Did you know that Monstera plants can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors if they’re happy? That’s one big plant you can grow at home. These easy to care for plants are great for beginners and will add character to any home. Originally from the tropical climates of Central America the Monstera Deliciosa, is also known as a Swiss cheese plant because of the distinctive leaf style that looks a bit like cheese with holes. Working out how to look after a Monstera indoors isn’t tricky as they need minimal maintenance to thrive.
Even those these gentle giants are easy going you need to get things right when caring for your Monstera. This article covers it all for any beginner Monstera parent, including:
- How Much and How Often To Water Your Monstera Deliciosa?
- Humidity Levels
- Fertilizing Your Monstera
- Repotting and Soil Needs
- Pruning and Supports
- Common Pests
Basics of Monstera Care Indoors
Monstera Deliciosa is known for being a fairly hardy plant, but like all living things, it has its preferences. Warmth, humidity, and direct yet dappled light is the preference of the Monstera plant. The key to caring for your Monstera indoors is paying attention to its signals.
They can grow into a statement piece for your living room if you get the basics right. That’s why they’re such a hit on social media, everyone loves showing off the massive, holey leaves on their plant in the living room.
Lighting Needs for Indoor Monstera Plants
These plants thrive in bright, indirect yet partial light. In their native tropical environment, they would have trees above them and light would filter downwards, the big leaves are the result of them growing in this environment. If placed in direct sun there’s a chance the leaves of this plant will burn and go brown at the edges. If placed somewhere with too little light the leaves will begin to turn yellow. Working out how to get the perfect placement to look after your monstera indoors may involve some trial and error. You need to find a spot where they get sunlight without it being too much for the Monstera’s delicate leaves.
Rotating your plant every few weeks is also key to keeping the large stalk growing straight. All the leaves need sunshine, so if only one side is getting sun your Monstera may begin leaning toward the light.
You can also tell if your Monstera isn’t getting enough light by looking at the size of the new leaves. If they’re smaller than the older ones, it’s usually a sign your plant is craving more light.
Finding the right spot in your home may take a bit of trial and error, just be mindful and observant of your Monstera’s behaviour so you can make adjustments to make sure it thrives in your home.
How Much and How Often To Water Your Monstera Deliciosa?
They key thing to remember when watering your Monsteras is that they like their roots to dry out between waterings. Always let the top 2 inches of soil dry out before you water again. You can check how often to water with your finger or a tensiometer, which is a relatively inexpensive tool to measure soil moisture tension to help you look after your Monstera indoors.
You want to give your Monstera water until it comes out of the drainage holes at the bottom of your pot. Using a watering can add water to your plant slowly to help it to absorb the water in the best possible way. If you are looking for a rough rule of thumb for a watering schedule indoors, you’ll be looking at roughly every 1-2 weeks. Always check your plant before watering though, even if you are following a schedule.
The time of year affects how much water you need to give your Monstera. During the spring and summer growing season your Monstera will be thirstier, so check it weekly. But in the fall and winter, you’ll probably be looking at fortnightly watering, possibly longer.
Remember to always use a pot with drainage holes for your Monstera Deliciosa. You don’t want water sitting at the bottom of the pot because it’ll just suffocate the roots.
The best water to use for your monstera is filtered water or tap water left to sit out for 24 hours to let the chlorine evaporate.
Humidity Levels
Monsteras thrive in humidity levels around 60% to 80%. Frequently misting your leaves, roughly every couple of days will help to keep your plant humid, just don’t do too much. Less is always more when introducing water into your plants environment, and wilting is always easier to fix than overwatering. This is an important thing to remember as a beginner plant parent learning how to look after your Monstera indoors.
If you don’t want to use a spray, consider grouping your plants together. Plants naturally release moisture, so when you clump them together, they create a little humidity bubble.
Another option is to invest in a small humidifier for your Monstera but this is not always practical. Keeping your Monstera in a bathroom is an option or putting a small tray of pebbles with water under but not in the pot. As water evaporates it creates the humidity the monstera enjoys.
If you’re not sure about the humidity levels in your home, a hygrometer can measure this in your home. They are available on Amazon cheaply, and will help you keep track of when things are getting too dry for your Monstera.
Fertilizing Your Monstera
Fertilizing your Monstera once to twice a month during spring and summer growing season works wonders for getting lush green tropical leaves. The plant is naturally working at its hardest to grow during this time, so this is when the nutrient boost is most needed. In the winter, you may only want to fertilize every other month, or even stop completely.
