When Monstera deliciosa is young, it typically grows vertically on a small number of stems, but as it becomes older and heavier, it begins to grow horizontally. It may startle new plant owners to discover that their once-vertical house plant is beginning to occupy an increasing amount of horizontal space.
By using a support like a moss pole, coco coir pole, trellis, or stakes, you can train your Monstera to grow upward. However, given that Monsteras can acclimate to climbing on various supports, you also have other possibilities.
How can you control a wild Monstera?
A: I appear to be more successful at growing plants than memorizing their scientific names, but perhaps you can decipher my inquiry from your response. The problematic plant started out as what I initially believed to be a split-leaf philodendron, but it soon began to grow erratically, more like a vine, and its more recent leaves are gigantic. It was praised by a friend, who casually remarked, “What a wonderful monstera.” What do you believe I possess, and how can I train it?
A-You most likely have a Monstera deliciosa, an aroid that resembles philodendrons so much that, in its early phases of development, it is actually referred to as Philodendron pertusum in the trade. It sounds like your plant is in great health because the newer leaves have grown significantly larger than the older ones.
Giving monstera a moss totem to climb is the best approach to train it to become a house plant. These are available at garden centers, or you can create your own by rolling a tube of chicken wire with an inch-mesh 36 or 48 inches long and 4 inches in diameter. Put moistened long-strand sphagnum moss inside. Coax the monstera stem up and around after anchoring it in the pot. Incorporate ties as required.
The monstera will root into the moss totem and grow to be even more frugal if you water and mist it frequently enough to keep it moist. One of the toughest indoor plants that has the potential to become a family pet is this one. Try to arrange it such that electric and natural light will create patterns in the shadows cast on the walls and ceilings. A plant with huge cut leaves might provide you with this particular delight.
To maintain the leaves free of dust and naturally lustrous, monstera and the large-leaved philodendrons we cultivate indoors can both benefit from at least a monthly rain. These plants frequently grow too big to relocate since they keep individual leaves for extended periods of time; as a result, instead of showering, use a damp cotton cloth or paper toweling to wipe the leaves clean.
Rather than climbing, Philodendron selloum grows more like a bush. One of the most common huge cut-leaved foliage plants, selloum, is frequently required to endure less than optimal living conditions. It requires warmth, evenly moist soil, and bright sunshine for the greatest growth. A little direct sunlight is good for northern regions, especially in the fall and winter. Any of these philodendrons or monsteras with pale or meager new growth are in need of much more light. They may survive in darkness for weeks, even years, but healthy, powerful growth requires enough light.
I’d like to know more about hydrangeas. My plants produce lovely leaves, but they haven’t blossomed in a while.
In general, A-Hydrangeas bloom on fresh growth from the preceding growing season. Make sure you just prune the winter-killed sections of the plant in the spring. It is beneficial to pile up a lot of leaves on the bushes in regions where the temperature frequently falls below 20 degrees, which may then be secured by fencing them in with chicken wire. After the first fatal frost, do this.
A-Neither. Although they both initially give the leaves a gloss, milk and mayonnaise block the pores and stop regular transpiration. My house plants’ leaves are kept clean by giving them a water bath, or by wiping them with a soft cloth or paper towel that has frequently been rinsed in warm water and wrung out. Ivory Liquid or another liquid detergent is added to the water if any insects are found, such as tiny spider mites, larger brown scales, or cottony white mealybugs.
A-You are weakening the gardenia till it eventually dies, but generally not before being attacked by a terminal mealybug attack. This habit causes the soil to get excessively dry between waterings.
Apply lukewarm water to the soil’s surface going forward until it starts to run into the saucer. Allow it soak for about 30 minutes; if all of the water from the saucer is absorbed, add one or two more cups. The root ball must be wet from top to bottom. When the soil feels slightly damp at the surface but before it is completely dry, water it once more.
