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 you allow Monstera in bedrooms?
AMAZING DELICIOUS With its striking Swiss-cheese-like leaves, it’s low-maintenance, easy to maintain, and certain to stand out in any room of the house.
Which way should a Monstera be facing?
The proper lighting is one of the most crucial aspects of developing a gorgeous, healthy monstera. To do this, you must become familiar with the signals that your monstera wants more light.
In general, monsteras thrive beside a bright window where the sun’s rays don’t directly hit the leaves since they enjoy bright, indirect sunlight.
Frequently, an east- or south-facing window is the ideal location for a monstera. Windows that face north may not be light enough, but they are still far better than nothing! and a window facing west can bring in too much direct, warm afternoon light.
Your monstera will let you know if it doesn’t have enough light. The warning signals that your monstera needs more light are listed below.
How should I arrange the Monstera in my bedroom?
If you are fortunate enough to have a bedroom that receives a lot of bright, indirect light, your options for adding plants to the space are pretty well endless. Plants that want the most light—such as citrus trees and pelargoniums—should be placed close to windows, followed by those that can tolerate more shade—such as the Cheese plant and Ficus—further away.
How about a corner for my Monstera?
It is simple to identify Monstera Deliciosa, also known as the Mexican breadfruit, Swiss cheese plant, or hurricane plant, thanks to its glossy, extravagantly big leaves and the diversity of holes and splits that they have.
The Monstera plant is typically grown at home, but it actually comes from the tropical rainforests of Southern Mexico, where it blooms and produces a fruit that is absolutely edible and can be added to any salad.
However, Mostera Delicions will find it quite challenging to produce a flower when grown indoors. The majority of the time, Monstera Deliciosa plants are entirely green, but there is a particular kind with white flecks that looks even more lovely.
For human ingestion, this plant is poisonous in all forms (excluding the plant). Additionally, according to the ASPCA, Monstera plants are extremely hazardous to both cats and dogs.
Despite the fact that the Monstera Deliciosa plant is all around us, we can trace the origins of its household friendships to the early 1950s, when enthusiast Henri Matisse first had the notion to cultivate it indoors.
For flower lovers, monstera plants appeared to be perfect.
It only needs a large, well-lit spot to fit inside, and its strong, tropical leaves make any room appear beautiful.
Monstera Deliciosa care: Tips for future owners
The typical, indoor temperature is ideal for Monstera Deliciosa plants (68-86 degrees Fahrenheit). They also favor high humidity, regular air filtering, and indirect sunshine exposure. Of all, nature is Monstera’s natural environment, so you can grow this plant outside as well.
How can I tell whether my 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!
How close to a window should a Monstera be?
In that case, the following optimum lighting settings will help you maintain the lovely, full appearance of your Monstera Deliciosa:
- Next to or nearby a window with transparent curtains facing South, Southwest, or West for some strong, indirect light (keep in mind, they cannot handle full sun so the curtains keep the leaves from getting burned by the sun)
- Approximately 5 to 10 feet away from a window with no curtains facing the south, southwest, or west.
- next to a window with a north or east view
The leaves of Monsteras become split (or fenestrated) as they get older; the more light they receive, the larger and more fenestrated the new leaves will be. Although they do mostly develop with age, these splits become more obvious as the plant gets happier.
Advice: Buy or construct a moss pole for your plant to train on and grow up on if you want to spoil it and make it very happy.
Watering Requirements
Water the plant thoroughly until water is pouring out of the drainage holes, usually every 7 to 10 days, in the spring and summer when you see the top of the soil appears dry and the first few inches of soil are dry to the touch. So that water reaches the entire root ball, aerate the soil beforehand. If the plant is in a decorative pot, make sure all the runoff is poured out before letting it sit in water since this might cause root rot.
You can cut back on watering throughout the winter months because plants tend to become dormant in our chilly climate. Watering should only be done every two weeks, or when the majority of the soil is dry. Winter is the best time for pests to establish a home, so remove the leaves more frequently by wiping or dusting them.
One thing to keep in mind is that your plant will want more water the more light it receives, and vice versa. Your plant will require more water than the Monstera planted in what I described as a lower light position above if it is located in a location that receives very bright light. When watering your plant, keep it in mind and modify your watering.
It’s also a good idea to give your plant a shower every other week, whether you do it in your shower or outside with the hose. This not only hydrates the plant but also cleans those enormous, gorgeous leaves of any dust and any pests. Additionally, it enables some moisture to get to the aerial roots, which are long, brown, woody vines that sprout from various stems and vines of the main plant.
Humidity
As a result, if you have the time and desire to put up the work, you can:
- Put the nursery pot on top of a bed of wet rocks to raise the humidity level in the area around the plant.
- Put a glass of water next to the plant; this has a similar effect.
- In the summer and winter, mist each leaf once a week.
Without this humidity, you might see some browning at the leaf tips, but this is normal and your plant is fine.
Fertilizing
When it comes to fertilizer, monsteras are not particularly fussy, and they don’t require it very frequently. Through the Spring and Summer, fertilize once a month; after that, during the Winter, do not fertilize. Use a standard home plant fertilizer that is available at any greenhouse, garden center, or plant store!
Common Pests & Problems
Thankfully, Monsteras are mostly not troubled by pests, although they can nevertheless occasionally destroy your life. The following are the most typical pests and issues that a Swiss cheese plant may encounter:
- Any indoor plant may become infested with fungus gnats. They manifest when the soil is still damp and the air is dry, which is difficult to prevent throughout our winter. A few remedies include mixing apple cider vinegar and honey in a shallow basin to trap them, sprinkling the soil with a solution of one part peroxide to four parts water to kill any larvae, and placing strips of sticky fly paper near your plants.
- Thrips – You may have a thrips infestation if new leaves are developing in an abnormal way, leaves appear bleached, or leaves have yellow patches or are otherwise yellowing (not simply the older leaves that are withering off). After removing any severely damaged leaves and washing the entire plant—especially the leaves—and letting the leaves and stems air dry, treat the entire plant—including the stems and vines—with a neem oil mixture or a thrips spray you may buy from a garden supply store.
- Yellow foliage – When the soil is damp and the leaves aren’t turning yellow naturally as they age, this is frequently a symptom of overwatering. You can wait for the soil to dry completely before watering the plant again, but if the leaves are yellowing alarmingly quickly, you should repot the plant.
- If the edges of the leaves are brown and crispy rather than simply turning brown with age, the plant is likely waterlogged or there may be a salt buildup. Start drinking more water and switching to filtered, distilled, or rainwater.
- Whenever the plant appears wilted, it may be time to repot your Monstera. Check the roots of the plant after removing it from the nursery pot. It’s time to repot them into a new container if they are all coiling up at the bottom. Do not repot it into anything larger as that will provide too much space for the plant and cause it to sit in too much wet dirt. Instead, put it in a nursery pot one size up from the existing one (for example, if it was in a 6 pot, plant it into an 8 pot, etc.).
Good luck with your new plant after all that! The plants in your home will quickly resemble a jungle because of how quickly they grow.