of +40°C, the heat and light may be too much for the plant to take.
Monstera may thrive in low-light conditions, however the smaller the leaves are, the less fenestration there will be to grow.
Fenestration refers to the distinctive holes that make a monstera leaf so simple to recognize. Faster growth, bigger leaves, and more fenestration will occur as a result of increased light levels.
Watering
The majority of indoor plants are vulnerable to overwatering. During warm weather, we advise you to water this plant just after the top half of the soil has dried out. Try to let the soil dry up almost completely over the winter.
Depending on the time of year, the location of the plant, and the flow of air, this will take two to four weeks. Please be aware that this is the shortest length of time you can wait; especially in the winter, you can wait much longer!
In severe circumstances, overwatering this plant can cause root rot, darkened leaf tips, and even plant death. However, if you skip watering for a week or two, the plant may not even notice or may simply wilt, giving you a very clear indication that it’s time to water.
Fertiliser
As a plant with a potential for rapid growth, monstera will undoubtedly profit from routine applications of liquid fertilizer. Every second cycle of watering throughout the warmer months of the year—spring and summer—can include some fertilizer. If your plant continues to develop during the winter, you could consider reducing the intensity of your fertilizer and using it less frequently.
Although products made from seaweed, like Seasol, are low in the essential elements for development (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), they are excellent soil conditioners and helpful for avoiding hydrophobia and pot shock.
Repotting
Monstera enjoy being crammed within their containers. Regardless of the size of the pot, they will grow enormous. Your monstera won’t grow any bigger or faster if you put it in a big pot; most likely, all the extra damp soil will cause root rot, or your monstera will focus more energy on growing roots than leaves. It is preferable to concentrate more on a pot that complements your aesthetic while repotting and to use that pot for a few years.
It’s better to repot during the warmer months of the year if you do decide to do so. Be cautious to plant it in a container with sufficient drainage (at least one big drainage hole). The soil may dry up a little bit quicker if you choose to use a porous terracotta pot, which can be quite beneficial in preventing over-watering. A premium potting mix is an excellent place to start, but a cacti/succulent mix or even chunky orchid mix works great to help with drainage. Monstera flourish in a well-draining potting mix.
Propagation
After a year or two, Monstera deliciosa’s size as a vine can become painfully obvious. This plant will spread across the ground and climb trees in the wild. You might need to stake the plant as it gets bigger in order to sustain this sprawling epiphyte and keep it standing erect. You can take a clip from the lead portion of the stem if you think the plant is getting too long. This will stop the stem’s growth and promote new shoots to emerge from the lowest parts of the plant.
The cutting can either be submerged in water or planted in wet ground. A node should be present on the stem of your stem cutting for about one inch. If the cutting already has an aerial root, it will grow considerably more quickly. Don’t worry if your cutting loses its leaves; they are not at all necessary because the stems can photosynthesise.
Common Problems
Overwatering is the most frequent problem that you may encounter. This will result in wilting, root rot, blackened leaf tips, and frequently white mold on the soil. Check to see if your pot is emptying and if you are watering excessively. Once it is dried, stop watering it again! In extreme circumstances, you might replace the moist soil with dry soil or move the plant outside into a covered area to hasten the drying process. Simply wait. Although this plant is unbreakable, it will take some time. A lot of good airflow will be quite beneficial.
If your plant isn’t getting enough light, it will grow long, lanky, and floppy to help it reach a potential light source. The internodes will be longer and the leaves will be more sparse. Stake the plant and/or relocate it to a more sunny area. It must be a permanent shift; periodically moving the plant into a light area would not work.
The most frequent pests are mealybugs, scale, and gnat flies, but I have never found M. deliciosa to be particularly vulnerable to insect invasion. The best course of action is to manually remove them to halt the spread right away, and then obtain a solution like neem oil, which will eradicate a variety of unpleasant creatures while being extremely safe and non-toxic.
Outdoors Care
When Monstera is outdoors, it is ideal to keep it in a semi-sheltered area. Try to locate a location where they are protected from the wind, frost, and hot afternoon sun. It should be mentioned that Monstera deliciosado does not need warm temperatures or high humidity. Although they will develop more quickly in the warmth, they can stay outside throughout winter in Melbourne. They will benefit much from the morning sun, which is completely OK.
This is the ideal place to start if you’re looking for a plant for your balcony or courtyard. This plant will grow quickly thanks to the additional bright light and the great airflow. Increased airflow around the plant will help to lower the risk of overwatering and the likelihood that viruses may infect the plants. I’ve discovered that in this posture, the leaves will also grow bigger and have more fenestration. You’re welcome to plant one right away in a garden bed!