Gardenias thrive as indoor plants in rooms with moderate temperatures—ideally, around 60 degrees at night and up to 70 or 75 degrees during the day—that are neither too hot nor too cold. A bonus is air that is comfortably damp. It is beneficial to run a humidifier in the space where the gardenia is growing when the heating system is on. If this is not possible, place the pot on a tray with water and pebbles. Spray an insecticidal soap like Safer’s on a gardenia right away if you spot even one mealybug there. Repeat each week, making sure to apply the soap solution thoroughly to all plant sections.
How do you maintain Monstera’s balance?
Right now, Monstera Deliciosa is a stylish and well-liked houseplant, and it’s simple to understand why. The room’s broad, glossy, dark-green leaves have a tropical feel to it, and under the correct circumstances, they develop swiftly. In fact, this plant’s potential for growing too large for some homes is one of its only drawbacks. When a Monstera grows large, it often tips over or leans to one side.
How can a Monstera Deliciosa be kept from leaning over? Staking a Monstera Deliciosa with a support like a moss pole, trellis, or garden stakes is the best way to keep it growing upright. These natural climbers can be trained to climb these poles by being connected to them, and they will be supported as they do so.
Although a Monstera won’t be harmed by not growing upright, most people like them to be as straight and tall as possible for aesthetic and spatial reasons. To help you keep your Monstera looking the way you want it to, I’ll go into further depth below why why this occurs in the first place.
How should a Monstera be braced?
Next, position the pole so that it lays between your plant and the plant pot’s rim.
Ensure that the stake’s bottom touches the pot’s bottom. This gives the pole stability and keeps your Monstera plant from causing it to topple over.
Firm the soil around the pole
This is a critical step because if the soil around the stake is not firmed up, the stake will become unstable and be vulnerable to squirming or toppling over when your plant is bearing down on it. It’s crucial to anchor the pole in its current location for this reason.
How are Monstera guided?
- Balance the sun’s and the shade’s intensity. The leaves of Monstera become yellow when exposed to excessive sunlight. The plant will display a condition known as negative phototropism, in which new leaves develop toward the darkness rather than the light, if kept in the dark. (It’s a really cunning trick: in the jungle, nighttime indicates the presence of a taller tree that Monstera can scale to reach the sun.) Indirect sunlight is preferable because this isn’t attainable in a living room.
- Water Monstera once a week, evenly and moderately. Prior to adding more water, allow the soil to become somewhat dry. Keep in a relatively humid setting.
- Avoid repotting too frequently and trim regularly by pinching off new growth to control excessive growth.
Scientists have proposed the following theories as to why Monstera leaves have holes: The ability to capture sunlight on the rainforest floor is increased, according to one idea, by this puncture. According to the other theory, it allows tropical downpours to pass through the leaves, preventing harm to the plant. This explains Hurricane Plant, another name for Monstera.
Note that some of our favorite indoor plants are native to the tropics. Check out Tropical Plants 101: A Guide to Planting, Care & Design for more information. More ideas for indoor plants can be found at:
How should a wild Monstera be handled?
Plant in a pot with drainage holes and peaty, well-draining soil. You should give Monstera deliciosa moss-covered support sticks or a trellis because it likes to climb and cling to big trees in its natural habitat utilizing its aerial roots.
You can trim the aerial roots if they get troublesome, but it’s better to simply tuck them back into the pot. They aren’t the kind of roots that harm surfaces or walls. When you can feel the top third to a quarter of the soil is dry, water it. During the spring and summer growing seasons, standard liquid plant fertilizer can be administered roughly once a month.
Washing leaves with a cloth dipped in a solution of a drop of dishwashing detergent in a few cups of water can keep them clean and dust-free. The plant also enjoys routinely wetting its leaves, while it is not necessary.
Transplant Monstera deliciosa to a new pot that is a few inches larger in diameter and depth than the old one when it outgrows its current one (every two years or so).
What causes my Monstera to topple over?
Due mostly to its spectacular leaves, the Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) is a common houseplant. Although they are simple to care for, these fellas do have one drawback: if they feel neglected, they have a tendency to pout, which may cause your Monstera leaves to droop. Don’t panic too much. They can quickly be persuaded to recover with a little loving attention.
