How To Care For Monstera Plant

Houseplants
Monstera Plant Care

Monstera plant, also known as Monstera deliciosa or Swiss cheese plant is a gorgeous philodendron that can make any space more beautiful. It has characteristic, split leaves that can instantly catch attention and enlighten your home.

In order to enjoy a Monstera plant, it is important to know how to care for it properly. Here are basic instructions on how to make your Monstera plant thrive:

Soil

Monstera plants prefer well-draining, peaty soil. Make sure that your chosen container had good drainage holes, because proper drainage is crucial to make your plants thrive.

Light

Monstera plant needs a lot of indirect light. This is the only way for it to form properly and to thrive. Plenty of indirect light will also make it grow properly. However, the light should not be too strong, or it might cause your plant to burn. Make sure that it is exposed only to the indirect light, except, perhaps, during the winter. From the October to February you might keep it in direct sunlight, since the plant is not actively growing during this time.

Water

You should water your Monstera plant once when you feel that the top quarter to third of the soil is dry to the touch.

Fertilizer

Monstera plants need fertilizer. A good one to use is a standard liquid fertilizer that you should apply once per month. Make sure to fertilize only during the growing season, in the spring and summer.

Toxicity

It is important to know that Monstera plant can be dangerous for pets. It is a toxic plant to dogs and cats. Pet owners are advised not to grow this plant in their home and to opt for a more pet-friendly option.

Propagating Monstera Plant

The best and most reliable method of propagation for Monstera plants is air layering. This is generally a more complex process for many plants, but it is worth it, because it is the best way to get more of those gorgeous plants.

To do propagation with this method, you will need some sphagnum or floral moss, clean and sharp pruning shears, twist ties and a plastic bag. To start, make sure to find a leaf growing out of a stem, with a short aerial root below it. Cut a small notch about 1/3 of the stem's diameter just below the root. After it is done, wrap the notch, aerial root and the node where the leaf joins the stem with 1 inch or 2 inch layer of sphagnum moss.

Once this is completely, make sure to moisten the moss and wrap it in plastic. Make sure that it's easy to open the plastic to check the root development. A good way is to secure the plastic with twist ties. You should keep the moss moist until the roots develop. Once they are developed, simply cur the stem and pot your new Monstera plant in the soil.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips on how to care for your Monstera plants:

  • Keep in mind that Monstera is a climber in its natural habitat: it uses its aerial roots to climb large trees. It means that you need to provide it with a trellis or moss-covered support sticks.
  • The aerial roots are not the type of roots that damage walls or surfaces. Water when the top quarter-to-third of the soil feels dry to the touch. Standard liquid plant fertilizer can be applied about once a month during the spring and summer growing season.
  • You should keep your plants' leaves clean by simply washing them with a cloth dipped in a solution of a drop of a detergent in a few cups of water. Whatever you do, make sure that the solution is not too strong: you should only add a tiny bit of the detergent.
  • The plant will appreciate regular misting. Mist the leaves to make your Monstera plant thrive.
  • You should transplant your Monstera plant about every two years, when it outgrows its current pot. When repotting, make sure to choose a container that is a few inches larger both the diameter and depth than the existing one.

Photo credit: Allegory Malaprop

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