Monstera Care Guide: How to Keep Your Monstera Healthy and Happy

Whether you’re already a proud plant parent or just considering one, Monsteras are the ultimate jungle vibe, and they’re just as easygoing as they look.

With their iconic, holey leaves and impressive growth, Monsteras bring the drama and the greenery all in one.

But how do you make sure yours stays lush, vibrant, and happy? Let’s dive into this ultimate guide on Monstera care, filled with tips and tricks that’ll keep your leafy friend thriving.

Getting to Know Your Monstera

Monsteras are often referred to as “Swiss cheese plants” thanks to the natural splits, or fenestrations, in their leaves. These tropical beauties hail from the rainforests of Central and South America, where they climb up trees and soak in dappled light from the dense canopy.

The most common type you’ll see is the Monstera Deliciosa, but the adorable Monstera Adansonii is also another favourite. Knowing their natural habitat gives us a hint as to what they need: bright, indirect light, a bit of humidity, and a lot of love.

Light: Let There Be (Indirect) Light

Monsteras love light, but not just any light. Bright, indirect light is their sweet spot. Think of it as the kind of dappled light they’d get under a jungle canopy. A spot near a window that doesn’t get direct sunlight is ideal. Too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while too little light can make them look a bit sad and leggy.

If you notice your Monstera reaching towards the light or growing smaller leaves without splits, it might be a sign it needs a bit more brightness. Try moving it closer to a light source, or even treat it to a few hours under a grow light if you’re dealing with a darker space.

Watering: Finding the Sweet Spot

Monsteras are relatively chill when it comes to watering. They like to dry out a bit between drinks, so avoid the temptation to overwater! A good rule of thumb is to water once the top inch or so of soil feels dry. If you stick your finger in the soil and it feels dry up to your first knuckle, it’s time to water.

How much water your Monstera needs will vary with the seasons. During the warmer months, they’ll be a bit thirstier, but in winter, they’ll need less as they take a little break from active growth. Remember, Monsteras are more forgiving of a missed watering than a soggy, waterlogged soil situation. Too much water can lead to dreaded root rot, so when in doubt, let it dry out!

Humidity: Bringing the Jungle Indoors

As tropical plants, Monsteras love a bit of humidity, though they’re flexible enough to handle typical indoor conditions. In general, if you’re comfortable, your Monstera probably is too. If you want to go the extra mile, here are a few tricks to increase humidity:

Misting: Lightly mist your Monstera every few days, especially in the winter when indoor air tends to be drier.
Grouping Plants Together: Plants naturally release moisture, so placing several plants close together can create a more humid mini ecosystem.
Humidifier: If you’re really dedicated, a small humidifier nearby will make your Monstera feel like it’s back in the rainforest.

While they don’t demand rainforest levels of humidity, adding a little moisture to the air will make those leaves extra lush.

Soil and Repotting: A Solid Foundation

Monsteras aren’t fussy, but they do have a few soil preferences. A chunky, well draining soil mix is perfect. Think potting soil with added perlite or orchid bark to give it extra air pockets. This type of soil mimics the airy, slightly damp environment they love.

Monsteras are pretty fast growers, so expect to repot every one to two years. If roots start peeking out of the drainage holes or the plant looks like it’s busting out of its pot, it’s time for a bigger home. Spring is the best season for repotting, as Monsteras are naturally ready to burst into new growth.

Feeding: Fuel for Those Fabulous Leaves

During spring and summer, give your Monstera a little extra boost with a balanced liquid fertiliser every few weeks. Choose one that’s diluted to half strength to avoid any fertiliser burn on the roots. Feeding your Monstera helps it grow those big, split leaves and keeps it looking lush. During autumn and winter, you can ease up on the feeding as growth slows down.

Pruning and Training: Shape It Up

If your Monstera starts to look a bit unruly, don’t be afraid to prune it back. Monsteras respond well to pruning, and you can even propagate those cuttings (more on that in a bit). Trim any damaged or yellowing leaves, and cut back any stems that are growing out of control.

Monsteras are natural climbers, so give them something to climb, like a moss pole or trellis. They’ll happily send out aerial roots to latch on and grow upwards, giving your plant that impressive, jungle like look.

Common Monstera Problems and Solutions

Even the best cared for Monsteras can encounter a few bumps along the way. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide for some common issues:

Yellow Leaves: This can be a sign of overwatering. Check the soil and make sure it’s not staying too soggy.
Brown Leaf Tips: Low humidity or underwatering is usually the culprit. Try misting or checking your watering schedule.
No Fenestrations: Young leaves won’t have splits, but if your mature Monstera isn’t producing split leaves, it might need more light.
Pests: Keep an eye out for common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs. A gentle wash with soapy water or a natural pesticide spray can help keep these at bay.

Propagation: Share the Monstera Love

One of the best parts about owning a Monstera is that it’s super easy to propagate, so you can share the love with friends or grow your collection. Here’s how:

Choose a Cutting: Pick a stem with at least one node (the little bump where roots grow from).
Snip and Strip: Cut just below the node, then remove any lower leaves to give the cutting room to grow roots.
Water or Soil?: You can place your cutting in water and watch the roots grow, or plant it directly in soil.
Wait for Roots: In a few weeks, you should start seeing roots. If you started in water, transfer it to soil once the roots are a few inches long.

Before you know it, you’ll have a baby Monstera to keep or give away. It’s a win win for you and anyone lucky enough to receive a new plant friend.

Final Monstera Care Tips

To wrap it up, here’s a quick summary of Monstera care basics:

Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering
Humidity: Average to high, mist if needed
Soil: Chunky and well draining
Repotting: Every one to two years, as needed

Monsteras are resilient and forgiving, making them a fantastic plant for beginners and seasoned collectors alike.

With a bit of TLC, your Monstera will reward you with lush, jungle vibes that transform any room into a green oasis.

So get ready to watch those beautiful leaves grow, split, and make your space feel like a true indoor jungle.

Happy growing, and may your Monstera thrive!

Item added to your cart