Monsteras are easy to care for and have moderate needs for water, sunshine, and temperature. For information on how to maintain the health of your plant, see their care instructions below.
Light: A monstera’s leaves must receive the proper quantity of sunshine to grow. Put it in a location where it will get filtered, indirect light. A monstera plant can develop yellow or burned leaves from too much direct sunshine. Keep an eye on your plant since you might need to rotate it if you notice that its leaves are reaching for the sun.
Water: When the top few inches of soil are dry, you should water your plant. To determine how dry the earth is, stick your finger into it. Since excessive moisture might cause root rot, monsteras like peaty, well-draining soil. Over time, these plants can also develop aerial roots. These roots can either be placed in the soil or covered with wet sphagnum moss to ensure they receive plenty of water.
Temperature: The monstera plant prefers 68–86°F temperatures in a typical room. This plant will thrive in a similar tropical, humid environment because it is native to tropical rain forests. If you reside in a dry climate, misting your monstera deliciosa once a week will improve the humidity around the plant.
Toxicity: The larger species is not recommended for pet owners due to the poisonous nature of all portions of this plant, with the exception of the ripe fruit. Choose a miniature species, such as the M. deliciosa borsigiana, that you can store high on shelves to keep curious animals away from nibbling. Because of the calcium oxalates in its sap, the plant can cause skin irritation when touched and stomach problems if consumed. As long as you avoid ingesting any plant parts and handle it with extra caution, it is still safe to have in your house. To learn more about what on do if a piece of a monstera is consumed, look at our guide to dangerous plants.
Pests: Mealybugs, scales, aphids, and spider mites are frequently found under the leaves of monstera plants. To maintain them clean and free of dust, wipe their leaves down roughly once each week. Their glossy, dark green leaves remain healthy thanks to this regular upkeep. If you do discover little creatures in your plant, you can get rid of the pests by wiping them off with a mild dishwashing solution or a moderate insecticide.
Problems: As we previously indicated, if your plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, the leaves may not grow properly. Move your monstera to an area with more lighting if you see that the leaves aren’t splitting properly.
If Monstera deliciosa plants are malnourished or overwatered, their leaves may become yellow. If this occurs, wait until you can feel the earth drying before watering your plant again. Replace the soil in your monstera’s pot if the issue continues. If none of those remedies work, you can feed your plant some homemade fertilizer or plant food to restore the health of its leaves. Checking to see if the leaves are “sweating” is one technique to distinguish between the two; this is another indicator of overwatering.
Low humidity and dry air can cause brown leaf tips or edges. To fix this, spritz your plant once each week or have a humidifier close by.
Repotting: Large plants, like monsteras, require repotting every two years to support their expanding root systems. To give your monstera more area to grow, use a pot that is a few inches taller and wider than the one you previously used. To maintain a moderate size, you can regularly trim back its leaves, repot it less frequently, or leave it in the same pot. For more detailed repotting advice, see our guide on repotting a plant.
Air layering is a typical technique of monsteras’ propagation. Continue reading to learn how to achieve this.
Put a layer of moist flowery or sphagnum moss over the notch, root, and node where the leaf meets the stem in this location.
Wrap the moss in plastic loosely enough to allow you to monitor the roots while also keeping it secure. With string or other connections, you can fasten the plastic and moss together.
With simple care instructions, monstera deliciosa plants are a gem to have in your home. Maintaining your monstera will make the plant happy and earn you tons of compliments.
What temperature is too low for monsteras?
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 hot should it be for a Monstera plant?
Most home temperatures will allow the Monstera to flourish, but 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit is optimum. Even though they can endure temperatures as low as 50°F, growth will be halted.
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 soil’s moisture content should always be checked as the initial step. 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!
What environmental factors favor monstera?
PRO HINT: Monsteras love to climb up vertical surfaces because they are climbing plants. Use pegs or moss sticks to direct your Monstera’s growth upward if you prefer it to grow tall rather than wide.
A tough and simple-to-care-for species of flowering plant native to southern Mexico and Panama called Monstera deliciosa is also known as the “Due to the distinctive growth of ridges and holes, or fenestrations, on its more mature leaves, the Swiss cheese plant is called that. The “The fruit that the plant produces in its native environment, which resembles a pineapple, gives the plant its deliciosa moniker.
A warm, humid environment with plenty of water and soft sunlight are preferred by monsteras. Put your Monstera in an area with indirect light that ranges from moderate to bright. Even though it can tolerate lower light levels, you can notice lanky growth as a result, so the optimum location is a few feet away from a window that faces the south, west, or east and provides brilliant indirect light.
We offer a guide on how to measure light in your environment if you are unclear of the lighting conditions in your house or place of business.
Only the most mature leaves of the Monstera typically develop the distinctive splits, and even so, only under optimal circumstances. Just wait if yours has plenty of light but no splits.
Do Monsteras enjoy the outdoors?
Yes, it does, which is why I find it difficult to maintain mine under house arrest.
The warmth, humidity, and light that they can find outside will be perfect for Monstera deliciosa. A season spent outside may be very beneficial if you’re looking for those enormous, fenestrated leaves.
Your Deliciosa might be alright outside if you live somewhere with dry air (look for crispy edges and sluggish unfurling), but your Adansonii probably won’t be.
It’s important to think about how secure your garden is because they’re also quite desired. A stolen plant is not likely to be of any concern to the police.
Additionally, I don’t want to go through the hassle of acclimating your monstera. However, the mention of enormous, fenestrated leaves is incredibly appealing.
I often place my monstera outside. It’s wild how much faster it grows outside, but I have to move it about my garden to keep it out of the sun.
It still has an unusual thrip, but I’ve since discovered that plants with pests generate hormones that call for beneficial insects to feed on the pests. Awesome.