A Brief History:
The Monstera deliciosa is native to the rainforests of Central America and Mexico and has a history rooted in ancient culture and modern admiration. Indigenous communities valued it for its beauty and edible fruit (which is deliciosa)! The name "Monstera" stems from the Latin word "monstrum," referencing its large, unique leaves. "Deliciosa" highlights the sweet and delightful taste of its fruit. Over time, it has become a cherished houseplant worldwide, known for its iconic split leaves and distinctive appearance. While the Monstera Deliciosa is known for its large, beautiful, fenestrated leaves, it needs proper care and support to achieve its natural look when being cared for indoors. Overall, I'd rank this as a good beginner plant for any new plant parent as they are quite forgiving and create a beautiful statement piece when they grow larger!
Care Information: Caring for a Monstera deliciosa indoors involves replicating some of its natural habitat conditions to encourage healthy growth. Here are our tips to help your monstera deliciosa grow big and beautiful in your home!
- Light: Provide bright, indirect light. A balance of light and shade mimics the plant's native environment. I place my monstera about two feet from an east-facing window to receive bright morning sun and shade for the remainder of the day. If you do not have a window with enough space or light, don't worry! These beautiful plants do well under a full-spectrum grow light to supplement sunlight.
- Watering: Monsteras are heavy drinkers but do not like having their "feet wet" if they're not in leca. When watering a soil planted monstera, allow any excess water to drain completely. You do NOT want standing water in the bottom of the pot. If your monstera is in leca, go nuts! It doesn't matter how high my reservoir is, they drink it all up. I recommend allowing the reservoir or soil to go completely dry before watering again.
- Humidity: Monstera deliciosa thrives in high humidity and you will hear folks advising you to mist your plant or place a humidifier near it. This is not necessary as the plant will acclimate to your environment. Misting raises humidity for only a few moments and adds risk of fungal diseases. Trust me on this one; I spent an embarrassing amount of money on humidifiers before realizing it wasn't necessary.
- Temperature: As tropical plants, the monstera deliciosa enjoys a warm environment. Average household temperatures are just fine for this plant. The plant may struggle if temperatures are below 65°F (18°C) or above 90°F(32°C). Ensure it is not close to air coming straight from a heater or air conditioner vent.
- Soil: In my experience, a monstera deliciosa will tolerate most soil conditions, but some work better than others. They do best in a chunky Aroid mix for soil and leca for semi-hydroponics. If you will be using standard store-bought potting soil, amend the soil with additional perlite for drainage in a 1:1 ratio. You can also use one of each equal-sized bag of soil and orchid mix. The orchid mix includes chunky bark, ensuring good aeration and drainage. Having holes in the bottom of your pot will provide necessary drainage and airflow. For an eco-friendly option that doesn't get hydrophobic, looks for coco-based substrates!
- Fertilization: The monstera deliciosa is a heavy feeder! Most potting mixes include some fertilizer, but I've found these plants benefit from adding more during each watering. I use fertilizer at half-strength year-round for every watering if in soil and full-strength for every watering if in semi-hydro. The only time I do not fertilize is when the plant shows signs of stress or shock.
- Pruning: Pruning is not required, but you can trim dead or yellowing leaves to maintain the plant's appearance. Simply follow the leaf stem down and cut it near the base with disinfected clippers. I like to wait until the leaf dies and falls off, as it would in nature. You can also choose to trim the aerial roots, but I recommend directing those roots down towards the substrate so the plant can help support itself. You will hear lots of bloggers recommend trimming the small "sucker" leaves near the base, but this is not necessary for a healthy growing plant.
- Support: As the plant grows, it will definitely require support and doing this from the beginning can save you a lot of headache later on! A moss pole, plank, stakes, or a trellis can help it climb, mimicking its natural growth pattern. The earlier you provide support, the better your plant will look as it grows. This plant needs strong support and good lighting to produce those beautiful fenestrations and big leaves! Use a velcro plant tape so that you can easily adjust for bigger stems later on.
- Repotting: I have found that monsteras like to be root-bound and snug in their pots. You should only repot if you have to water more than twice weekly. Roots coming out of the bottom is not a good indication to change the pot size. When you choose to repot, ensure the new pot is only 1-2" larger than the root ball (or previous pot).
- Propagation: Propagate by taking stem cuttings with at least one leaf node. You can identify the node by finding a little raised lump near the stem's base, which can sometimes be hidden behind a leaf. I rub my finger around the stem until I find it, as they are not easy to see! You must clean clippers with alcohol before each cut to ensure no bacteria is added or spread. Allow the cutting to air-dry for 30-90 minutes so the "wound" can callus over to prevent bacteria entry and rot. Then, you can place your cuttings in a clean vase of water. Change water every few days and wait until you see secondary roots before transplanting.
- Pests: Keep an eye out for common pests like spider mites and mealybugs. These are very hardy plants, but regular cleaning of the leaves is essential to ensure healthy growth and prevent pest problems.
- Toxicity: Monstera deliciosa is considered mildly toxic. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children to avoid ingestion.
By understanding the basic care of your monstera deliciosa, you can foster its growth and longevity indoors for years to come!
Happy Growing!
xoxo, Amber