The 10 Commandments of Monstera Deliciosa Care
Oh, the Monstera Deliciosa! She’s been enjoying a place in the spotlight lately, but Monsteras have long been a desirable and iconic plant for stylish interiors. This sculptural plant enjoyed wild popularity from the 1950s to the 1970s, and like most things retro, she is making her mark once more!
Monsteras radiate positivity, playfulness, and an aura of vibrant growth. What many plant enthusiasts don’t realize is that they are also a flexible, easy-going plant that can adapt to almost any environment- so shop with confidence and follow these simple commandments. Your Monstera will be a joyful presence for years to come!
1. A Place Near the Sun
The Monstera Deliciosa is tropical (native to Central America) so like many indoor tropical plants, they appreciate light and warmth, but don’t need a lot of direct light. Monsteras tend to do best in rooms where they receive bright, indirect light, but they can also adjust to medium levels. Again, they’re low-maintenance! Just be sure not to place your Monstera too close to direct bright sun. As with many tropical plants, this can cause a Monstera’s leaves to scorch.
2. Misty Mornings…In Moderation!
When warmer weather hits, many of us instinctively reach for our Evian atomizers. Your Monstera does not need to be misted, but they enjoy a touch of humidity from time to time. If you would like to bond with your plant through misting, limit misting to once weekly. Misting in the morning will ensure that the plant has time to enjoy the moisture before the temperature drops for the evening.
3. Don’t overwater!
We know, we know— we say this all the time, but don’t overwater your Monstera. Monsteras like to dry out between waterings, so plan on watering your Monstera only when its topsoil is dry. Which brings us to...
4. Get Used to Getting Dirty!
It’s tempting to want to schedule the things that are important to you (ahem, Google Calendar and constant Zooms.) But going based on a calendar- or a clock- is not the best way to keep track of when to water any of your plants.
This is where getting dirty comes into the equation. The Monstera Deliciosa wants to be watered only when its topsoil (the top 1-2 inches of soil, beneath the decorative moss) is dry. So check your Monstera by lifting up a bit of its moss, sticking your finger into the top 1-2 inches, and determining whether it is dry or still moist. If it’s moist, hold off on watering until it dries.
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5. Ga-Ga for Growth? Monsteras Like to Be Fed!
When the conditions are right, Monsteras can grow fast. And this may or may not be what you’re going for, but if you would like your Monstera to rise to meteoric heights, you can fertilize it 1-2 times a month in the warmer months of spring and summer. You can also feed it using gentle foliar feed (plant food that is misted directly on a plant’s leaves) year round.
6. Curling Leaves? Consider a Refreshing Shower.
Monsteras will occasionally experience curling leaves if they are not receiving enough water. You can remedy this by giving your Monstera a shower. Just take it out of its decorative pot (but keep it in the plastic nursery pot, or you’re in for something of a landslide) and place it outside or in a bathtub. Water it copiously, but let the water drain entirely before returning the Monstera to its ceramic pot.
7. A Little Haircut
It’s normal to feel trepidation about pruning (cutting leaves or stems off of your plant). However, it’s actually great to get in the practice of pruning your plants because pruning offers so many benefits to the plant’s overall health.
You can safely remove dead or dry leaves from your Monstera year round, by cutting them off at the base of their stem using sharp, clean scissors or shears.
Major pruning jobs (or “haircuts”) should be saved for the warmer spring and summer months, when your Monstera has the most energy to generate new growth.
Need a little more guidance on pruning your plant? See our step by step guide here.
Léon & George Monstera Deliciosa. Photo by Apt2B.
8. No Holes? No Problem!
If you notice that your Monstera does not have holes in some of its leaves, don’t worry! This feature can take time. You’ll likely find that when your young Monstera grows up a bit and pushes out new leaves, they’re wonderfully holey. If you love the swiss cheese look and want to encourage more holes, move it to a spot that receives brighter (but still indirect!) light.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Repot
Again, the Monstera Deliciosa is a prolific grower. Like a B-52 with a burgeoning beehive, they long to reach toward the light! So don’t be afraid to repot.
Monsteras are known for exhibiting aerial roots, and some may grow outside of the pot at any point in a Monstera’s life cycle. But when it’s time to repot, you’ll likely see that your Monstera’s stems have grown significantly larger, and their roots have as well. They may appear to flow outside of the pot at this point.
Follow the directions here under “Repotting” to safely and securely repot your Monstera.
10. Consider Supporting Your Monstera with Stakes
Like your favorite friend after happy hour, your Monstera can get a little floppy. It’s part of her charm! But it can also be controlled. If you’d like your Monstera to grow with a more pronounced vertical climb, you can stake the plant.
Bamboo poles make beautiful stakes, and nurseries and home improvement stores have great options for stakes that blend into the palette of the plant and won’t disrupt the aesthetic of your gorgeous Monstera’s foliage.
Read our full guide on how to stake the Monstera here.
Celebrate! The Monstera Deliciosa is all about positivity and joy.
In Feng Shui, Monsteras are renowned for bringing good luck (and even money!) to their owner. For guidance on all things Monstera, keep an eye on our blog, which features many posts on this beloved plant variety and is always being updated!
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