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 degree of heat can a Monstera withstand?
Almost area in your house is a good place to plant Monstera! It can withstand low light, but develops more quickly and dramatically in an area with bright indirect light. Having said that, stay out of direct, bright sunlight as it could burn the foliage. Use a grow lamp if you don’t have access to an area with the right illumination for your Monstera.
When the top 5075 percent of the soil is dry, water your Monstera. Pour water into the pot until it begins to drain through the drainage hole at the bottom, then drain any excess water into the saucer.
Almost any atmosphere will be favorable for this plant, but if you want to give it a particular treat, spritz it once a week with a Mister. The water will have plenty of time to evaporate before dark if you spritz your Monstera in the morning.
The ideal temperature range for your Monstera is between 60 and 80 degrees. Under 55 degrees or sharp decreases in temperature are intolerable to it. In the winter, stay away from direct heater airflow and cold drafts.
Feed your plant once a month in the spring and summer for best results, using our All Purpose Fertilizer (20-20-20). To promote growth and root health, a little food will go a long way. Giving your Monstera a chance to relax during the cooler months of the year is vital since fertilizer is not required throughout the winter.
Both humans and animals are slightly poisonous to monstera leaves. Ingestion frequently results in tongue and stomach discomfort, as well as potential vomiting.
Massive leaves may attract dust. To maintain the leaves clean and healthy, use microfiber dusting gloves to wipe them down whenever you see that they are dusty or soiled. Monstera plants like to climb in the wild. You can use a moss pole or a dowel to stake wild offshoots of your Monstera in order to encourage it to grow upward. Make careful to use clean, sharp Plant Snips while trimming your Monstera.
My Monstera may I plant 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.
What climatic conditions 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.
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!
When does Monstera deliciosa become too cold to grow?
Monstera plants, which are native to tropical areas, demand moderate temperatures and high humidity levels of 60 to 80 percent. Between 68F and 86F is the best temperature range for a monstera indoors.
They can, however, still grow and thrive at slightly lower temperatures and humidity levels of 40 to 50 percent. The plant’s growth will slow down below 55F. Lower than 50F temperatures could shock and harm the plant.
The Best Location for an Indoor Monstera
If given insufficient light, monstera plants can become lanky and unwell, and if given excessive direct sunlight, they can quickly scorch.
A monstera should be grown in an area with daily exposure to bright, filtered/indirect sunshine for about 6 hours. Place your monstera close to a window that faces south or southwest or in front of a sheer curtain-covered window.
Avoid These Dangers for Indoor Plants
Be careful not to plant your monstera where it will be exposed to drafts of chilly, hot, or dry air. Aside from preventing drafty windows and doorways, pay attention to the way your HVAC vents are blowing.
How to Monitor Indoor Humidity and Temperature
We can keep the temperature in our houses at a stable, pleasant level thanks to HVAC systems. However, depending on the time of year and the environment where you live, humidity can vary greatly. When the heater is on regularly throughout the winter in a cold area, the interior humidity can quickly fall below 30%, causing hot, dry air to fill the entire house.
But you won’t know what level your home’s humidity is at without a reliable instrument for monitoring indoor humidity. Thankfully, a device called a hygrometer may be used to gauge interior humidity. Just keep in mind that humidity fluctuates from room to room within your house. Therefore, you should inspect each area where tropical plants like monsteras grow.