Similar care must be given to an indoor and outdoor Monstera, respectively. If a Monstera is potted, it should be placed indoors for the winter to prevent any cold-related deaths.
Outdoor Monsteras prefer shade to sunlight. While some sunlight is acceptable, it’s preferable to stay away from any direct sunlight that could burn or damage the plant’s leaves. A Monstera planted outdoors may ultimately sag into direct sunlight, as I previously said, but that is alright. The plant has the ability to adjust as needed. But because they haven’t had the chance to adjust in this way, vacationing Monsteras must be kept out of the sunshine.
Outdoor-grown monsteras require constant watering, especially in dry climates. If the Monstera is placed next to other plants, watering will be less of an issue because the combined roots will better absorb moisture. However, potted Monsteras will need to be watered and checked frequently, especially during the warmest part of the summer.
Pest infestations, particularly thrips, are more likely to affect monsteras kept outside. If your Monstera will be spending the winter indoors, keep this in mind. Unwanted guests can be removed with neem oil or an organic insecticide, but an infestation requires careful attention and frequent inspection.
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.
What degree of heat can Monstera withstand?
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.
Adjust Position for Optimal Lighting
The less sunlight your home receives each day in the Winter, the further you are from the equator.
Your Monstera will slow down and undergo a pseudo-dormancy throughout the colder months due to shorter days and diminished sunlight (not a true dormancy like deciduous trees do when they lose their leaves in the Fall).
Make sure your Monstera receives as much sunshine as it can without getting a sunburn if you want it to be happy.
Keep your Monstera two to three feet away from a south-facing window throughout the winter (or north-facing, if you live south of the equator). This made it possible for your plant to receive ideal, indirect light.
Consider purchasing a grow light if your room lacks adequate lighting. You’ll need to conduct further study because the cost can vary depending on how complex a system you design.
Although a lack of light is not an emergency right away, it will eventually impede a Monstera’s growth and make it etiolated or “leggy.”
Can my Monstera plant be left outside?
The majority of my following are Americans, but since I know many people from similar climates are interested in this information, I’ll utilize the USDA hardiness zones so that everyone has a point of reference.
Since the UK doesn’t see many extremely cold spells, temperatures below 6 are more common in upland regions like the Scottish highlands. The majority of the UK is 6, and if we dip into the negative double digits, it makes the evening news. Not too hot, not too cold, and definitely not for too long.
You may definitely place your Monstera outside in the summer, but I wouldn’t suggest doing so with variegated varieties because they are far more likely to catch fire.
If you properly adapt Monstera Delicia to the outdoors, bring them inside at the first sign of cooler weather (a frost will easily kill them), and keep an eye out for pests, they’ll be OK.
If you reside in zone 10 or 11, feel free to plant your Monstera outside; it will flourish.
In the summer, can I leave my Monstera outside?
A home cannot replicate outdoor circumstances, even though a Monstera may be content to live there. A Monstera can benefit from more natural settings and grow even larger when left outside in the summer.
The sunshine outdoors will always be greater than the light inside, and if you don’t take care, it could hurt a Monstera deliciosa. However, because the plant now has access to more resources, the additional light may also encourage it to grow more leaves. Additionally, this increase in sunshine is beneficial for promoting growth in barren places.
There is an added benefit to placing a Monstera outside during a light rainfall because rain is the ideal way to water practically all plants. In addition to providing naturally filtered water, rain also cleans the leaves by removing accumulated dust and dirt.
Although it is frequently thought of as the one drawback of placing a plant outside, the wind is ideal for cleaning the plant. Similar to rain, a light breeze can also blow debris off of the leaves.
Does your Monstera need to be rotated?
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.
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.
The lowest temperature that a Monstera can withstand is what?
Monstera Deliciosa, also referred to as Monstera or Swiss Cheese Plant, is a stylish and resilient plant. The Monstera, which was popular in the 1950s and 1970s, has lately made a reappearance and is now a mainstay in hip cafes, shops, and restaurants. It gives practically any area a touch of vitality with its large emerald foliage.
These plants can survive through the winter in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit while being native to jungle conditions. They require watering every few weeks and thrive in regions that are somewhat shaded and receive indirect sunshine.
Should I bring my plants inside at what temperature?
Depending on the type of plant, you should decide when to bring it inside. However, it’s important to keep in mind that many common flowering container plants (such as begonias and hibiscus) are truly tropical natives and dislike chilly nights. A chill can significantly slow down an organism’s growth, even if it doesn’t kill them.
When nighttime temperatures begin to fall below 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it is preferable to bring indoor plants (12-15 C.). Look for pests that may be hiding in the soil of container plants before bringing them indoors. For 15 minutes, immerse each pot in warm water to force any insects or slugs to the surface. If you notice a lot of activity, spray your plant with an insecticide and repot it.
This is also an excellent time to repot any of your plants that are outgrowing their containers.
The plants that require the most light should be placed in windows that face south or under grow lights when you bring them inside. Plants that require less light can be placed in windows that face east or west. The light will probably be dimmer than it was outdoors no matter where they go. This shock may cause some leaves to turn yellow and fall. But after it adjusts to the new light level, your plant ought to produce fresh, wholesome leaves.
Water your plants less frequently than you did when they were outdoors so that less of it evaporates. On the other hand, the air inside your home is probably less humid. This issue should be resolved by setting your pot on a dish on a layer of gravel that is maintained consistently moist. Simply watch out that the water level in the gravel doesn’t rise above the level of the container or you run the risk of root rot.
Can a freeze kill Monstera?
But let’s return to our initial query right away. So, could you please inform me how cold Monstera plants can tolerate?
The typical indoor temperature for monsteras is between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius).
Having said that, they do not enjoy severe conditions, whether they be exceedingly cold or incredibly warm.
The majority of monsteras can endure chilly temperatures down to 50 °F (10 degrees Celcius).
However, cold temperatures are not good for monsteras because they will cause stunted growth.
How cold is too cold for palms?
Tropical flora include palms. Therefore, it is not surprising that they can withstand extremely warm temperatures up to roughly 100 °F. But how resilient are palms to the cold?
The growth of your palm will be adversely harmed (= will grow considerably slower) if the temperature falls below 64 °F (18 °C). However, palms can tolerate colder temperatures as well.
The majority of palms can tolerate moderate cooling, but they prefer warmer conditions.
How cold is too cold for philodendrons?
However, philodendrons adapt fairly well to changes in environment, including temperature. Other indoor plants are less tolerant in this aspect (Crotons come to mind).
Philodendrons thrive at warm to moderate (room) conditions, which range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 27 degrees Celsius).
Actually, no. As tropical plants, philodendrons typically cannot endure chilly temperatures.
Your Philodendron, however, is not just at risk from chilly temperatures. Find out what else is crucial while taking care of philodendrons is concerned:
The following list includes some of our favorite philodendron species along with maintenance instructions: