Monstera Plant care: Complete Guide To Growing Monstera
Monstera plants…
are beautiful tropical plants that are native to Central America. I mean how can you not fall in love with them!? They are a relatively easy plant to care for. Having the right monstera plant care routine in your back pocket will only keep your monstera bursting with new growth! How can you not be obsessed with those elegant splits in those big glossy leaves?
Monstera Plant Care Guide: Water, Light, and Humidity Needs
Water Your Monstera Plant Correctly
Water your Monstera plant once the first few inches of the soil are dry. Watering slow will help the roots absorb moisture and let the soil become evenly wet. Curling or yellowing leaves are a common sign that it needs to be watered.
Light Requirements for Monstera Plant Care
Bright to medium indirect light is what your monstera craves. Placing them in direct sunlight can burn their foliage. If you lack indirect sunlight you can substitute with an indoor grow light. This will help keep that new growth going.
Humidity Needs for a Healthy Monstera Plant
Keep your humidity levels between 65°F and 85°F. Monsteras prefer higher humidity levels, around 60%. If you struggle with this you can increase the humidity level by adding a humidifier or misting your monstera foliage every few days.
Fertilizing Tips for a Thriving Monstera Plant
Fertilizing every few weeks during the spring and summer will help new growth. To fertilize your monstera deliciosa plant, choose a balanced liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer.
Soil for Monstera Plant Care
Your Monstera plant will do best in potting soil kept consistently moist but drains well. Drainage is essential to avoid root rot. To get drainage, mix your potting mix with either perlite or shredded bark.
Staking A Monstera Plant
Staking a monstera is a great way to help it have new growth and give it good support to climb. In their natural environment, they grab onto other trees with their aerial roots to climb. Monsteras are climbers so staking is a must for this tropical plant!
How to Propagate a Monstera Plant
Propagating monsteras is a great way to choose the shape you want for it. It’s a natural way of pruning which helps stimulate new growth. Monstera plants are rainforest creatures and are naturally viny which makes them a great plant to propagate.
Yellowing Leaves in Monstera Plants
If your monstera’s lower leaves are turning yellow, has brown spots, or have small dark new leaves it’s being underwatered. Wet tips indicate that your soil is too wet so let it dry out more before you water it. If there is no wilting or rotting present you need to give your monstera some fertilizer. Pale leaf color with straw or colored patches means it’s getting too much direct sunlight.
Loss of Monstera Leaves
It is normal for the lower leaves of your Monstera plant to drop with age. If the leaves turn brown and dry before falling off then it’s too warm. Make sure your plant is not right beside a heat source.
No Holes in Monstera Leaves
If your Monstera plant is still young it’s normal for there to be no holes in the leaves. If it’s more mature lack of split leaves is due to a lack of light, cold breezes, too little water, and underfeeding. To help your monstera get enough nutrition put any aerial roots hanging out of the pot back into the soil. This helps grow more roots which will help absorb more nutrition. If you have other issues with your Monstera leaves click here for more help.
FAQ
Many questions come up when having a monstera plant care routine!
How do you care for a monstera plant indoors?
- Only water your Monstera when the soil has dried out.
- Place your Monstera in bright indirect light.
- Mist regularly (depending on the season) to encourage growth.
- Keep out of reach of children and animals.
- Clean regularly with a natural solution to keep the dust away.
How much light does a Monstera need?
Your Monstera can grow just about anywhere in your home! It tolerates low light but grows faster and becomes more dramatic in a spot with indirect bright light. That said, avoid strong, direct sunlight because it may burn the leaves.
Are Monstera Deliciosas easy to care for?
Monstera Deliciosa are a great plant for beginners. An easy plant to learn plant basics like water, soil, and light.
Does Monstera need to be by window?
Like other plants, it depends on you to provide it with the lighting conditions it needs to promote new growth and flourish. That means a Monstera plant needs light from a bright window for photosynthesis.
Can I put my indoor Monstera outside?
Monstera prefers a bright spot indoors, with indirect or morning sun only. It will also grow outdoors in a shaded and protected, frost-free spot. These plants are natural climbers, so provide them with a coir or moss-covered totem pole for support.
Have more questions about growing a monstera? Check out our other posts or contact us to get some extra advice!
