Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, Mexican breadfruit, or hurricane plant, Monstera deliciosa is recognizable by its large, glossy green leaves with deep splits and holes. Like most houseplants, it’s native to the tropics, hailing from the rainforests of southern Mexico and Central America. While it rarely flowers indoors, outdoors it produces flowers that develop into edible fruit that is said to taste like a fruit salad. The solid green variety is by far the most common, while the beautiful speckled white and green Monstera deliciosa variegata is slower-growing and more rare.

Light

These indoor plants can handle low light, but if you want them to grow faster and produce larger leaves, provide medium to bright indirect light. In a north- or east-facing window, you can place them close to access more sun, or you can keep them out of reach of direct light in a south- or west-facing window. 

Water

Monsteras are easy to water, and generally, doing so once a week will keep your plant happy. The key is making sure the soil is dry prior to watering. Before you water, stick your finger a couple of inches into the soil. If it’s dry, you’re good to go. If not, wait it out. When you overwater the plant, its roots will be sitting in water—something that can cause the leaves to turn yellow, or worse, kill it due to root rot. Aside from regular watering, you can also mist your monstera in the morning a couple of times a week, which ups the humidity (something tropical plants love!).

Temperature

The Monstera will grow in most household temperatures.

Humidity

All species in the Monstera genus benefit from higher humidity levels. The best way to increase humidity is to add a humidifier to your room. Trays filled with pebbles and water can help increase the humidity immediately around your plants or try grouping your indoor plants closer together. 

Fertilizer

This houseplant likes to be fertilized during their active growing season, fertilize plants monthly with a general purpose water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20 applied at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water for outdoor plants and 1/2 teaspoon of water per 2 quarts of water for indoor plants. 

Pro Tips

1. Rotate your Monstera to promote a full, balanced indoor plant.
2. When you are trimming the houseplant, cut under the node (swollen nodule where the leaves and aerial roots form) in order to propagate a new plant!
3. Always check the leaves (top and bottom) during your care sessions. Check for unwanted guests (pests and diseases)