Plant Care Monstera

Monstera

Reviewed by: Kiersten Rankel | Last Updated: 12/01/2022

4.8 out of 5 (1791 experiences)

Monstera has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves
Monstera has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

About Monstera

Monstera deliciosa is a species of flowering plant native to the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico down to Colombia. Both the root and leaf have a long history of use in traditional medicine. In Mexico, a leaf or root infusion is taken daily to relieve arthritis. In Martinique, the root is used in remedies for snakebites. 🤒 The holes in Monstera leaves let water drip close to the roots, and they absorb the scattered beams of sunlight that make it down through the forest canopy. Their fruit also tastes like a mix of pineapple and banana! 🍍🍌

Taxonomy

Monstera deliciosa
Monstera
Araceae
Alismatales

Also known as

Swiss Cheese Plant and Philodendron Monstera

How to care for Monstera

💦 Water

How often to water your Monstera

Water needs for Monstera
0.5 cups
every 9

Monstera needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Monstera

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Monstera in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Monstera: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Monstera may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Monstera in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Monstera

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Monstera: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Monstera after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Monstera
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Monstera is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Monstera →

Common Monstera Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Monstera prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Monstera Water Frequency →

Monstera Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Monstera may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Monstera Light Requirements →

Monstera Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Monstera is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.


💨 Humidity

Monstera prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Monstera Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Monstera does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Monstera →

When and How to Successfully Repot Monstera →


💩 Fertilizer

Monstera should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Monstera →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Monstera to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Monstera is native to Central America.


🌸 Flowers

Monstera produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Monstera is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

How and When to Prune Monstera →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Monstera can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Monstera Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

Monstera can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

  • Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
  • To get the cutting to root, you can either:
    • Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
    • Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Monstera, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Monstera

Monstera

Monstera


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Monstera has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 1551
Monstera has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 988
Monstera has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 725
Monstera has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 519
Monstera has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 130
Monstera has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 96
Monstera has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 46
@Gbrownie1 avatar
@@Gbrownie1
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 1,058 XP
04/09/2022

-Needs drainage
-Moss poles make it grow quickly
-likes bright indirect

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Fast grower Fast grower
@Tylaf679575 avatar
@@Tylaf679575
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 160 XP
globe Duncan, British Columbia
04/07/2022

Don’t over water…. Let dry out between watering a bit and don’t put in direct sunlight

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Browns easily Browns easily
@Miggiflo avatar
@@Miggiflo
leaf-1 9 Plants
xp 462 XP
globe Manila, Metro Manila
03/30/2022

Great and beautiful plant!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
@calvina avatar
@@calvina
leaf-1 65 Plants
xp 14,689 XP
03/22/2022

They are stunningly gorgeous and can be a centerpiece of any room. We’ve put ours through so much and they are still ticking, even when we thought there is no hope. They require some care, but fully worth every effort.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
Fast grower Fast grower
@natajack avatar
@@natajack
leaf-1 32 Plants
xp 2,361 XP
globe Austin, TX
03/19/2022

My favorite plant! 💕🪴

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
Rose avatar
@Rose
leaf-1 35 Plants
xp 1,095 XP
globe Byron, GA
03/13/2022

This plant is easy to care for, I follow the water recommendations from the App and I haven’t had any problems.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@LovingSunnyAZ avatar
@@LovingSunnyAZ
leaf-1 11 Plants
xp 7,634 XP
globe Goodyear, AZ
03/09/2022

Love my Monsteras! Always fun to see how the new leaves will unroll!!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily Blooms easily
@TaylorMdeBloomz avatar
@@TaylorMdeBloomz
leaf-1 42 Plants
xp 4,202 XP
03/06/2022

I love this plant. I really don’t do anything special to her. I just let her be and water when she is half way dry. Seems to like being next to my east facing window. I love her lush green leaves.

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@LovingSunnyAZ avatar
@@LovingSunnyAZ
leaf-1 11 Plants
xp 7,634 XP
globe Goodyear, AZ
02/27/2022

Beautiful lush green leaves!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@Yvette avatar
@@Yvette
leaf-1 36 Plants
xp 3,448 XP
globe Crowborough, England
02/24/2022

Such a lovely plant, excited to watch it grow. Easy to care for just water once soil dry.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@PlaneGuy avatar
@@PlaneGuy
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 110 XP
globe Castro Valley, CA
02/22/2022

Big but can be trained vertically if you stay on it as it grows. Build yourself a big moss pole. Plan for 6 ft. Can get brown tips if you are not regular with your watering but reasonably robust. Likes light a grow light over head works though I’ve had reasonable success with an “up light” grow light.

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@RealGinger avatar
@@RealGinger
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 68 XP
02/19/2022

10/10

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Fast grower Fast grower
@hellojennna avatar
@@hellojennna
leaf-1 8 Plants
xp 746 XP
02/15/2022

It’s a beautiful, long, lush plant. It’s not too finicky and fills my space perfectly

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
@samuelwines avatar
@@samuelwines
leaf-1 63 Plants
xp 1,406 XP
globe Brunswick, Victoria
02/06/2022

Monstera's are happy, until they're not. 😅 Definitely not a fan of Summer heatwaves and no air con. 🙅🏼‍♂️

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@ProLemon avatar
@@ProLemon
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 123 XP
globe Witley, England
02/06/2022

so pretty 😩

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Browns easily Browns easily
@ProLemon avatar
@@ProLemon
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 123 XP
globe Witley, England
02/06/2022

so pretty 😩

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Browns easily Browns easily
@PinguDog avatar
@@PinguDog
leaf-1 9 Plants
xp 1,919 XP
02/04/2022

Just a great plant ;);)

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@Tikannii avatar
@@Tikannii
leaf-1 9 Plants
xp 340 XP
globe Downey, CA
02/04/2022

Get a grow light and watch this baby grow!!!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@YveO avatar
@@YveO
leaf-1 106 Plants
xp 4,999 XP
02/03/2022

I love this plant that much that I actually have 3!!! Hoping to grow them over time and propagate more to share with loved ones as these can be expensive where I live!!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor

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