Monstera care
The “Swiss cheese plant”, with big leaves that split and get holes as it matures. (Monstera deliciosa)
- Light
- Bright, indirect light
- Water
- Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry…
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
Care card
Light
Bright, indirect light: near a window but out of strong midday sun.
Water
Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry, then let the extra drain away. Never leave the pot standing in water.
Humidity
Likes some humidity. Keep it away from heater vents.
Soil and pot
A light, well-drained potting mix in a pot with a drainage hole.
Feeding
Feed every month or so in spring and summer with a houseplant fertilizer at half strength. None in winter.
Through the year
Spring
New growth starts. Begin feeding again, and repot if roots come out of the bottom.
Summer
Water more often as it grows. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun through glass.
Autumn
Growth slows. Stop feeding and let the soil dry a little more between drinks.
Winter
Water less. Keep it away from cold windows, drafts and radiators.
Common problems
Yellow leaves
One older bottom leaf turning yellow can be ordinary aging. Many yellow leaves at once, especially if the mix is still wet, means the roots are sitting in water. Let it dry further and make sure the pot drains.
Watering a monstera
Wait until the top of the mix is dry, water thoroughly, and discard the runoff. A weekly soak in a dim room is often too much. A light pot and slightly drooping leaves are a better cue than the calendar.
Brown edges
Dry air or a long gap with no water can crisp the edges. A little brown on an old leaf is common. If the brown is soft and the soil is wet, treat it as a watering problem, not a misting problem.
Leaf trouble?
Why houseplant leaves turn yellow
Several yellow leaves at once usually mean the roots are staying wet. Feel the…How often to water a houseplant
There is no single weekly schedule. Water when that plant's soil says so, then…Brown tips and crispy edges
Brown tips usually mean dry air, a pot that dried out too far, or minerals in…Drooping houseplant leaves
Droop can mean thirst or roots that are too rotten to drink. Feel the soil…Fungus gnats and other small pests
Fungus gnats breed in mix that never dries. Letting the top layer dry, and…Background
Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron, is a species of flowering plant. The common name "Swiss cheese plant" is also used for the related species from the same genus, Monstera adansonii. The common name "split-leaf philodendron" is also used for the species Philodendron bipinnatifidum.
From Wikipedia’s article Monstera deliciosa, by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More leafy tropical plants
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: toxic and non-toxic plants Pet safety
- Wikipedia: Monstera deliciosa Background