What size pot should I use for my Monstera?
It would also be preferable if you avoided planting your Monstera in a pot that is too tiny. Following are some indicators that your Monstera is ready for a new pot:
- The plant topples over or is unstable.
- The leaves are thirsty and drooping.
- The soil no longer retains water or dries up too rapidly.
- You can see roots sticking out of the pot’s bottom.
Living in a pot that is too small can cause root crowding, stunted growth, and underwatering, especially when Monstera is young. Find a bigger pot now!
A seasoned Monstera accepts a little pot-boundness. Keeping your Monstera in the same-sized pot will stop it from growing as quickly once it reaches a large size and you don’t want it to become any bigger.
It will still require attention to prevent becoming very pot-bound. Every year in the early spring, you can trim the roots and top-dress your Monstera with new soil.
How to choose the perfect pot size
When repotting, select a pot with a diameter that is 2 inches (5 cm) greater than the existing size. This is just enough to allow the roots to spread and flourish, but not too much that a too-large pot will cause the soil to get soggy.
Does the height of the pot matter?
The ratio of height to depth is generally not dramatically different between pots. When it comes to the pot’s depth, monsteras are not very choosy.
Make sure the pot for your Monstera has enough depth to prevent a stake or moss pole from tipping over.
Will Monstera enlarge in a larger container?
Because monstera roots are constantly expanding, they must occasionally be replanted, especially if you want to create a giant plant. Making ensuring your Monstera is not root-bound is crucial. It’s time to locate your Monstera a new home if you see the roots beginning to circle around the bottom of the pot or poke out the drainage holes.
Choose a pot with drainage holes that is one to two sizes larger than the existing one. Giving the roots room to move around in a larger-than-before pot can help your Monstera grow stronger and bigger.
Do monstera plants require deep pots?
Monsteras make excellent indoor plants. Their ability to grow nicely under diverse situations is one of the main factors contributing to their appeal. They can be a little finicky, though, about not being overwatered. Planting your plant in the proper container with the proper soil is the simplest approach to prevent unintentionally giving it too much water.
Monsteras must be kept in soil that doesn’t retain a lot of moisture because they are sensitive to overwatering. You can either make your own free-draining potting mix or purchase one online or from a retailer. Monsteras require a pot that isn’t too big and has drainage holes so that any extra water can be drained.
Trying to find the best potting soil can be daunting, and thinking about blending your own can be much more perplexing. For advice on what to think about when choosing pots and soil to maintain your Monstera looking its best, continue reading.
When should my Monstera be repotted?
Low upkeep is required when caring for monstera plants. The interior of the plant must be at least 65 °F (18 °C) heated, preferably higher. Swiss cheese plants also require a lot of humidity and somewhat moist soil. A wooden or moss-covered pole placed in the center of the pot will offer the additional support that the aerial roots require.
Every year when the plant is young, repotting cheese plants is done to promote development and aerate the soil. Increase the size of your containers until you reach the biggest pot you intend to use. After then, the plant need a fresh top-dress of rich soil every year but can survive being root-bound for a number of years at a time.
Repotting Monstera is best done in the early spring before the plant develops new leaves.
How can I tell whether my Monstera plant requires a larger pot?
In your home, monsteras can live a long life and develop into large, stunning eye-catchers. Normally, I’d advise repotting once a year, increasing the size of the container until the plant reaches the ideal size.
The first sign to repot a Monstera is when it’s outgrown its pot.
Repotting is necessary when the houseplant gets root-bound, which occurs when roots start to grow around the pot’s drainage holes and may be seen pushing up through them. If the roots of a smaller or younger Monstera are visible through the bottom of the container, it is definitely time to upgrade the container. To ensure that the roots continue to grow healthily, you should relocate the containers as soon as possible. Your Monstera needs more room as it gets older, just like people do.
The second sign to repot a Monstera is when the soil has been depleted.
If you press strongly with your finger in one location, water will be discharged from below, or it will start to look dry and dusty on top. This indicates that the plant’s roots are in need of moisture and are running out.
Even after the swiss cheese plant has grown to fill its lifetime pot, it’s still wise to change the soil about once a year to give it a burst of new nutrients. However, because of their high adaptability and hardiness, these plants can survive in the same soil for a number of years. It’s a good idea to add fertilizer all year long, even if you replace the soil every year. Making your own fertilizer is a simple and affordable way to enrich your container with nutrients.