Always remember to water your Monstera before applying any fertilizer and then follow the manufacturer instructions no matter what type of fertiliser you choose. Organic fertilizers are a great option for natural plant care. Things like worm castings or compost work really well, though they’re a bit slower to release nutrients.
If you’re a “set it and forget it” kind of plant parent, slow-release fertilizer pellets are a good option too. You just sprinkle them into the soil, and they’ll break down over time.
A good tip for beginners is to keep an eye on your Monstera for signs it needs feeding. This can include leaves start looking pale or smaller than usual, or growth stalling. This is all signs of a plant needing more nutrition. Observing you plant is a good way to learn plant care.
Repotting and Soil Needs
Repotting your Monstera can feel like a big, messy task, but it’s important if you want it to keep thriving. Monsteras need repotting about every 1-2 years, or whenever you notice their growth slowing down. If you see roots poking out from the bottom or the soil is drying out too fast, it’s time to give your plant a bigger home.
Ideally, you want to go up one pot size. If you get a much larger pot in an attempt to prevent having to repot in the future you risk water pooling around the roots. This is a clever idea when you are working out how to look after your plant indoors, but it can damage your Monstera. Then to resolve the problem you’ll end up repotting again sooner anyway.
When it comes to soil, Monsteras need a well-draining mix, something that’s going to keep their roots aerated. A mix of regular potting soil that is a bit on the peaty side, with some perlite, and orchid bark is about right, although some people like to use coco coir for extra moisture retention. The perlite keeps things light, and the bark helps mimic their natural environment.
The actual repotting process can be a bit of a wrestling match. These plants get big and they have aerial roots. Watering your Monstera a day before repotting makes the soil easier to work with and helps the plant recover quicker.
Once you’ve got it out, gently tease the roots apart, especially if they’ve started circling the pot. Place it in the new pot, fill in with fresh soil, and give it a good watering.
After repotting, it might take your Monstera a few weeks to adjust. Don’t panic if you don’t see immediate growth as repotting can be a bit of a shock.
If you ever notice mushy, black roots when you’re repotting, you’re dealing with root rot. You can try to save your plant if you catch it early. Trim off the rotten roots, repot in fresh, well-draining soil, and cut back on watering.
Pruning and Supports
Pruning is good for your plant’s health, encouraging new growth. Normally within a couple of weeks you will start to see new growth after pruning your monstera. Just remember to always start small when you prune.
The main reason to prune your Monstera is to remove dead or damaged leaves, which can attract pests or disease. If your Monstera is getting leggy, with long stems and fewer leaves, pruning can also help redirect its energy to healthier growth.
Aerial Root Support
Aerial roots are meant to climb and support the plant in its natural habitat. You don’t need to prune them, but you can without hurting your Monstera. You can use a trellis to give your Monstera roots something to cling to, as they can be a way of your plant getting more moisture. The roots look pretty cool when the plant starts climbing and stops the roots getting in your way and looking like a mess.
Height Support
If your Monstera is getting tall and unruly, adding a moss pole or some support may be needed. The trellis may work for both height and aerial root support as the Monstera does seem to enjoy climbing. Height support not only helps with the plant’s structure, but it also encourages bigger leaf growth. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different supports, you can even make your own if you’re feeling crafty.
Common Pests
Regularly check your plant, especially the undersides of the leaves for pests. The earlier you catch them, the easier they are to deal with. Here are three of the most common pests that you can get in Monstera Deliciosa:
- Mealy bugs: looks like white fluff on the leaves and stem.
- Scale: Little bumps on the stem.
- Spider mites: tiny webs on the plant.
You can use neem oil to treat all three varieties of pest. It’s a natural option with an unusual scent but it will usually solve the problem. Mix with water and some dish soap and then spray down the plant. Focus on the affected areas but spray the whole plant: leaves, stem, even the soil. You’ll need to repeat the process a few times over a couple of weeks.
Conclusion
Mastering how to look after a Monstera indoors can feel like a bit of a rollercoaster at times but once you get into the groove of things, it’s a rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like watching new leaves unfurl or seeing those iconic holes (fenestrations) appear on your plant as it grows.
Monsteras have a way of making you feel like a proud plant parent, especially when you see them thriving under your care. So don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and figure out what works for your specific environment. Every Monstera is different, just like every home, so you’ll have to tweak things along the way.
