Everything You Need to Know about Monstera Care
Monstera, also known as the “Swiss Cheese Plant”, is a tropical plant from the Araceae family. Its name, as one might guess, comes from the Latin meaning “abnormal” because of its odd-looking, perforated leaves that are often punched through with holes. This eye-catching climbing evergreen is a popular, easy-to-grow houseplant, and a favourite of many interior designers for both residential and commercial spaces. Check out our Monstera collection.
Monstera Care
Monstera thrives all year-round. As a houseplant, this plant is easy to grow and maintain. Outdoors, however, you need to live in the right warm and humid environment for it to thrive. Let’s discuss Monstera care in details.
Light
Monstera prefers bright, indirect sunlight. This is a tropical plant and would thrive well if you can give the light it requires. Make sure to avoid too much direct sunlight as it may cause the leaves to burn. As the Monstera is near the ground in nature, it can tolerate low light but this will make it grow much slower. The plant needs light to be able to grow. Outdoors, the Swiss cheese plant can grow in the full shade to semi.
Soil
Monsteras like moist soil, but don’t deal with wet soil very well. To help give the Monstera the right amount of moisture to thrive in, you should use well-draining soil. You can avoid letting water sit at the bottom of the pot by choosing a pot with a draining hole at the bottom. The soil will retain all the water your Monstera needs to thrive, but any excess will be drained out of the bottom. This helps you avoid over-watering and root rot.
Water
Monsteras are tropical plants which means they are used to sit in the moist soil. It needs to be watered as soon as the top layer of the soil is wet. It’s best not to let the soil dry out too much because its leaves will start to droop. Give the plant regular watering during the growing season every one to two weeks. Water until excess drains through drainage holes. Do not put the excess water back into the plant’s container because the plant has taken all the water it needs. To increase humidity indoors, mist the foliage using a spray bottle of demineralized water or rainwater.
Temperature and Humidity
Monsteras love humidity. They thrive in high humid places because it resembles their native environments. Because of this, it’s a great idea to mist your Monstera every day.
Apart from humidity and light, Monstera also loves warmer temperatures. 18°C-30°C. It’s best not to let it go below (15°C). Normal house temperature will work as wonders for many houseplants, including Monstera. The only thing you should think about when taking care of a Monstera is that you shouldn’t put it too close to a cold draft.
Fertilizer
Monstera does not require lot of fertilizer. If needed or desired, use a balanced liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season for indoor plants. Dilute 1/2 teaspoon of the fertilizer in a gallon of water. Use the diluted fertilizer in place of a regular watering. Pour the mixture into the soil until it begins to flow out of the drainage holes. Throw out the excess diluted fertilizer because the plant has taken what it needs and cannot use the extra that it drains off.
Common Problems
- Symptom: Root rot
Cause: Over-watering/water logging. - Symptom: Browning Tips
Cause: Dry soil. - Symptom: Yellow leaves
Cause: Dry soil. - Symptom: Wilted leaves
Cause: Under-watering/over-watering. - Symptom: Leaf Burn
Cause: Exposure to direct sunlight.
Monstera care is not that hard as it’s one of the easiest plants to grow. The plant will tell you what it wants and needs.If it’s too dry, it’ll get brown and crispy edges on its leaves and if it gets too much water, the leaves will turn yellow. By recognizing the signs the plant shows you, you’ll be able to take care of it without too many problems. Even if you’re new to taking care of houseplants.
Monstera care reference: TheSpruce, PlantCareForBeginners