The most frequent cause of drooping monstera leaves is dehydration. They prefer their soil to always be just moist enough. Other contributing factors include overwatering, poor lighting, issues with fertilizer, pests, or transplant stress. The most crucial step in restoring your plant to health is figuring out what the issue is.
How may sagging Monstera be avoided?
The Monstera prefers persistently moist soil. Make sure your plant is not being overwatered or overgrown. Water according to a regular schedule when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry.
You can see weak, drooping, and perhaps even turning dark leaves if you unintentionally let the soil on your Monstera plant dry out completely. A thorough soak is necessary if the soil is very dry over the entire container.
How to soak-water your Monstera is as follows:
- Without the saucer, put your plant in the sink or bathtub. Pour roughly 3 to 4 cups of water into your basin. Check to see if the water is warm.
- Give your plant at least 45 minutes to absorb water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot.
- After giving your plant a soak, feel the soil’s top to see if the water has gotten to the top 2-3 inches.
- If the soil on your Monstera doesn’t feel completely saturated, water it a little from the top to hasten soaking.
- Drain the sink or tub once the soil of your plant is evenly moist, and then leave it to rest while it completely drains. Put the plant back in its proper place on the saucer.
As a tropical plant, your Monstera will flourish in more humid conditions. By regularly spraying the leaves of your plant, using a pebble tray, or placing a humidifier close by, you can raise the humidity level in the area around it.
How do you get a Monstera to start climbing?
One of the benefits of growing Monstera deliciosa inside for fans is its capacity to develop into a substantial cornerstone for a jungle-themed home. However, that expansion also creates some issues because a Monstera can quickly outgrow its allotted space. Large Monsteras typically grow outward, unlike other common houseplants with an upward, tree-like growth pattern (such the fiddle-leaf fig or rubber plant). Because of this, many people prefer their Monstera deliciosa to climb rather than trail.
How can I encourage Monstera deliciosa to climb? You can encourage your Monstera deliciosa to grow upright by providing a support system, such as a moss pole, coco coir pole, or trellis. This teaches the plant to follow its innate tendency to climb, which may result in a healthier plant with more leaves.
The good news is that Monsteras are designed for ascent. You can get this plant off the ground and out of the way if the correct circumstances and some encouragement are there. I’ll go through some specifics regarding how and why Monsteras are frequently observed climbing on moss poles throughout this article and provide you with advice on teaching this plant to climb.
What may I use as a Monstera’s support?
Bamboo stakes and coir or moss poles are the two most common types of garden stakes for indoor plants. Stakes made of bamboo are inexpensive, beautiful, and simple to handle. They are incredibly versatile and have thin diameters. Coir (coconut fiber) poles are made of hardwood bases covered in coconut husk and are noticeably thicker. Because the coconut husk is so absorbent, you may water right onto the pole and your plant will benefit from the humidity. Moss poles, which resemble coir poles but are typically covered with sphagnum moss, are another well-liked option.
Insert The Stake Into The Soil
Locate the parts of your Monstera that contain the thickest, heaviest stems and require the most support at the base (bottom). Once you’ve located these spots, dig a few little holes with a trowel and insert the stakes there. Make sure the stake is firmly planted in the ground and buried deep enough to prevent wiggle or sag. For further support, drive the stake all the way into the Monstera plant’s pot.
Utilize Support Ties
When staking plants, specific support ties are not required. You can use cloth strips, twine, or plant tie tape. Just make sure that you don’t connect the Monstera stems to the stakes too firmly so as to injure them. They ought to be firmly fastened but not choked.
About one to two inches above the point where the base of your plant meets the soil, start attaching your support ties. Your plant will be able to stretch upward more readily as it grows if it has more support at its base. Repeat the ties at several-inch intervals (about every three to eight inches, depending on the size of your Monstera).
And That’s That!
You’ll see an improvement in your Monstera’s overall form and health now that it has been staked, and its epiphytic nature will have more room to flourish. The future will be bright for you and your Monstera if you use our comprehensive care guide to keep your plant healthy over time and add more support ties or stakes when required.