Monstera Deliciosa's, also commonly known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, are some of the most popular and desired house plant today. These plants are fairly easy to care for, they can grow massive, and their dramatic fennestrations are jaw dropping. What's not to love!
Botanical Name: | Monstera Deliciosa |
Common Names: | Swiss Cheese Plant, Split Leaf Philidendron |
Family | Araceae |
Native Area: | Central America |
Potential Grow Size: | 10-15 feet tall |
Light Requirements: | Bright and indirect light |
Soil Requirements: | well draining peat-based soil |
Water Requirements: | Let dry between waterings |
Toxicity: | Toxic to cats and dogs |
SOIL:
Soil tends to be overlooked with Monstera’s but could easily be one of the most essential care steps. Monstera’s are susceptible to root rot, so they really need well-draining soil to keep their roots dry and happy between waterings. Any soil that allows for proper drainage will do.
WATER:
Since you want your Monstera Deliciosa to dry out a little before watering, it's easy to overwater. If you do not own a moisture meter, simply stick your finger into your plant's soil. If the top inch or two is dry, go ahead and give your monstera a drink. If the soil still feels moist, leave your plant alone for another couple of days. Root rot can damage your plant fast so it's always better to underwater versus overwater. On top of this, make sure your pot has plenty of drainage holes, allowing excess water to properly drain out. I like to keep my Monstera Deliciosa in its nursery pots for as long as possible before transferring it into a new pot. This way, I know my plant baby is not sitting in water!
LIGHT:
These lovely plants LOVE bright, indirect light. This being said, they're also very hearty plants and can survive in fairly low light. However, if you want your Monstera Deliciosa to get to the massive size in this photo, the brighter, the better. Just don't put your Monstera in direct light because this can cause its foliage to burn. Not fun for your plant and not pretty! Monsteras really enjoy temperatures in your home to stay between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is my Monstera Leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves, crispy-brown leaves, and wilting leaves are all occurrences that can happen with your Monstera Deliciosa for multiple reasons. Some of the most common are over-watering, lack of humidity, too little light or bright and direct light, and pests. Keep in mind that some yellowing in a monstera is fairly normal. However, if you're noticing an increase in yellowing or browning, the cause is most likely one of these issues. Look at our other blogs that address these issues specifically and how to handle them!
How much humidity does a Monstera Deliciosa require?
The best case scenario for the Monstera Deliciosa is a humidity of 60%-80%. If you're noticing leaves that look brown and crisp around the edges, try increasing the humidity and see if that helps.
How often should I fertilize my Monstera Deliciosa?
Fertilizer can be tricky if you and your plant aren’t used to it. When introducing your plant to fertilizer for the first time, I recommend being very conservative with it. Dilute it even more than what the fertilizer company recommends you do. Many people are passionate about fertilizer and which brand/type is best. However, we are all about easy plant care. So get yourself something that is easily accessible to you and use that! Just beware that if you over-fertilize your Monstera, it CAN burn the leaves which is a real bummer so be careful with it.
This completes the care guide for your Monstera Deliciosa! These are great plants that will leave you feeling happy every time you catch a glimpse of them. Hopefully, this guide sets you off to a great start with you and your plant baby. Get in touch below if you have any additional questions or if you just want to chat about plants. As always, stay planted my friends!
Comments